Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic

We are well into NBA playoffs betting and things are heating up. When I saw Rafer Alston slap Eddie House upside the head, my instant reaction was utter joy. I mean, I hate Eddie House. Nobody over-celebrates a nine-point stat line better than Eddie House (of course he’s a perfect bench player, I just hate he plays for Boston…obviously I’d love him if he played for my favorite team). Then the handi-capper in me started thinking, “Wow…Jameer Nelson wouldn’t have done that”. When Rafer Alston was being interviewed in the locker room, you could tell that he had just wiped tears from his eyes. He knows he screwed up big time and has let down his new team and the Orlando betting faithful that back him every night.

Point-guard is the most impossible position to replace. That’s why Orlando dealt for Alston in the first place when they lost Nelson. That’s why Boston took a big chance on Starbury. That’s why Detroit fell apart after the Billups-Iverson trade. Orlando managed a huge win when the lost Dwight Howard. But losing a point-guard is like losing a quarterback. Sadly, Alston was the Cassell to Nelson’s Brady. That “get of jail” card has already been used by the Magic.

According to BetUS Sportsbook the NBA Betting Line is Orlando -4.5 (189)

Alston’s suspension is a huge hit for the Magic. Courtney Lee isn’t at perfect health yet. J.J. Reddick. And now a dangerous trend is evolving in Orlando. It seems that they aren’t disciplined. Turkoglu and Reddick have both been ejected in the playoffs. Howard and Alston, two starters, have been suspended for one game a piece.

It all starts at the top, and Stan Van Gundy is loveable but man he can’t keep his mouth shut. He’s volatile, and his fiery, uncontrollable temper is percolating through the roster. I’m not saying he’s a bad coach. You need a mean streak to be successful to some degree. But you need to exercise control.

NBA Betting Trends
-Boston is 17-6 SU in its last 23 games
-The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 6 games
-Boston is 7-1-1 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
-The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games on the road
-Boston is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Orlando
-Boston is 17-6 SU in its last 23 games
-The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 6 games
-Boston is 7-1-1 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
-The total has gone OVER in 4 of Boston's last 6 games on the road
-Boston is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Orlando

And that’s where Boston excels. They lost their second best player in KG to an awful knee injury. Now look at them. Ray Allen is becoming the MVP of the team. The Truth is carrying them on his back. And Rondo has inserted himself as the fourth musketeer. Boston is going to hold the court by teaching the Magic a stern lesson in discipline as they steal a game in Orlando to go up in the series.

NBA Free Pick: Boston +4.5 (UNDER)

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