NBA Playoffs Odds - Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics

We all know NBA Playoffs betting can be tough, but who knew it could be this tough? I don’t know what was stranger about the end of Game 4. The fact that Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu were playing tight defense in the fourth quarter…or that Fat Baby Davis hit the game winning shot. I’ve always given Davis a hard time as being “too fat to dunk” but he’s been tenacious on the playoffs. Makes me wonder how he keeps up the weight playing with that kind of energy, but I’m not Dr. Metabolism. So now we stand with a series that is far better than we though it would be.

It’s not that I underestimated the defending champs. Ray Allen, The Truth and Rondo are a formidable tandem and everyone is filling in to the niche that KG left when his knees fall apart. Boston has turned in to a backcourt team, with Rondo and Allen combining for over 37 points per game. My failure in this series was overestimating Orlando.

Let's have a look at tonight's big NBA Playoffs game:

Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics
Tuesday, May 12th, TD Banknorth Garden, Boston at 8:00pm EST
According to BetUS Sportsbook the NBA betting line is Boston -2 (192.5)

Orlando has averaged 101.0 points per game, boasted an intimidating starting-five, with all of their starters posting double digits on average. Dwight Howard has emerged as a definitive All-Star and earned Defensive Player of the Year this season. What I don’t they can do, however, is close the deal.

Leadership begins at the top, and I already burned Stan Van Gundy at the top for Orlando’s lack of discipline. Rafer Alston isn’t helping, and the chatter around the league is that Jameer Nelson would be rocking the playoffs had he survived the gauntlet of the NBA regular season. With Alston running the offense, and Van Gundy consistently exploding on the sidelines, I don’t think Orlando has the staying power to last.

And that doesn’t mean I’m putting Howard on the cross. I just don’t think he’s learned how to lead yet. This team is looking a lot like the Sacramento Kings in the Chris Webber days. All flash, no leadership and no sustainability. Hey, they even have Hedo! They can kill you from the perimeter, have some inside presence, and depend on the play of the point guard first and foremost.

NBA Betting Trends
-Orlando is 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games
-Orlando is 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games on the road
-the total has gone UNDER in 5 of 7 of Orlando’s last 7 games against Boston
-Boston is 7-15 ATS in their last 22 games at home
-Boston is 13-2 SU in their last 15 games at home
-total has gone OVER in 4 of last 6 when Boston plays in Boston against Orlando

With a lack of discipline comes a lack of consistency. Especially on the road (just ask Atlanta). That’s why I’m taking the home steady Celtics to put the Magic in to a deficit when the Banknorth Garden explodes tonight. Getting the role players involved in to crucial moments in the game have been crticial, and that’s exactly what’s happening.

Bet Boston heavy tonight. They won’t let you down.

NBA Free Pick: Boston -2 (OVER)

Check out the current NBA betting lines now and bet on all NBA Playoffs games at BetUS, where you will always have home court advantage.