Posted on 2/11/2008 5:25:39 PM

NBA Basketball Betting – Cleveland at Orlando

By Charles Jay

WHO: Cleveland Cavaliers (28-22 SU, 23-27 ATS) at Orlando Magic (32-20 SU, 32-19-1 ATS)

WHERE: Amway Arena in Orlando

WHEN: Monday, February 11 at 7 PM ET

BetUS NBA basketball betting odds: ORLANDO -8.5, Total 196.5

In the HEAD-to-HEAD NBA betting trends:

* ORL has covered the last five meetings

* ORL has won four of the last five meetings SU

* Ten of the last 15 meetings have gone OVER the total

* Four of the last five meetings have gone UNDER the total

* CLEV has covered four of the last six meetings as the visitor

* ORL has won 10 of the last 13 meetings SU as the home team

* Twelve of the last 16 meetings in Orlando have gone OVER the total

Cleveland is 28th in the NBA in shooting percentage. And the Cavs are dealing with injuries right now, as Drew Gooden and Daniel Gibson are listed as questionable for this game. Also:

* CLEV has covered two of its last six game

* CLEV has won 14 of its last 19 games SU

* CLEV has won and covered six of its last eight road games

* CLEV has played eight of its last 12 road games UNDER the total

Orlando operates at a +3.2 point differential in its home games. The Magic is shooting almost 47% for the season, and averages 20.2 assists per game. Also:

* ORL is 2-3-1 ATS in its last six games

* ORL has won eight of its last 11 games SU

* ORL has played four of its last five games OVER the total

The Cavs surprised us the other night with a win at Atlanta. But they're coming from one of those made-for-TV matchups against Denver, in which they were so thoroughly beaten that only two Cleveland players reached double digits in scoring. And that presents a problem that has plagued this team - who is going to lend offensive support for LeBron James?

Meanwhile, Orlando has rested since Friday. The Magic came out on the short end of a 117-113 decision at the hands of the Lakers on Friday, giving up 36 points to Kobe Bryant and 30 to Pau Gasol. Now they have had the weekend to think about it. By and large, Orlando has not been nearly as successful at home as they've been on the road, but the Magic has improved its play at Amway Arena in recent weeks, covering five of their last eight outings.

On the surface, Cleveland may do okay in the matchup department. Orlando's guards are not defensive stoppers, and they do not possess great size. And neither Hedo Turkoglu or Rashard Lewis are in much of a position to slow down LeBron. But minus Anderson Varejao, Cleveland does not have much in the way of reinforcement to deal with Dwight Howard, who rambled for 35 points and 16 rebounds in the last meeting between these two. Is there any evidence that he's going to be stopped now, especially as Drew Gooden, a "power" forward, had to sit Sunday's game out? Keep in mind the Orlando has covered the last five encounters with the Cavs.

We'll lay the points with the Orlando Magic, the 8.5-point favorite in the BetUS NBA basketball betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: ORLANDO

You’ll find the latest 2007-2008 NBA odds and lines in the best online sportsbook, BetUS.com. Betting on NBA player and game props makes every aspect of the game exciting. Join BetUS.com today to bet on the NBA and make online sports betting work for you!

(Charles Jay of www.eBookies.com is a freelance writer and handicapper who not only can make his shots from the top of the key, but also contributes with gusto to the BetUS Locker Room)