posted February 26, 2008 at 19:23 in NBA Betting Trends

While the Orlando Magic, (36-22 SU, 36-21-1 ATS, 29-27-2 O/U), didn’t pull off a major transaction at the trade deadline, the Magic have been one of the steadiest teams to wager on in the league this season and come into tonight’s contest against the New Jersey Nets, (25-31 SU, 22-33-1 ATS, 25-29-2 O/U) riding a two-game winning streak, including a solid 112-93 victory over the mediocre Sacramento Kings on Sunday.

The Nets meanwhile, have thrived since trading point guard Jason Kidd, winning two of three with young lead guard Marcus Williams and athletic swingman Richard Jefferson leading the way.

The Nets beat the Indiana Pacers 102-91 on Saturday led by Jefferson’s 36 points, 24 from Vince Carter and another steady outing by Williams.

Magic center Dwight Howard is averaging 18.3 points and 15.0 rebounds in three games against the Nets this season and scored 26 points on 10-of-13 shooting against the Kings.

Orlando is 6-4 in its last ten games both, straight up and against the spread while the Nets are 5-5 in their last ten games both, straight up and against the spread.
Here is a look at tonight’s Key Trends, followed by my NBA Free Picks.

The Magic are 5-1 ATS in their last six Tuesday games.
The Magic are 4-1 ATS in their last five after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
The Nets are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
The Nets are 8-17-1 ATS in their last 26 home games.
The Over is 6-1 in Magic last seven road games vs. a team with a losing home record.
The Under is 6-0 in Nets last six home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
The Under is 5-0 in the last five meetings.
The Favorite is 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings.

Analysis: While the Nets are playing solid basketball and are fighting for their collective postseason lives as the eastern conference’s seventh seed, I don’t think they have nearly enough firepower down low to contain Howard. While I say take the Magic to cover the spread by a whisker tonight, I also like the ‘Over’ in this matchup even better with both teams being just marginal defensively.

NBA Free Picks: Over 203½ Total Points/Orlando-5 Points

07:35 PM EST

Orlando Magic -5 -110
New Jersey Nets +5 -110
Over 203½ -110
Under 203½ -110

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