Posted on 12/27/2007 1:20:20 PM

NBA Basketball Betting – New York vs. Orlando

By Charles Jay

The New York Knicks (8-19 SU, 12-15 ATS), at team that has seen its share of controversy this season, hits the road on the day after Christmas to hook up with the Orlando Magic (18-11 SU, 20-9 ATS), who have slowed down a bit after their hot start, in an NBA game slated ofr 7 PM ET tipoff at the Amway Arena in Orlando.

In the BetUS NBA basketball betting odds, the Magic is an 11.5-point favorite, with the total listed at 200 points.

In the HEAD-to-HEAD NBA basketball betting trends:

* ORL has covered seven of the last nine meetings

* ORL has won six of the last nine meetings SU

* four of the last six meetings have gone UNDER the total

* NY has covered seven of the last ten meetings in Orlando

The last meeting was on November 9 at Madison Square Garden, and the Magic won 112-102 as a one-point underdog.

The Knicks average 94.1 points per game and give up 101.8. That's a minus-7.7 point differential per contest. Opponents are shooting a robust 48% from the field, but the Knicks do a pretty good job on the boards, garnering 13.1 offensive rebounds per game. Even so, Garden fans still want to fire Isiah. Also:

* NY has covered four of its last six games

* NY has played five OVERS in its last seven games

* NY has covered two of its last eight road games

* NY has lost ten of its last 11 road games SU

* NY has played four OVERS in its last five road games

Orlando has averaged 102.9 ppg, but only 94 ppg in its last three contests. The Magic started the season with 16 wins in its first 20 games, but has won only two of its last nine. This is a perimeter team, with nine 3-point shots per game. But they also have one of the NBA's premier big men, Dwight Howard, who leads the league in rebounding (at 15 per game). They currently hold first place in the NBA's Southeast Division. Also:

* ORL has covered 15 of its last 22 games

* ORL has covered three of its last nine games

* ORL has covered one of its last five home games

* ORL is 2-7 SU in its last nine games

All of a sudden, Orlando is in a not-so-comfortable position atop the Southeast Division, with the Atlanta Hawks breathing down their necks. The Magic was put in place by Boston three nights ago, 103-91, and previously, they lost to Utah 113-94, at which time ripped into his team for being too soft. "We're absolutely frightened of contact," he said. "We don't screen anybody; we don't block anybody out."

Dwight Howard is obviously an exception, with 25 double-doubles on the season. He represents a meaningful advantage against a Knicks team that, save for David Lee, is pretty soft itself. Orlando's backcourt is something of a concern - the Jameer Nelson-Keith Bogans-Keyon Dooling trio scored just 16 points against Boston.

Orlando has not necessarily been a bargain at home, but we'll recommend them in a bounceback role against a New York team that does not defend well and has failed to crack 41% in three of its last four games. It's the Magic, the 11.5-point favorite in the BetUS NBA basketball betting odds.

BetUS NBA betting odds: ORLANDO -11.5, Total: 200

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 TotalActionExtra.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)