Posted on
5/9/2008 8:42:31 PM
NBA Furious Playoff Pick 2008 – Magic Hope to Even Series in Orlando
By Tim Furious
Detroit Pistons (59-23) vs. Orlando Magic (52-30)
Saturday, May 10th --- Amway Arena, Orlando --- 5:00pm EST
Series: Det 2-1
NBA Betting Line: Orlando -4.5 (187)
Rashard Lewis pulled a “J.D. Drew” on Wednesday, pouring in 33 points in a breakout performance. He’s averaged nice numbers during the season, but he finally (somewhat) justified his billion dollar contract. Orlando crushed the Pistons 111-86 in a turnaround performance in Game 3 of this sports betting matchup in front of a rabid home crowd. Now they’re steady online gambling favorites heading in to Game 4, with a -4.5 point handicap.
What might be killing the Detroit Pistons even further is Chauncey Billups’ right hamstring injury. If he’s anything less than 100%, I’d suggest the Pistons betting faithful to hold their breath for a moment. Billups pours in 17.5 points per game, second-best on the squad, but he’s also the point-guard for a dangerous and effective offense. Without him, it’s hard to imagine the Pistons offensive engine running smoothly.
Orlando is a lethal team at home, going 4-1 ATS and 5-0 SU in their last five home games. Though they are 5-8-2 ATS in the last 15 games when playing Detroit, that should not be a concern. Orlando is a great team to get on at home because they are primarily a shooting team, and those types of teams tend to play much better at home.
The OVER has been a safe bet in this match-up because it has been pushed 4-of-5 between Orlando and Detroit. However, without Billups, I would stick wit the UNDER. I just don’t see the Pistons putting up a mountain of points with Billups not being able to run. And for those of you that say, “he’s a warrior” and all that jazz, a hamstring injury for any athlete is a brutal injury to overcome. It impedes your ability to run. And with a team puts the ball in motion around the perimeter, defense is going to be a tough measure.
NBA Furious Picks: Orlando -4.5 (UNDER)
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