Posted on
5/7/2008 1:50:10 PM
NBA Playoffs Betting Free Picks – Magic to Take Action against Pistons
By Eric Williams
The experienced Detroit Pistons, (65-25 SU, 51-38-1 ATS, 39-50-1 O/U) have the young Orlando Magic, (56-33 SU, 53-33-3 ATS, 39-48-2 O/U) dazed and on the ropes and come into tonight’s Game 3 matchup seeking to deliver what would pretty much be the knockout blow by taking a commanding 3-0 lead in their second round online betting playoff series.
Orlando, on the other hand, is looking to bounce back from a close loss in Game 2 in the BetUS Sportsbook that they feel could have turned out much differently had they kept their poise down the stretch.
"We made some bad decisions and some tough shots down the stretch, and got away from playing the way that we had played when things were going well," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said.
The Magic committed a whopping 19 turnovers against Detroit’s vaunted defense.
"When you turn the ball over you aren't giving yourself a chance, and we just have to do the little things like that, as well as not letting them get the offensive rebounds," Orlando point guard Jameer Nelson said. "There are just some things that we need to take care of. We have great competitors in this locker room that compete really hard, and we just turned the ball over."
Though the Magic lost Game 2 to the Pistons on Monday, the team found its often spectacular shooting touch, draining seven consecutive three-pointers in the third quarter, before cooling off in the final period by going 1-for-9 from downtown.
"That's what they do - that's the scary part of playing this team," Pistons coach Flip Saunders said. "They go through runs of making 3's where you're saying that it's never going to go in. And I'm sure in the fourth quarter (Van Gundy) was saying, 'Are we ever going to make another one?"'
Orlando may be due for some good luck after getting robbed on a three-point call by the Pistons Chauncey Billups to end the third period in Game 2, that the NBA said on Tuesday, should not have been ruled a basket as it came after a clock stoppage that extended the period, allowing Billups to launch his shot.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my NBA Wagering Free Picks:
The Pistons are 5-0 ATS in their last five games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
The Pistons are 4-0 ATS in their last four games following a S.U. win.
The Magic are 5-1 ATS in their last six games as a favorite.
The Magic are 4-1 ATS in their last five Wednesday games.
The Under is 4-0 in Pistons last four road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
The Under is 8-1 in Magic last nine when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
The Home team is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
The Pistons are 10-3 ATS in the last 13 meetings in Orlando.
Analysis: While the Magic have struggled immensely against the Pistons this season and are ultimately going to lose this series to their superior Eastern Conference foes, I like Orlando to win tonight’s contest and cover the spread narrowly, backed by a raucous home crowd and some fine offensive play from one of the league’s sixth-best scoring team this season, (104.5 ppg).
NBA Free Picks: Magic – 3½ Points/ Over 186 ½ Total Points
08:05 PM EST NBA Odds
Detroit Pistons +3½ -110
Orlando Magic -3½ -110
Over 186½ -110
Under 186½ -110
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