NBA Basketball
2011-01-26 - Orlando Magic at Indiana Pacers
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NBA Basketball
Wednesday 26 January 2011 - Tip-Off 7pm ET
Midnight (British Standard Time)
Preview
Dwight Howard was supposedly disappointed with the teams effort in their surprise loss to the Detroit Pistons, a game in which they were favoured by 12 points. The Orlando Magic (29-16) will be looking to bounce back here against a suddenly struggling Indiana Pacers (16-25) team.
The Magic rarely lose to a sub 500 team as they did last time out against the Pistons and it was more surprising as they had come into the game on a 3 game winning run, the last 2 coming easily by double digits.
Howard had been immense in those games, scoring 53 points and picking up 33 rebounds and while he was still producing the numbers against Detroit, the rest of the Orlando starters were really struggling.
Orlando are 21-4 against teams with losing records this season. However, the loss against Detroit infuriated Howard who claims the team needs to buck up their ideas if they want to be more than a Play Off team this season and really challenge for the Championship.
Howard will also be hoping the team do not abandon him again as they struggled to get the ball into the paint when chasing the game in the 2nd half. Orlando are 16-13 this season when they score 43 points or fewer in the paint, and are 13-3 when scoring 44+ points.
Indiana are currently residing in 2nd in the NBA for points allowed in the paint at an average of 36 points per game. However, they have struggled here in recent games and are allowing an average of 43 points while slumping to the 5 losses in a row.
On the other side of the court, Indiana have seen big man Roy Hibbert really struggling since the turn of the year. He was averaging 13 points a game before January 1st, but has since dropped to 8 points per game and shooting just under 36% from the field.
The Pacers will be looking for an improved game from Danny Granger, who had just 8 points in the Sunday loss at Denver. Darren Collison missed the meeting between the teams earlier this season and will be looking to maintain his average of 21 points and 8 assists from 2 starts against Orlando last season for New Orleans.
Head to Head
Orlando have won 4 of the last 5 meetings between the team overall, including winning the only meeting they have had this season. The Magic have won on their last 2 visits to this arena after losing the previous 2.
However, the Pacers are 3-1-1 against the spread at home against Orlando.
Indiana are 10-9-1 against the spread at home this season, Orlando are 8-13-1 on the road.
The Pacers are 3-4 against the spread on 2 days rest, while the Magic are 12-12-1 on 1 days rest.
Other Interesting Notes
Indiana are 35-15-2 against the spread when they allow their opponents to surpass 100 points in their previous game.
They are 5-12-1 against the spread as the underdog, but they are 5-2 when given between 5 and 10 points.
The Pacers are 1-4 against the spread when playing at home as the dog.
Orlando are 5-2 against the spread as the road favourite, and have won their last 5 on the road when favoured by between 5 and 10 points.
They are 3-8 against the spread when coming off a straight up loss.
Prediction
Orlando are always given a really hard time and test of their credentials when they visit Indiana and I would not be surprised if we see another one. The Pacers have not played well in recent games, but those have mainly come on the road and they do play teams tough at home.
The Magic should be up for the game after the disappointing performance against Detroit but they have not been playing outstanding basketball, really being much more efficient and closing teams out. Orlando have not been the same team on the road and this one should be close.
I was surprised to see Indiana being given as many points as they are, but could understand seeing they are slumping a little at the moment. I expect they will feel happier about being home off a disappointing 4 loss road trip and I expect them to play Orlando close.
The Pacers also have the Defense that can limit the impact of the Magic in the paint, even if they have not been performing like that of late, and I will take the points and look for them to cover the spread here.
The Pick :
Indiana Pacers 88-91 Orlando Magic
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll take the points and pick Indiana Pacers + 5.5 PointsFollow me on Twitter @DavindaAulak
