NBA Basketball
2012-04-05 - New York Knicks at Orlando Magic
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NBA Basketball
Thursday 5 April 2012 - Tip Off 7pm ET
Midnight (British Standard Time)
Preview
The Orlando Magic (32-22) have lost their grip on a top four seeding in the Eastern Conference, and they seem to be in some disarray off the court. They entertain the New York Knicks (27-27) who are trying to stay in the Play Off picture as they cannot seem to shake off the attentions of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Orlando allowed 100 points for 5th game in a row as they were beaten by the Detroit Pistons last time out, meaning they have now dropped 4 games in a row. They were missing the likes of Jameer Nelson, Ryan Anderson and Dwight Howard for the loss in Detroit and all three are doubts for this game.
In fact, Anderson has already been ruled out, while Howard and Nelson are going to be game time decisions, but that is not the biggest story coming into this game.
Stan Van Gundy, the Orlando Head Coach, confirmed that Dwight Howard has recently tried to get him fired from his position, something Howard has denied just the day before. There are clear frictions between the two men and that can not be a productive environment in which to work for the whole team.
The New York Knicks gave up a huge lead in their last game at the Indiana Pacers, being outscored by 23 points in the final quarter en route to an 8 point loss. That means they are just 1 game ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks in the race for the Number 8 seed in the East.
However, that loss at Indiana means they are still 7-3 in their last 10 games as Carmelo Anthony has led the team which is missing Jeremy Lin and Amare Stoudemire. Anthony has been brilliant in the last 5 games, averaging 29.4 points per game and he will be hoping the Knicks can replicate the effort that saw them crush Orlando last week.
Head to Head
New York levelled the season series 1-1 with a win over Orlando last week at home.
That means they are now 3-2 against the spread in the last 5 games of the series.
Orlando have won the last 4 home games against the Knicks, going 3-1 against the spread in those games.
Orlando are 15-13 against the spread at home this season, New York are 10-16 on the road.
Orlando are 21-19 against the spread as the favourite, New York are 11-12 as the underdog.
Other Interesting Trends
Orlando are 8-3 against the spread in their last 11 games as the home favourite.
They are 6-1 against the spread in their last 7 games against a team with a losing record on the road.
New York are 16-7 against the spread in their last 23 games as the road underdog of between 0.5 and 4.5 points.
They are 9-3 against the spread in their last 12 games against the Eastern Conference.
Prediction
I am going to take the New York Knicks and the points for the following reasons:
First, the Magic are dealing with some significant injuries to key components of their starting rotation, with Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson both game time decisions.
Second, the Magic are in disarray, especially with the revelations Stan Van Gundy told the press about his star player asking for him to be fired.
Third, Orlando are just 2-4 against the spread this season as the home favourite of between 3.5 and 6 points.
The Pick :
Orlando Magic 89-88 New York Knicks
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I'll back the New York Knicks + 3.5 Points @ 1.95
