As good as the Orlando Magic have been this season, and they are tied with the Lakers for the best record in the NBA, they haven’t yet beaten any of the Eastern Conference powers this season.
Orlando lost its lone meeting with nemesis Detroit this season, hasn’t yet played the Cavaliers (next Thursday) and were embarrassed on Dec. 1 in Boston. In that game, the Celtics laid a 107-88 beatdown, which is Orlando’s worst loss of the season.
But this just might be a new Magic team heading into Thursday’s rematch with Boston, with Orlando a 5-point favorite on WagerWeb.com.
Orlando is riding an NBA-high seven-game winning streak, with three of those wins coming at West powers San Antonio, Denver and the Lakers. In fact, they already have swept the Lakers and Spurs this season. Not to mention that Orlando also hasn’t lost at home since Nov. 22 against the Rockets.
“It’s very shocking to see the things we’re doing,” Magic forward Rashard Lewis said. “I knew we’d have a good team, but I didn’t know we’d be 33-8.”
The Magic have a MVP candidate in Dwight Howard, who averages 20.2 points, 14.1 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per contest and has a league-high 31 double-doubles on the season. Lewis is the second-leading scorer (19.1) and rebounder (5.9) behind Howard. And point guard Jameer Nelson is having a breakout season. Last week, Nelson earned Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors after averaging 24.7 points, 8.0 assists and 1.7 steals a game. Nelson’s 17.1-point scoring average is almost five points above his career numbers, and he leads all NBA guards in overall shooting percentage. Nelson missed the first meeting this season with Boston.
While Howard can do the damage inside, the Magic can kill it from behind the 3-point line. The Magic average an NBA-high 10.5 3-pointers made per game and make them slightly more than 40 percent of the time, also tops in the league. Lewis leads the league in 3-pointers made (121) and attempted (286).
Orlando is well-rested, not having played since Saturday in Denver. Boston has played four times since Saturday, including Wednesday night in Miami, an impressive 98-83 win. Boston has won six games in a row after going through a 2-7 stretch.
Boston did get center Kendrick Perkins back on Wednesday, and he will get the main defensive assignment on Howard, although Kevin Garnett will be lurking everywhere. Celtics guard Tony Allen (ankle) did not play Wednesday and will not suit up against the Magic tonight, but hopes to return when the Celtics meet Dallas on Sunday.
WagerWeb.com Game Trends
* Celtics are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a S.U. win.
* Celtics are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
* Celtics are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games as an underdog of 5.0-10.5.
* Celtics are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Thursday games.
* Celtics are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference.
* Celtics are 19-7 ATS in their last 26 games as a road underdog of 5.0-10.5.
* Celtics are 56-22 ATS in their last 78 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
* Celtics are 37-15 ATS in their last 52 games as a road underdog.
* Celtics are 37-17 ATS in their last 54 games as an underdog.
* Celtics are 39-19 ATS in their last 58 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
* Celtics are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
* Celtics are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
* Celtics are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 0 days rest.
* Celtics are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
* Celtics are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games when their starting 5 players combine for more than 160 minutes of the previous day.
* Magic are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 Thursday games.
* Magic are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
* Magic are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games following a SU win of more than 10 points.
* Magic are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
* Magic are 12-2 ATS in their last 14 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
* Magic are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 home games.
* Magic are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a home favorite.
* Magic are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
* Magic are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
* Magic are 21-6-1 ATS in their last 28 games following a S.U. win.
* Magic are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games as a favorite.
* Magic are 19-7-1 ATS in their last 27 games following a ATS win.
* Magic are 24-9 ATS in their last 33 games as a home favorite of 5.0-10.5.
* Magic are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 vs. NBA Atlantic.
* Magic are 36-17-1 ATS in their last 54 games overall.
* Magic are 40-19 ATS in their last 59 games as a favorite of 5.0-10.5.
* Magic are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games following a road trip of 7 or more days.
* Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Orlando.
* Home team is 21-6 ATS in the last 27 meetings.
* Favorite is 19-7 ATS in the last 26 meetings.
* Celtics are 1-5 ATS in the last 6 meetings in Orlando.
NBA Basketball Betting at WagerWeb.com
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