The Charlotte Bobcats (44-38), seventh seed in the NBA Eastern Conference, will travel down to Orlando to play the second seed Magic in Sunday's Game 1 of the 2010 NBA Playoffs first round at Amway Arena in Orlando, Fla.
The Magic finished their NBA regular season schedule with the second-best record in the Association at 59-43 overall but unfortunately were second best in their own conference. The Magic will have home-court advantage until the Conference Finals and if Orlando can win the conferene would have the home advantage in the NBA Finals.
Orlando, who has a 3-1 season series advantage over Charlotte, is listed on the BetUS.com NBA Board as -1000 favorite to win the series while the Bobcats are getting +600 odds as the underdog.
BetUS oddsmakers list the Magic as 10-chalk favorites for Game-1 with a 187 1/2 total. Bobcats backers are getting +450 odds on the Sportsbook moneyline while the Magic are giving -600.
Never underestimate a Larry Brown-coached team in the playoffs, because he has a history of outcoaching his counterpart in a long series. Just ask the 2004 Lakers. The Bobcats have a fighting chance because of their athleticism, although Orlando has the wild card in Dwight Howard.
Stephen Jackson has become a leader for Charlotte, while Gerald Wallace will be asked to hold down Vince Carter. The point guard matchup of Raymond Felton vs. Jameer Nelson is even, so it will come down to Orlando’s 3-point shooting and experience against the Bobcats.
The key for Orlando is to win at home, because Game 3 in Charlotte will be difficult to pull out. The key to the series is Boris Diaw, who has been uneven since a brilliant first year in Phoenix. The Bobcats need him to be tough in the paint. Expect a competitive series, but the Magic will prevail.
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