The well rested Orlando Magic go up against the unrested Boston Celtics tonight, May 4, in the Eastern Conference Semi-finals. Both teams are split at two games apiece during their four regular season meetings, but the Magic won the last two. NBA oddsmakers at SBGglobal.com have the Celtics as -2 point home favs over the Magic with the over/under listed at 188.5 points. Be sure to get your 2009 NBA Playoffs Orlando Magic vs Boston Celtics Pick in now at SBGglobal.com
The Magic needed six games to beat the Philadelphia 76ers. Their top producers in this series were Dwight Howard averaging 24 ppg 15 rpg and he had a total 14 blocks, Rashard Lewis averaged 19.2 ppg, Rafer Alston averaged 15.2 ppg with 29 assists, Courtney Lee averaged 12.6 ppg and Hedo Turkoglu averaged 11.8 ppg. Despite three day’s rest, the Magic have some minor injuries to tend with. Guard Courtney Lee is recovering from surgery on a fractured sinus that he injured in Game 5 against the 76ers. He has been cleared to play with a protective mask, but he is expected to miss at least the first two games of the Celtics series. J.J. Redick is expected to start in his place, he averaged 5.9 ppg during the regular season and 5.8 ppg in the playoffs. Dwight Howard averaged 16.7 ppg during their four regular season meetings against the Celtics. The Magic aren’t afraid of the Celtics. "If you want to be the champs, you have to beat the champs," he said, dismissing any notion of a Celtics mystique. "I believe in the Magic mystique; I never thought about that. They put on their pants just like we do. There are two baskets on the floor, and seats." The Magic went 29-15 on the road where they averaged 100.6 ppg and gave up an average 96.8 ppg.
The Celtics were pushed to a seventh game against the Chicago Bulls in one of the most thrilling first round playoff series in history. They played a record seven overtime periods through six games. Now with one day rest, they’ll need to be at their best. Their top scorers in this series were Ray Allen averaging 23.4 ppg with 11 total steals, Paul Pierce averaged 23.1 ppg, Rajon Rondo averaged 19.4 ppg and Glen Davis averaged 18.1 ppg. The Celtics last two losses against the Magic were without Kevin Garnett. "We didn't win either game without Kevin," said Rivers, a former Magic coach. "And so we're going to have to go and find out why." Paul Pierce averaged 23.2 ppg during their four game regular season meetings against the Magic. I don’t expect Rajon Rondo to be driving the lane like he did against the Bulls, Howard will have him flat on his ass! The Celtics finished their regular season with a 38-7 home record where they averaged 105 ppg and gave up an average 95.4 ppg.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
- Over is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings in Boston.
- Home team is 21-9 ATS in the last 30 meetings.
- Magic are 3-12 ATS in the last 15 meetings in Boston.
- Underdog is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
- Celtics are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a home favorite of 0.5-4.5.
- Celtics are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. NBA Southeast.
2009 NBA Playoffs Orlando Magic vs Boston Celtics
When: Mon, May 4, 2009 8:00 PM ET
Line: SBGglobal.com
Pick: Celtics -2
Point-Spreads.com 2009 NBA Playoffs Orlando Magic vs Boston Celtics
The Bottom Line: The Celtics just have to shoot the ball instead of driving the lane. Ray Allen is a shooting machine. Go Celtics! Be sure to get your 2009 NBA Playoffs Orlando Magic vs Boston Celtics Pick in now at SBGglobal.com and receive a 60% sign-up bonus on your initial deposit
