With five games to play in the regular season, the Orlando Magic sits in the eighth and final playoff spot of the NBA Eastern Conference standings. With only a two-game advantage over the ninth-place Indiana Pacers, Orlando comes into its road game with the Detroit Pistons, hoping to catch the conference leaders napping. A win would give the Magic another full game lead over the Pacers(with an Indiana loss) where a loss could drop them to within a one game lead providing the Pacers defeat the Bucks in Milwaukee tonight. It might be too late for Indiana to make a run but with difficult road games at Philadelphia and Washington coming up, the Magic can’t afford a let down. If the Pacers expect to catch the Magic , tonight’s game in Milwaukee is a must win.
This is a great time of the season to bet the underdog, in this case Orlando. The Pistons are firmly entrenched on top of the standings with home court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs while Orlando is scratching and clawing to just make it into the playoffs. The Magic have plenty to play for and could be a good value tonight as a +6.0 dog. The public is betting on Orlando with 71 per cent of the money played on the money line (ml) while 53 per cent is wagered with the Magic on the side bet. The public likes the total (184 ½) to go OVER with 82 per cent of the wagers going that way.
The Magic has won three of their last five games SU and cashed for backers ATS in three of five games. The total has also gone OVER in three of the last five games Orlando played.
With the top spot in the playoffs virtually assured the Pistons coach Flip Saunders needs to rest some of his players and maintain a high level of play. The Pistons haven’t slacked off much of late as they have won SU five of their last six games but have not been a good bet in covering ATS only two of their last five games. The total has gone OVER in four of the last six Pistons games.
The Pacers have a good opportunity to gain on the Magic as they are -4.0 road favorites over the weakling Bucks. The Pacers are getting 98 per cent of the ML wagers thrown their way while 91 per cent like the Pacers ATS. The OVER is the favorite bet on the 199-total with 60 per cent of the wagers.
Indiana has won three of its last five games straight up but has failed to cover the line in three of five. The total has gone OVER in four of their last five games.
