Los Angeles Clippers at Orlando Magic Betting Odds Preview

The Orlando Magic made a statement dropping the Los Angeles Lakers 96-94 at home on Sunday. The Magic will attempt to make another statement against a Los Angeles based team when they host the lowly Clippers on Tuesday, although it may come across as more of a whisper, unless that is they find a way to lose. The Clippers enter this contest ranked 12th of the 15 teams in the Western conference. Orlando has strung together five consecutive wins including Sunday’s notable defeat of the reigning NBA champions to climb within five games of the Cleveland Cavaliers for the top spot in the Eastern conference.  

Los Angeles Clippers @ Orlando Magic

Tuesday March 9, 2010

Sportsbook Reviews Odds: Magic

The Magic have won five straight and seven of eight overall to keep pace with the Boston Celtics in the pursuit of the Cavaliers at the top of the conference. Orlando has the second fewest losses on home court in the east. Vince Carter led all scorers with 25 points, shooting 50 percent from the field and hitting 13 of 14 free throws in Sunday’s win over the Lakers, raising his game when the stakes were high in a 2009 NBA Finals rematch. Dwight Howard dropped 15 points and grabbed 16 boards, dominating down low against the likes of Paul Gasol and Andrew Bynum. How to defend “Superman” is one of many question marks the Clippers have heading into this contest. The Magic have been able to impose their will on every team that hasn’t had an answer for Howard, and the Clippers will be no different.  

The Clippers are coming off a blowout 107-85 loss to the Utah Jazz on Saturday, their third loss in a row, and don’t appear to possess the traits required to be an above-average defensive team. Los Angeles owns a 7-24 record away from home this season, and will be heavily overmatched against one of the league’s best home teams. Despite just one win in their last five games, a quick glance at the standings reveals the quality of the opponent that has forced those three defeats, a list that includes Phoenix, Utah, and Oklahoma City, three quality Western conference teams.  

Online Betting Pick: Magic

Over/Under

The Magic appear to be hitting their stride at the perfect time heading into the stretch run leading to this year’s playoffs. Orlando has reached triple-digit points in eight of its last 13 games, and are unlikely to shy away from those gaudy offensive numbers against a lowly Clippers defense. The Sixers and Bulls have each reached triple figures against the Magic this season, and after consecutive defeats in which they have failed to reach triple-figures after doing so in three straight games, the Clippers are likely to go to the attack in hostile territory this Tuesday.  

NBA Betting Pick: Over