NBA Betting – Magic In Big Hole Going Back To Boston

World Cup betting players watching Game 2 between Boston and Orlando would have compared Vince Carter’s missed free throws to Italy’s Roberto Baggio’s penalty miss in the Rose Bowl, which handed the trophy to Brazil. Unlike Baggio, the Magic have a chance to bounce back in Game 3, but it won’t be easy on the road in Boston, even though they’ve had success there lately.

Bet Celtics Magic – Saturday, May 22, 8:30 PM ET

Carter’s first misses at the line of the game was the death blow in a 95-92 loss for the Magic, as they were down by three at the time with 31.9 seconds left and that would have pulled them to within a point of the Celtics. It definitely stirred memories of Nick Anderson’s critical misses in Game 1 of the 1994 Finals against Houston, which they ultimately lost in four straight. At least they competed better for 48 minutes after Game 1’s slow start, and Dwight Howard had a game-high 30 points to go with eight boards, and he was even 12-of-17 from the free-throw line. But the Magic are still struggling with their shooting touch, as they shot 39.4% from the field.

Paul Pierce was hot from the beginning and never cooled off, going for 28 points before fouling out in the fourth quarter. Rajon Rondo added 25 points and eight assists for the Celtics, who shot 45.9% from the floor. It was a tough night for Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, as Allen was just 1-of-6 for four points in 39 minutes, but he played solid defense. Garnett was 5-of-16 for 10 points, but he added nine boards and was the Celtics’ defensive leader, as per usual.

NBA betting odds have the Celtics as an early 3-point favorite at home, but the Magic aren’t afraid to go into Boston, where they have won five of their last seven, including a pair of wins in last year’s playoff elimination of the Celtics. Boston is peaking at just the right time, and with Pierce and Garnett in particular battling injuries throughout the season, maybe they’re rested for this time of year. Pierce has been freed up from the defensive responsibility of guarding LeBron James in the last series against Cleveland, and the Magic haven’t been able to slow down “The Truth”. As for the Magic, they can come back to pull them out of this hole, given their history in Boston, and we think they will. The Magic’s 25 road wins during the regular season was second to only Boston and Cleveland, and they’re also 4-0 in the playoffs. This is a tough team, and they won’t panic in the bright lights of the TD Banknorth Garden.

Online sports betting pick: Orlando +3

NBA Playoff Betting – Celtics Aim For 2-0 Edge Over Magic

Those who bet on World Cup odds don’t have to worry about wagering on a series, and the Boston Celtics will be the first ones to tell you that despite their Game 1 win in Orlando, this series is far from over. The two meet up in Orlando for Game 2 on Tuesday, and the Celtics can expect a much tougher game from the Magic, especially early on.

Bet Celtics Magic – Tuesday, May 18, 8:30 PM ET

The Celtics were up by eight points at the end of the first quarter, and had built up a 20-point lead in the second half against the Magic. Orlando fought back to make a game of it, but the Celtics came away with a 92-88 win on the road, their third in six games away from home this postseason. Ray Allen was the high man with 25 points with seven rebounds, while Paul Pierce added 22 points and nine boards for the Celtics, who were outrebounded 45-38, including 15-7 on the offensive glass. The Celtics overcame that by forcing 18 turnovers, which led to Boston being able to get out in the open floor and gaining a 20-6 edge over the Magic in fast-break points.

The Magic showed a lot of rust from a six-day rest, as they’ve been off since routing Atlanta in a record-breaking four-game sweep that caused the Hawks to fire coach Mike Woodson. Vince Carter led the way with 23 points for the Magic, who shot 41.6% from the field, but you could really see it in their three-point shooting as they missed 17 of their 22 shots from behind the arc, which is rare for such a good three-point shooting team. Dwight Howard had an inconsistent day with 13 points, 12 boards and five blocks, but he missed seven of his 10 field-goal attempts, and he had seven of Orlando’s 18 turnovers.

The Magic are a 7.5-point NBA betting favorite in your offshore sportsbook, and the Magic were flat out of the gate, largely due to their layoff, and the Celtics’ last series with Cleveland that caused them to have a steady flow of intensity and energy. The Magic strolled through the playoffs with sweeps of Charlotte and Atlanta prior to this series, and the Magic didn’t get that energy and sense of urgency until the fourth quarter, when they just ran out of time in their comeback. The Celtics know that the Magic will come out with a better start in Game 2, and they’ll have to weather that storm. The Magic will get a big game from Howard, who will have to do a better job of protecting the ball if Orlando are going to avoid an 0-2 hole going back to Boston.

Online betting pick: Orlando -7.5

NBA Betting – Backs Against The Wall For James, Cavs

Cleveland was a NBA championship odds favorite heading into the playoffs, as they ended the regular season with the best record and the league’s MVP, LeBron James. Boston has not shown any respect for either, and they’re ready to move onto the Eastern Conference finals with a win over the Cavaliers in Game 6 at home on Thursday.

Bet Celtics Cavaliers – Thursday, May 13, 8:00 PM ET

With all of the attention focused on Rajon Rondo, the Celtics’ “Big Three” stole the show back from their young point guard with dazzling performances in a 120-88 rout of the Cavaliers in Cleveland. Ray Allen hit six of his nine long-range attempts en route to 25 points, while Paul Pierce broke out with 21 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. Kevin Garnett added 18 points and seven boards, while Rondo absorbed all the attention, and still managed to notch 16 points and seven assists. This may have been the best performance by any team so far in the playoffs, even more impressive than their 104-86 win in Cleveland in Game 2.

The Cavs looked all out of sorts, allowing the Celtics to shoot 55% from the field, while shooting 41.2% themselves, and they were outrebounded 41-31 with 17 turnovers. Shaquille O’Neal was the high man with 21 points, while James was just 3-of-14 from the floor with 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists. The duo of Antawn Jamison and Mo Williams were nowhere to be found, combining for 18 points on 7-of-18 shooting, and that’s not what the Cavaliers had in mind. From the coaching staff to the players, everyone on that team is going to have to look at themselves in the mirror long and hard before Game 6.

The Celtics are a 1-point favorite at home if you’re looking to bet on NBA, and even though they were routed 124-95 at home by the Cavaliers for the worst loss at home in their storied history, that was only the second time in 10 meetings that the Celtics have lost to the Cavaliers in Cleveland. The Cavaliers may have the best player in the series in James, but the Celtics are proving to have the next four in that list, and it’s even arguable that Rondo has been the star of the series. The Cavaliers didn’t show any mental toughness in Game 5, and that was not the way James should want to go out if he has played his last home game in Cleveland. The Celtics are showing him what it takes to be a champion in the NBA, and he would be wise to pay attention for next year, where he is. Place a sports bet on Boston on Thursday.

NBA Betting – James, Rondo Square Off In Cleveland

Preakness betting players know all about thoroughbreds, and NBA betting players are watching a pair of the premier thoroughbreds in the league go toe-to-toe as LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers will host Rajon Rondo and the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of their second-round series on Tuesday.

Bet Celtics Cavaliers – Tuesday, May 11, 8:00 PM ET

The Cavaliers had no answer for Rondo, who was the spark in the Celtics’ 97-87 win at home on Sunday to tie the series at two games apiece. Rondo had 29 points, 18 boards and 13 assists for his fourth triple-double in the playoffs, and the Celtics really needed him as Ray Allen ended up fouling out with 18 points, while Kevin Garnett, Kendrick Perkins and Paul Pierce all dealt with foul trouble throughout the game. This was one of the best postseason performances in the history of the Celtics, and it’s easily been the best game by anyone in these playoffs as Rondo carried this aging team to a much-needed victory.

LeBron James tried to counter Rondo with 22 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, but he also had seven turnovers and the Cavaliers had 17 as a team, while shooting 40.3% from the field. Shaquille O’Neal was next with 17 points, while Antawn Jamison had 14 points, but Mo Williams had another subpar game with 13 points, shooting 3-of-9 from the field. The Cavaliers have been counting on Williams to be the main No.2 option behind James, but he’s been up and down since coming to Cleveland, and the Cavaliers had to go out and get Jamison because you can’t rely on Williams, especially in the postseason.

NBA betting odds have the Cavaliers as a 7.5-point favorite in this contest, and the series is now basically down to a best-of-three after the Celtics win in Game 4. The Cavaliers are going to have to find a way to slow down Rondo, who got out in the open floor and created some easy buckets for the Celtics. Tony Allen also made a big difference off the bench as Pierce and Ray Allen were in foul trouble, but he’ll be hard-pressed to have another game like that. The Cavaliers are going to have to get their secondary players going, especially Williams, who can stretch the floor for James’ penetration. As for James, he’s going to have to go into attack mode, so look for him to try and get his shot going early. The supporting cast is usually better at home than they are on the road, and they should get in the game, but the Cavaliers will need a total team effort in this game.

Online sports betting pick: Cavaliers -7.5