Orlando Magic (56-23 SU 41-33-5 ATS) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (61-19 39-40-1 ATS) Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, OH Sunday April 11, 2010 on ABC
by Jason Green at Predictem.com
Point Spread: Magic -5/Cavaliers +5
Over/Under: 199
Wager on NBA games at -105 instead of the standard -110 at 5Dimes.
Today in a national televised game between the top 2 teams in the Eastern Conference the Cleveland Cavaliers host the Orlando Magic. This game really means nothing to either team in terms of the standings, as the Cavs have already wrapped up the top seed in the playoffs and the Magic will have the #2 seed. However, this game is big in terms of confidence, as if the Magic win they will have some momentum if they face the Cavs in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Cleveland has the best record in the NBA, but they have lost 2 in a row and are 6-4 in their last 10 games while the Magic have won 3 straight and are 8-2 in their last 10 games.
This season the Cavs are a NBA best 35-5 at home and the Magic are 23-16 on the road.
To say the Cavaliers may be shorthanded in this game would be a massive understatement, as their 3 leading scorers in LeBron James, Antawn Jamison, and Mo Williams will all likely be watching this game from the bench.
Cleveland head coach Mike Brown called the remaining few games “high level practice” and he may rest his main players today.
While Brown will probably rest his starters Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy will not stating, “I don’t know what it gains you, quite honestly.”
This game may mean much more to the Magic in terms of confidence as well as standings overall, as the Magic are tied with the Lakers for the 2nd best record in the league and want to finish ahead of L.A., as they would then host the Lakers if each team were to make the finals.
In their last game the Magic beat the New York Knicks 118-103 on Friday night. The high scorers for Orlando in the game were Dwight Howard and Vince Carter, who both went for 25 points. For the game the Magic shot lights out going 47/84 from the floor for a FG% of 56%. On defense the Magic allowed the Knicks to shoot 35/74 for a FG% of 47.3%.
The Cavs also played their last game on Friday night, but lost to the Indiana Pacers 116-113. The high scorers for Cleveland in the game were J.J. Hickson and reserve Sebastian Telfair each going for 21 points. For the game the Cavs shot 41/89 for a FG% of 46.1%. On D the Cavs did not have a good game allowing the Pacers to shoot 42/83 from the floor for a FG% of 50.6%.
This season the Cavs rank 6th in the league in scoring (102.5 ppg) and the Magic rank 8th (102.3 ppg). On defense the Magic rank 4th in opponents’ points allowed (95.1 ppg) and the Cavs rank 6th (95.5 ppg). Both teams have been solid on the boards this season, as the Cavs have a rebounding differential of +4.1 rpg and the Magic are at +3.1 rpg.
According to the Sagarin NBA ratings the Cavs rank 1st (96.70) and the Magic rank 2nd (96.03).
Orlando is 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games, 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games against teams with a home winning percentage of greater than 60%, and 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a win.
Orlando has an Under record of 29-14-1 in their last 44 games and an Under record of 7-3 in their last 10 road games against teams with a winning home record.
Cleveland is 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games, 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games, and 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games against teams with a winning record.
Cleveland has an Over record of 4-0 in their last 4 games and an Over record of 5-2 in their last 7 games against teams with a winning percentage above 60%.
On the injury front Orlando is not reporting any significant injuries while SG Delonte West, PF Antawn Jamison PG Daniel Gibson PG Mo Williams SF LeBron James, PG Sebastian Telfair are all day-to-day and C Shaquille O’Neal is Out for Cleveland.
Jason’s Pick: The Magic are still playing for position. With that being said, I think they will win the game but I see the Cavs covering the spread.
