Celtics to Roll over Leaderless Magic – Orlando at Boston Game 7

Pierce, Allen, To Lead Celtics To Victory to Cover the Spread Over Leaderless Magic

The Orlando Magic (66-28 SU, 54-39-1 ATS, 40-54 O/U) have thrown everything but the kitchen sink at the defending-champion Boston Celtics (69-26 SU, 49-45-1 ATS, 49-45-1 O/U) just to reach tonight’s deciding Game 7.

Apparently, they will need a nearly super-human effort to dispatch the confidence-oozing champs, particularly on their home floor when the two square off in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference semifinal matchup at Boston’s TDBanknorth Garden tonight at 8 PM ET.

The Magic staved off elimination by beating the Celtics 83-75 in Game 6, getting an outstanding double-double of 23 points and 22 rebounds from all-star center Dwight Howard in the process.

While the Magic recorded a narrow win over Boston the last time out, they failed to cover the high spread as 7-point home favorites while the final score played Under the 190.5-point O/U total.

Boston got a spectacular double-double of 19 points and 16 rebounds from point guard Rajon Rondo in a losing effort.

Here is a look at tonight’s key betting trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and NBA Free Picks.

• The Celtics are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a favorite of 0.5-4.5.
• The Celtics are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a home favorite of 0.5-4.5.
• The Celtics are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 playoff games as a favorite of 0.5-4.5.
• The Magic are 18-6 ATS in their last 24 games as a road underdog of 0.5-4.5.
• The Magic are 14-6 ATS in their last 20 games as a road underdog.
• The Under is 4-1 in Magic last 5 games as a road underdog of 0.5-4.5.
• The Under is 5-1 in Celtics last 6 Sunday games.
• The Favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
• The Home team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
• The Under is 7-2 in the last 9 meetings.
• The Magic are 4-14 ATS in the last 18 meetings in Boston.

NBA Odds:

• Orlando Magic +2½ -110
• Boston Celtics -2½ -110
• Over 186 -110
• Under 186 -110

Analysis: First and foremost NBA sports betting fanatics, the home team has gone 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings between these two ballclubs, indicating a Celtics cover in this contest.

Boston’s 5-1 ATS mark over their last six games as a favorite of less than five points, and 4-1 ATS mark in their last five as a home favorite covering the same spread, bodes very well for them as well.

Orlando clearly has a talented team and a shot to win as they handled the C’s in game 1 of this series in Boston, 95-90. The Magic’s 18-6 ATS record in their last 24 games as a road underdog of less than five points is excellent as well.

However, I fully believe the Celtics are going to win and cover the spread in front of their raucous home fans while the Magic fade down the stretch for the umpteenth time in this series because of their clear lack of leadership.

Yes, the magic are a talented group, they just don’t have much resiliency or direction if you ask me.

I also like the Under in a big way with Orlando going 4-1 in Under outcomes in their last five games as a road underdog of less than 4.5 points and the Under playing out in 5 of Boston’s last six Sunday contests.

Take the veteran-laden Celtics to win and cover the spread while this game plays Under the set O/U total.

NBA Free Picks: Celtics -2½ Points/Under 186 Total Points