Game 2 Prop Picks – Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics

Looking at some props for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semi-final series between the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics, which you can find at BetOnline by clicking the "Show All Props" link under the game NBA odds:

TOTAL 3-POINT SHOTS MADE IN THE GAME 

Over  15  3 Pt Shots      -110

Under  15  3 Pt Shots    -120

Hello? It’s like, this is what the Magic does. This is where the Magic gets its advantage over opponents – by hitting shots from long-range. Yes, it’s true that point guard Jameer Nelson was a much better outside shooter than the incumbent at that position, Rafer Alston. But what is unusual about this Orlando team is that they have not one, but two forwards who can absolutely nail it when you put Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis on the court. Orlando averaged ten three-pointers per game this season, which was second in the NBA. It’s not as if they have let up all that much in the playoffs either. The Magic made nine threes in the first game of this series and has averaged more than eight over its last five games. The Celtics have felt compelled to take more three pointers as well in the post-season, and in fact they’ve made even more than Orlando has over the last five games.

JAY’S PLAY: OVER 15 (-110) ***

WINNING MARGIN Magic to win by 1-2 pts +1000 Magic to win by 3-6 pts +700 Magic to win by 7-9 pts +800 Magic to win by 10-13 pts +1200 Magic to win by 14-16 pts +2500 Magic to win by 17-20 pts +3500 Magic to win by 21 or more pts +3500 Celtics to win by 1-2 pts +800 Celtics to win by 3-6 pts +400 Celtics to win by 7-9 pts +550 Celtics to win by 10-13 pts +500 Celtics to win by 14-16 pts +1000 Celtics to win by 17-20 pts +1200 Celtics to win by 21 or more pts +800

The Celtics can’t seem to avoid playing these barn-burners. All those overtime periods against Chicago, and then in the opener of this series they find themselves down 28 points, then come all the way back before losing by five points. I like to keep in mind that Orlando is a team that won 59 games this season, and they are relatively intact; well, except that Courtney Lee is still listed as questionable (he could well suit up) and Nelson, an NBA All-Star, was lost for the season with an injury (and was replaced ably by Rafer Alston).

Against a Boston team that is without its best player, Orlando is the better team. Is there any reason a team that is legitimately a member of that NBA "elite" could not win a series like this, or win a game on the road? No, of course not. Those prices on narrow Orlando wins are pretty inviting. I would grab one of them.

JAY’S PLAY: MAGIC TO WIN BY 3-6 PTS.  (+700) *

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RAJON RONDO TOTAL POINTS REBOUNDS AND ASSISTS    

Over  33  Points+Rebs+Assists             -115

Under  33  Points+Rebs+Assists            -115

Rondo has quickly become one of my favorite players. Let’s use some perspective: Kiki Vandeweghe, who is now the general manager of the New Jersey Nets, was 6’8" and 220 pounds when he played, which was big enough to be a power forward. He averaged 3.4 rebounds for his career. Rondo, who is all of 6’1" and 170 pounds, has averaged 9.3 rebounds in the post-season. This guy has a warrior’s mentality. Even when he had a horrible game, as he did in Game 1 of this series, he almost had a triple double (14 points, eight assists, ten rebounds). What worries me here is that he has shot just eight-for-37 in the last three games, but I’m sure I want to bet against a guy who dished out 19 assists without a turnover in Game 6 of the Chicago series.

JAY’S PLAY: OVER 33 (-115) **