Get In On NBA Betting – Orlando vs. Charlotte

The defending conference champion Orlando Magic, have looked like the best team in the East so far, in going up 2-0 on the Charlotte Bobcats. But giving just two points, should they be your NBA Playoffs bet on Saturday afternoon?

NBA Playoffs First Round: No. 2 Orlando Magic (59-23 SU, 46-34-2 ATS) at No. 7 Charlotte Bobcats (44-38 SU, 44-37-1 ATS)

Saturday, April 24: 2:05 p.m.TNT

Orlando 2-0 Series Lead (1-1 ATS)

Betting Odds: Orlando -2, Total Points 184 ½

Here are some Betting Trends which may impact this game:

Orlando: 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games
Orlando: 6-0 SU in their last 6 games

Charlotte: 2-3 ATS in their last 5 games
Charlotte: 2-3 SU in their last 5 games

The Orlando Magic comes into this game, off a convincing, dominating 92-77 Game 2 win at home. In the game, it was their defense that set the tone, as they allowed Charlotte just 30 first half points, in a game that didn’t seem even as close as the final score would indicate. Vince Carter led five Magic starters in double figures scoring, with 19 points.

As for Charlotte, now down 2-0, they’ll need a better effort, and it starts on the offensive end.

It’s no secret that the Bobcats are phenomenal defensively, as they allowed just 93 points a game this season, which ranked them first in the NBA. But it seems as though they just haven’t been able to buy a bucket all series long against the Magic. In Wednesday’s Game 2 loss, leading scorer Stephen Jackson had 27 points, but beyond him, there was very little to write home about. Gerald Wallace, Boris Diaw and others will need to pick things up offensively.

Of course that’s easier said than done, when Orlando happens to have the elite defensive stopper in the league- Dwight Howard- patrolling the paint for them. To say that Howard has been dominating in this series is an understatement, as in Game 1 he had just five points and seven rebounds, but protected the rim relentlessly, with nine blocks. He followed that up in Game 2 with a pedestrian two blocks, but added 15 points and nine rebounds, including seven offensive boards.

However in this game the tide will turn, and the Charlotte Bobcats will get the win. Make them your basketball bet in Game 3.

If you’ve watched either of the two opening games you know that truthfully the Bobcats really haven’t been all that bad, and if it weren’t for a few slow starts, could have won either of those games. In Game 2 especially, the offense was stagnant, as they scored just five points in the first eight minutes of play.

With the home crowd behind them, and two games under their belts, expect Charlotte not only to cover, but to get a win in this basketball bet.

They’ve been really close these last two games, and won’t let this one slip away. While Orlando might be the play going forward after Saturday, Charlotte should be your pick in Game 3.

Aaron’s Pick: Charlotte +2