Magic at Celtics Game 6 – NBA Betting Predictions

With the chance to get one step closer to making history, the Orlando Magic visit the three point favorites Boston Celtics tonight at 8:30 PM ET at TD Garden in a crucial game for both squads.

NBA Betting Odds:
Orlando Magic +3.5
Boston Celtics -3.5
O/U 188

What Orlando is trying to do -come from behind from a 0-3 deficit- has never been done in this history of the NBA, but it has been done once in baseball and three times in the NHL. The last time was less than a month ago, when the Philadelphia Flyers beat a Boston team, the Bruins, in the NHL Eastern Conference Semifinals.

However, NBA betting fans should realize that the referees won’t step in the middle like the way they did in Game Five, when they threw Kendrick Perkins out of the game for two ridiculous technical fouls.

Consider that Dwight Howard will dominate the paint as he has been doing it in the past two games, in which he averaged 26 points and 13 rebounds as the Magic avoided elimination twice. Keep in mind also that Glen Davis is a game-time decision after suffering a concussion.

The problem for the Celtics is not trying to stop Howard but trying to defend Jameer Nelson, who has been the difference maker in the last few games, outplaying an injured Rajon Rondo.

Rondo needs to get back into his game quickly. Orlando has been giving him the jump shot, but he is not hitting it.

Betting trends say Orlando is 2-2 ATS as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points and the Celtics are 3-6 ATS as a home favorite of 3.5 to 6 points.

The Magic is 9-4 ATS in all playoff games and 16-7 ATS against Atlantic division opponents. Boston is 8-11 ATS after allowing 105 points or more.

Despite the fact that the trends are leaning heavily toward the Magic, I think Boston will win tonight, as their home crowd and experience will be a big factor.

Simmons’ pick: Celtics will cover.