NBA Betting – Bobcats vs Magic Game 2

While it was hardly their best game, the Orlando Magic did exactly what they needed to do get a win in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference series with Charlotte. But heading into Game 2 Wednesday night, should they be your NBA basketball bet?

NBA Playoffs First Round:

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

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

Wednesday, April 21: 7:00 p.m. TNT

NBA Betting Odds: Orlando -9, Total Points 186

Here are some NBA Betting Trends which may impact this game:

• Charlotte: 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games
• Charlotte: Total has gone OVER 3 of their last 6 games
• Orlando: 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games
• Orlando: 6-0 SU in their last 6 games

In Game 1, the Magic jumped out to an early lead, and needed to hold off a charge late by the Bobcats to seal the victory, and take a series lead. Orlando led by 11 after the first quarter and 16 at halftime, but Charlotte used a six point advantage in the second half to keep the game close, and ultimately cover the point spread. Will they be able to do likewise on Wednesday?

The key could come down to the health of Charlotte’s leading scorer, Stephen Jackson, who sat out the last several minutes of the Orlando game with a hyper extended left knee. While Jackson is expected to play, no one is quite certain how much he’ll play, and how effective he’ll be. Whether or Jackson plays or not, second leading scorer Gerald Wallace needs another big game. He had 25 in the Game 1 loss.

There were no such problems on Sunday for Orlando, as this team shot 44 percent from the field, made 13 of 30 3-point attempts, and were led by the 32 (mostly first half) points of guard Jameer Nelson. As always, the difference defensively was the two-time defending NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Dwight Howard, who had just five points, but added a staggering nine blocked shots.

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With that said though, looking at this one objectively, it’s hard not to like the Bobcats in your Wednesday night bet. The way that Charlotte played on Sunday night defensively wasn’t anything like they played all year, as on the season, they held opponents to the lowest scoring total of any team in the league at 93 points per game. Once they got down early, the Bobcats began to press, before calming down and playing well in the second half. They won’t get off to that slow start in Wednesday night’s game.

While Orlando will still probably win this game straight up, the basketball bet you should be making is Charlotte. They’ll be more relaxed, and more comfortable in their second game, and be able to keep this one close down the stretch.

Take the nine points that the road Bobcats are getting.

Aaron’s Pick: Charlotte +9 –  JOIN HERE!