NBA Finals Parlay: Orlando Magic vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Game-time: 6/4/2009

Tip-off: 9:00 pm est.

The NBA Finals is finally upon us and the BetOnline sportsbook is offering the best in NBA Finals wagering on the planet.

The Orlando Magic, who beat the Los Angeles Lakers twice this season, will look to make it three in a row on Thursday night. They may or may not have the services of their all-star point guard, Jameer Nelson.

With or without Nelson, the Magic will pose a formidable challenge to the L.A. Lakers because nobody on the Lakers’ team appears capable of guarding Dwight Howard.

Let’s take a look at the parlay for Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

NBA Finals Parlay: Orlando Magic vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Point Spread: Orlando +6

BetOnline Total: 206

Analysis: The Orlando Magic go into L.A. as big underdogs in Game 1. Contrary to what many bettors might think, the Magic could possibly have the upper hand in this series as they have beaten the Lakers twice this season.

But L.A. showed its fortitude when it absolutely squashed the Denver Nuggets in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals. Can the Lakers keep home court advantage by beating the Magic in game one? Of course they can, but will they be able to cover?

The facts are hard to dispute. Orlando is one of the best three point shooting teams in the NBA and definitely the better three point shooting team in this series. So, the Magic have that advantage over the Lakers when it comes to behind the arc. It becomes a bigger advantage because the Lakers appear incapable of guarding Dwight Howard. Howard needs only wait for the double team, decide to go for the score and get the foul, or send the ball out to one or possibly two open three point shooters.

If Howard stays out of foul trouble, then the Magic should not only beat the spread but have a terrific chance of winning this game outright.

So, the Magic at +6 is the first part of our parlay.

As far as the BetOnline Total is concerned, there is really only one thing that the NBA betting fans need to worry about, whether or not the Magic decide to play within the flow of the game.

The Lakers will try to push the ball so as to keep Dwight Howard away from guarding the lane. If the Lakers push, then the Magic must decide to push back or to stay within their half court game.

I believe the Magic will push back. They’ve been successful all year pushing the ball up the court and taking open three point shots or passing to the runner for a dunk. They should do the same in this series.

This game should go over the BetOnline Total.

Pick: Orlando Magic at +6 to over the BetOnline Total of 206