NBA Finals Update – Lakers up 2-0 heading back to Orlando

In 1985 the NBA Finals switched from a 2-2-1-1 7 Game Series to a 2-3-2 Seven Game Series.

I’m not exactly sure why that happened, but it has.  For some teams, it has evolved into a huge advantage.  For other teams, it’s become a big disadvantage.  What will it be for Orlando?

The Magic let one get away from them on Sunday night when rookie Courtney Lee couldn’t close out the game in a perfectly designed alley-oop play with .6 seconds left on the clock.  Lee should have ended the game at that point, but the Lakers and Magic entered overtime where L.A. pulled away to win by 5 points, 101 to 96.

What changes can BetOnline Sportsbook betting fans look forward to in Orlando?

Let’s take a look based on the betting line.

NBA Finals:  Los Angeles Lakers vs. Orlando Magic

Point Spread:  Orlando Magic -4 -110 for Game 3

Analysis:  Orlando no doubt will be a favorite in all three games at home. They probably should be after covering the spread against the Lakers in Game 2, but just because the Magic are at home, it doesn’t mean they are an automatic bet.

Orlando went 23 and 18 at home ATS.  That’s worse than their 26-14-1 record on the road this year.  So, the Magic don’t really gain an advantage at home against the spread.  Orlando lost twice to the Philadelphia 76’ers ATS at home and once to the Boston Celtics.  In the Cleveland series, the Magic did well by covering in all three home games. Orlando is 4 and 2 ATS in their last 6 games including a victory on Sunday night as they were 6 ½ point underdogs to L.A. but lost by only 5 points.

The Lakers are a better team on the road ATS as they have gone 23 and 18 against the spread in unfriendly arenas this year.  They beat Utah ATS on the road once, Houston ATS on the road once, and Denver ATS on the road twice in these playoffs.  L.A. has also gone 3 and 1 ATS and 4 and 0 straight-up in their last 4 games.

That means that Orlando may not have as big of an advantage at home against the spread as some gamblers might believe.

BetOnline Total:  198 for Game 3

Analysis:  The BetOnline Total has taken a full 5 point drop from Game 2 when the Magic and Lakers were expected to put up 203 points collectively.  It took an overtime period for the two teams to get to 198 on Sunday. 

So, if anything, the total is still higher than it should be.  Or, is it?

When Orlando has played at home during these playoffs, the over is 4 and 5.  That means that the under doesn’t have the advantage in this wager. 

When the L.A. Lakers are on the road, the over has gone 3 and 5.  What this means is that L.A. might not be as sharp on the road, but that they don’t lose anything defensively as they have a good road record ATS.

Bettors should be thinking under once again in the games in Orlando.