NBA Playoff Action – Even With Big Men Hurting, Boston Still Basketball Bet Fave to Beat Orlando

Even with Glen “Baby” Davis and Rasheed Wallace hurt, the Boston Celtics are the favorites in the NBA sportsbook on Friday night to beat the Orlando Magic in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals. This will be Boston’s third chance to close-out the series after the Magic put a beat down on the Celtics in Game 5 after beating Boston in overtime in Game 4.

Both Davis and Wallace will be game time decisions according to coach Doc Rivers. That’s a tough pill to swallow for sports gamblers who see the value the Celtics have at having one or both of those guys in the line-up. Luckily for Boston, Kendrick Perkins, who might have had to sit out Game 6 because of two flagrant fouls he received in Game 5, will suit up on Friday night. Yesterday, the NBA rescinded the second flagrant foul on Perkins.

Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics

Where: TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, MA

When: May 28th, 2010 at 8:30 pm EST

TV: ESPN

NBA Betting Odds

Orlando Magic +3 ½ -110 +150

Boston Celtics -3 ½ -110 -170

Both teams appear capable in this game based on the basketball betting trends.

• The Orlando Magic is 7 and 1 ATS in their last 8 games on the road.
• The Orlando Magic is 7 and 1 ATS in their last 8 games on the road versus a team with a winning home record.
• The Boston Celtics are 4 and 0 ATS in their last 4 games after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
• The Boston Celtics are 4 and 1 ATS in their last 5 games following an ATS loss.

The trends don’t give sports gamblers a lot to work with. This game is going to come down to heart and injuries.

In both categories, the Magic appears to have turned the tables on the Boston Celtics. A lot of that table turning has to do with the play of Jameer Nelson.

At one point, Orlando couldn’t stop Rajon Rondo. Now, it looks like Boston can’t stop Jameer Nelson. Nelson has been terrific the past two games. In Game 4 he posted 23 points, 9 assists and 5 boards. In Game 5, he went for 24 points, 5 assists and 5 boards.

Boston has another issue where they can’t stop Dwight Howard. I really believed Howard would take a step back in Game 5 and he sort of did. He only had 21 points and 10 boards, but he’s commanding so much attention in the middle that Orlando’s shooters, who are better than Boston’s, are getting incredible looks.

Boston is down to two legitimate individuals who can guard Howard, Kendrick Perkins and Kevin Garnett. A banged-up ‘Sheed and a banged-up Davis, even if both play, aren’t going to do much against the suddenly fired up Howard. Garnett, if he has to defend Howard too much, will end up becoming ineffective on the offensive end.

That’s the dilemma that the Boston Celtics face. Another dilemma they face is finding the necessary energy in order to take on the Magic again after securing a 3 to 0 lead in this series.

Orlando just looks like they want it more. Boston appears tired. I can’t go against the Magic in this game. I truly believe that they will find a way to pull this one out.

I’m going to make a basketball bet on the Orlando Magic to win Game 6.

NBA Betting Moneyline Pick: Orlando Magic +150