Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic Betting Odds & Predictions: May 12th 2009

Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic
Free Pick: Boston Celtics -2.0 (-110)
Tue May 12th 2009 8:05p - NBA Betting Odds
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The Magic should have considered themselves lucky to have held a late game lead in Game 4 in the first place. They shot miserably from the field (40% on 34-of-85 shooting), and shot an even more horrific 18.5% from beyond the arc. This coming after they seemingly couldn’t miss in Game 3 (almost 60% from the field & 50% from 3-point land). Now they have to go back to Boston where they’ve managed just two SU wins in their L/5 trips. On top of that, they’re a pathetic 4-13 ATS for NBA bettors the L/17 times they bumped uglies with the Celtics in Beantown. Game 4’s heartbreaking defeat has to have this club out of sorts. It’s hard to bounce back from gut wrenching defeats like that in the regular season let alone in the playoffs.

Boston has to be feeling good about themselves right now. They stole a game in Chicago in Round 1, and did the same on Sunday night. Big Baby’s shot will be talked about forever by Celtics fanatics, but more importantly, it might have been the shot that propels this club back to the Eastern Conference finals for the second year in a row. Now having all the series momentum, the Celtics get to play another contest in front of their home fans. They’ve had one heck of an exciting run thus far, and it doesn’t look to be over anytime soon.

Boston returned home for Game 5 in its last series against the Chicago Bulls and gutted out a 106-104 overtime victory. Though they failed to win for its betting backers, they still got the job done. The defending champs have played in a number of closely contested battles throughout the post-season, and tonight’s match-up looks to be no different. That being said, they’re only being asked to cover a bucket in this spot opposed to the 7.5-point spread they were tagged with in Game 5 against the Bulls. If Orlando does indeed go into the Garden and win this game, my hat goes off to them. I just don’t see it happening though. I’m expecting a huge game from Ray Allen tonight after he’s been held in check throughout the first four games. This will probably be a back and forth affair throughout the first three quarters, but home court advantage will rear its ugly head for Orlando supporters in the 4th and the Celtics will eek out the home win and cover to take a 3-2 series lead.