Los Angeles Lakers-Orlando Magic: Betting Odds and Picks, June 7, 2009
Free Pick: Orlando Magic +6.5 (-110) NBA betting odds—Sun June 7, 200909 8:00 PM.
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For the first quarter and a half, the Magic looked to be unfazed by the bright lights of the finals. But in the end, their inexperience bit them on the backside. After being such a great second-half team in the postseason, Orlando flopped in the second half, putting up just 32 points.
Magic center Dwight Howard had a disappointing night, scoring just 12 points with 10 of those coming from the foul line. Howard managed just one of six from the field, but posted his usual double-double, adding 15 rebounds to his effort. Orlando has never won an NBA Finals game SU going 0-5 in its history. Tonight, the Magic will look to build on a 5-6 ATS mark on the road in the postseason.
The Lakers sent a bold statement to the Magic, and all the critics that have them as heavy "favorites" in this series, scoring over 100 points for a seventh straight game. LA has been up and down the entire playoffs, but seems to have finally found its grove at the right time. Lakers guard Kobe Bryant put up 40 points for the third time in his L/7 contests in game one, schooling the young Magic with his sweet jump shot.
Kobe had a near triple-double on Thursday, adding eight rebounds and eight assists, while blocking two shots defensively. The Lakers are 5-5 ATS on their home floor in the 2009 NBA playoffs, and they hope to build on that to take a 2-0 series lead tonight.
Just when folks begin to doubt the Magic, they seem to respond with a loud vengeance and have lost consecutive contests just once in these playoffs against the Boston Celtics. The Magic are 6-1 SU, after a loss this postseason, which is a stat that leads me to believe they will have a great bounce-back performance in game two.
Look for the Magic to find new ways to defend Bryant, while Howard has another 20/20 performance to tie the series heading to Orlando.
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