Los Angeles Lakers vs. Orlando Magic Betting Odds & Picks: June 11th 2009

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Orlando Magic - Game Four
Free Pick: Los Angeles Lakers (115) - Thu Jun 11 ‘09 9:05p
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The Lakers got off to a blistering start in Game Three, but failed to execute late in the contest turning the ball over and missing shots to take a close loss. LA shot 51 percent from the field for the game, but was doomed by shooting just 61 percent (16/26) from the free-throw line.

Lakers G Kobe Bryant was an abysmal 5/10 (50 percent) from the charity stripe after making 87 percent of his free throws up to this point in the 2009 NBA Playoffs. Kobe didn’t take a shot until 5:17 remained in the first quarter and finished that stanza with 17 points, including a four-point play.

Bryant seemed gassed and Lakers Head Coach Phil Jackson kept him on the bench for half of the fourth quarter while the Magic took a nine-point lead they would never relinquish. The Lakers are a respectable 4-4 ATS on the road in the postseason after covering a 4.5-point spread for Game Three.

The Magic managed to win by shooting the lights out on Tuesday night as they shot an NBA Finals record 62.5 percent from the floor. Orlando shot 75 percent in the first half (NBA Finals record), but led by just five-points at halftime.

Magic F Hedo Turkoglu was a big part of their success scoring 18 points, dishing out seven assists, while grabbing six rebounds. Turk will need to be a huge factor for Orlando tonight if they want to even this series with the Lakers.

Another key for the Magic is the outstanding play of reserve G Mickael Pietrus who scored 18 points and got the steal from Bryant that propelled his team to victory. Orlando is 8-3 ATS in its L/11 contests with a 4-1 ATS mark at home in that stretch.

The Lakers will no doubt have their hands full with the Magic tonight, but that 62.5 percent shooting for Orlando and just a four-point win doesn’t bode well for the home team. NBA bettors can expect to see the Lakers cover this ‘spread’ tonight and take a commanding three to one series lead.