Game 3: Series Tied 1-1
Tip off: 7:35 PM EST
Spread: IND -3
Total: 183.5
M/L: IND -160, ORL +140
Bet at Bookmaker, the source of these NBA betting odds
The Vegas spread for game two was set at 9.5, and the Pacers avenged their game 1 loss to win by 15. With the Magic traveling home, NBA oddsmakers have set the line at this one at IND -3. Should Indy be favored after losing at home and then traveling to face Orlando on the road?
There’s a lot of reasons for Magic fans to have hope. They won game 1 without Ryan Anderson having a good game. Glen “Don’t Call Me Big Baby” Davis has been playing out off his mind, and making Roy Hibbert a near non-factor. Jason Richardson has played rejuvenated defense and frustrated athletic youngster Paul George. Even Hedo Turkoglu has held Danny Granger in check.
What can Indiana do to win this game as they are favored to? Staying up on the Magic’s shooters is still essential, and it is on Darren Collison to prevent Jameer Nelson from having a big night. For all the Magic floor general may or may not be, he is capable of scoring in bunches, as he showed two seasons ago when he almost single handedly brought the Magic down from a 3-0 defect against the Celtics. Jameer has big game potential, and Indiana will have to keep an eye on him, because unlike most of the other Magic players, Jameer is very adept at creating his own shot.
It’s really all on the Magic here. No one expected them to push this past 5 games, and going into game 3, it’s knotted up. They have shown an impressive ability to play defense even without three time Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard, and that shows a lot not only about how the players value defense, but also speaks to the quality of Stan Van Gundy’s coaching.
Stay tuned, this one very well could go seven.
Pacers Betting Trends:
Indiana is 33-35 ATS this season and 19-25 ATS as a favorite. They are 17-16 ATS on the road and 6-9 ATS after allowing 85 points or less. They are 10-11 ATS after a win of 15 or more, and 7-5 ATS vs teams with winning records in the second half of the season.
Magic Betting Trends:
The Magic are 35-33 ATS this season and 12-10 ATS as an under dog. They are 17-16 ATS at home and 4-1 ATS after three consecutive ‘unders’ They are 5-8 ATS vs teams with winning records in the second half of the season.
