Orlando Magic at New York Knicks
Tuesday, 11/2/2010, 7:30 PM EST
Opening Point Spread: Orlando -6
Current Betting Line: Orlando -7
Opening Total: 199
Current Total: 201
Orlando looks to rebound from a terrible 96-70 road loss to the Miami Heat in a game that it managed to score just 25 points in the second half. “Against a good defensive team, we have trouble,” Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy commented. “We don’t have great one-on-one players. For us to play offensively, we have to move the ball.” Center Dwight Howard looked sensational on the offensive end in the first half, scoring 19 points, but failed to score after the break due to foul trouble. The team’s 70 points was the fewest for them since December 2, 2005 against Memphis and also set a franchise low with just five assists. Guard Vince Carter was also hurt in the first half due to hitting his head on the floor, but he should be ready to return to action tonight. The team is 92-68 ATS as a favorite and the NBA odds page has them listed as a solid road favorite.
The Magic have a great opportunity in rejoining the win column by facing a team that it beat by double-digits three times last year. Orlando shot 53.9 percent last season in sweeping the season series and Howard averaged 22.7 points and 13 rebounds. The squad is 43-38 all-time versus New York, including a 19-21 mark on the road during the regular season. Van Gundy’s club has always been highly-focused on beating Eastern Conference opponents, posting a 115-43 record during his tenure. Orlando is currently 0-1 on the road this season and finished with a 25-16 mark away from home in 2009-10.
New York experienced a festive atmosphere in its home opener only to drop a 100-95 decision to the visiting Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday. “We gave them a run for their money and we didn’t play particularly well,” forward Amare Stoudemire said. “We are going to be OK.” The Knicks haven’t dropped their first two home games since the beginning of the 2006-07 season, but will have a tough time tonight, with all five starters having played just three games together. “We’re still getting used to each other, still trying to get that chemistry,” said point guard Raymond Felton. New York enters the season as one of the youngest teams in the NBA with an average age of 24.6. The club is 2-0 ATS this season.
The Knicks have been led by the scoring of Wilson Chandler and Stoudemire, which have averaged 21.0 and 21.3 points respectively. New York’s new-look team should gain confidence in knowing that Stoudemire went 11-1 in his career versus Orlando as a member of the Phoenix Suns. He has managed to average four straight double-doubles versus the Magic, averaging 23.3 points and 12.0 rebounds. The offense desperately needs to get Danilo Gallinari going offensively, as he says the wrist sprain he suffered on his shooting hand in the preseason isn’t an excuse for his poor shooting. “The more we make a big deal out of it, he’ll make a big deal,” said head coach Mike D’Antoni. “He’s got to fight and hunker down.”
Bettors will find that the Magic are 20-5-1 ATS following a SU loss of more than 10 points, while the Knicks are 16-5 ATS on Tuesday.
The action has just started on the hardcourt and there’s no better time to get NBA expert picks from Maddux Sports for the rest of the season.
