Indiana Pacers AT Orlando Magic
April 13, 2011 at 8 PM EST
Opening Line: Orl -2
Current Line: Orl -2.5
Opening Total: 197
Current Total: 196
Opening Moneyline: Orl -145 / Ind +125
Current Moneyline: Orl -145 / Ind +125
The “throw in” from the Vince Carter trade of last summer has begun to look like much more than a throw in, playing at a level rarely seen from the aging Carter during his stint in Orlando. This throw in player of course is Ryan Anderson, who over his last two games is averaging 23 points per game, 12 rebounds per game, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, and he held down the fort April 6th against Chicago, while Dwight Howard served a one game suspension. Though the Magic lost the game by 3, it was a moral victory to know they were that close to beating the best team in the Eastern Conference without their MVP Candidate center.
The Magic have won both games with Indiana this season and will look to sweep them tonight. Orlando has also won their last 5 home games against the Pacers.
The Pacers are headed towards an almost certain playoff death against the Chicago Bulls, but a team with a 37-44 record would not even be relevant in the West, and only in the top heavy East have teams been regularly making the playoffs with sub .500 seasons. They lost by only one point to the Knicks on Sunday, and have still won 4 of their last 6 games, but Chicago is too much talent for the Pacers to take on.
“We had the game, let it get away,” said Granger, who scored 20 points. “I have no comments on the final play of the game.”
That “final play” Granger spoke of was a shot that Anthony blocked. Granger obviously felt he weas fouled. Hibbert has 19 and 10 that night while second year point guard Darren Collison scored 16. Despite the 37 win record, this is still a decent season in Pacers terms, as it will be their first playoff appearance since 05-06.
Some betting trends:
Indiana is 5-2 SU in their last 7 games and the total has gone OVER In 5 of Indiana’s last 7 games. The Pacers are 3-9 SU in their last 12 on the road and the Pacersa re also 3-7 ATS in their last 10 road games. The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Indiana’s last 10 games on the road and the total has gone UNDER in 5 of their last 7 against the Orlando Magic. Indiana is 1-5 SU in their last 6 games against the Magic and the Pacers are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games on the road in Orlando. The total has gone OVER in 4 of Indiana’s last 6 games on the road against the Orlando Magic.
Orlando is 5-14 ATS in their last 19 games and the total has gone UNDER in 10 of Orlando’s last 15 games. The Magic are 9-4 SU in their last 13 games and are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 home games. The total has gone UNDER In 6 of the last 7 Magic home games and the Magic are 4-1 SU in their last 5 home games. Orlando is 5-1 SU in their last 7 games against the Pacers and the total has gone UNDER in 5 of the Magic’s last 7 games against the Indiana Pacers. The total has gone OVER in 4 of Orlando’s last 6 against Indiana at home and the Magic are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at home against the Pacers. The Magic are 4-9-1 ATS in their last 14 games at home against the Pacers.
With both teams already knowing whom they are playing in the playoffs, tonight’s game represents little more than a “tune up” for both teams. Orlando is looking for more strong play from their interior, as they are the 6th best rebounding team in the league and are going to need every bit of that in the rugged Eastern Conference.
