Last Updated on April 18, 2010 10:00 am by drew
Magic-Bobcats Pick
The Orlando Magic make their run for another Eastern Conference title on Sunday at 5:30PM ET when they begin their 2010 NBA Playoff Series with the Charlotte Bobcats.
The Magic are the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference while the Bobcats are the No. 7 seed.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made Orlando the overwhelming favorites to win the series with a money line of -1000 while the Bobcats have a line of +600.
These two met four times this season with Orlando winning three of the meetings. Charlotte won the rebounding battle in all games but one.
Orlando is 59-23 this season as they won the Southeast Division. The Magic are 34-7 at home and 25-16 on the road. The Magic have the top record against the East in the conference at 39-13. Orlando also won nine of its last 10 games. Orlando is scoring 102.8 points per-game while the Magic allow just 95.3 points per-game. Dwight Howard averages 18.3 points and 13.2 rebounds per-game. Vince Carter averages 16.6 points per-game while Rashard Lewis averages 14.1 points per-game and Jameer Nelson adds 12.6 points per-game.
Charlotte is 44-38 this season as the Bobcats are making their first playoff appearance. The Bobcats are 31-10 at home, but 13-28 on the road. The Bobcats score the third fewest points in the league at 95.3 points per-game, but the Bobcats also allow the fewest points per-game at 93.8. Stephen Jackson leads the Bobcats with 21.1 points per-game while Gerald Wallace averages 18.2 points and 10 rebounds per-game. Raymond Felton and Raja Bell each add 12 points per-game.
Charlotte will be tough to beat at home but the Magic should have no problem taking care of them in Orlando. Since four games are played there, you have to go with the Magic. The Bobcats are just too inexperienced as a team to win this series, as their veteran leaders are not playoff veterans. Look for the Magic to win in six or even be tested to seven.
Our NBA Playoff Series Free Pick for this matchup is: ORLANDO MAGIC -1000
(Note: This free pick is for the entire seven game series and is not to be confused with our daily NBA picks, which are for individual games.)
ORLANDO is 44-33 ATS (+7.7 Units) in all games this season.
ORLANDO is 40-29 ATS (+8.1 Units) as a favorite this season.
ORLANDO is 79-57 ATS (+16.3 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons.
ORLANDO is 22-11 ATS (+9.9 Units) second half of the season this season.
ORLANDO is 23-11 ATS (+10.9 Units) on Sunday games over the last 3 seasons.
ORLANDO is 60-37 ATS (+19.3 Units) revenging a loss vs opponent over the last 3 seasons.
ORLANDO is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) after allowing 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
ORLANDO is 67-46 ATS (+16.4 Units) after scoring 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons.
CHARLOTTE is 91-72 ATS (+11.8 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CHARLOTTE is 55-40 ATS (+11.0 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
CHARLOTTE is 22-9 ATS (+12.1 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
CHARLOTTE is 49-30 ATS (+16.0 Units) versus good offensive teams – scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
Head-to-Head Series History
ORLANDO is 7-5 against the spread versus CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
ORLANDO is 10-2 straight up against CHARLOTTE over the last 3 seasons
9 of 12 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
CHARLOTTE
[C] 02/03/2010 – Alexis Ajinca out indefinitely ( Hand )
[C] 03/23/2010 – DeSagana Diop out indefinitely ( Illness )
[C] 04/15/2010 – Tyson Chandler is upgraded to probable Sunday vs. Orlando ( Hip )
ORLANDO
No significant injuries.
Orlando Magic -1000
Charlotte Bobcats +600
Magic vs. Bobcats Series Schedule:
Sunday, April 18 at Orlando, 5:30 p.m. on TNT
Wednesday, April 21 at Orlando, 7 p.m. on TNT
Saturday, April 24 at Charlotte, 2 p.m. on TNT
Monday, April 26 at Charlotte, TBA
*TBA at Orlando
*TBA at Charlotte
*TBA at Orlando
*If Necessary
Posted: 4/18/10 10:00AM ET