Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday night favors the Boston Celtics in Basketball Betting Odds. The Celtics lead the best-of-seven series 2-0 and if they win on Saturday it would pretty much end the chances of Orlando. Boston is a 3-point favorite in NBA betting odds for Saturday’s game with a total of 190.
Basketball Betting Odds favor the Celtics but Boston was not a good home team this season vs. the spread. They were better on the road so the Magic may be able to get back into this series. Orlando has started poorly in both of the first two games of this series and although they have made some nice runs, the Celtics have held on to win. Paul Pierce scored 28 points and Rajon Rondo had 25 points and eight assists in the Game 2 win.
The Magic were expected to win this series in Basketball Betting Odds but so far it has been all Boston. The Magic had won 14 straight games coming into this series but now they are on the ropes trailing two games to none. Dwight Howard showed up in Game 2 as he had 30 points but Vince Carter missed two key free throws late and the Magic lost again.
History is not on the side of the Magic in NBA betting. The Celtics have never lost a series after winning the first two games as they are 32-0. Now they get to go home for Game 3 on Saturday. “Our fans won’t let us relax,” Pierce said. “We’re going to try and close it out in four games.” The Celtics are saying that they won’t relax now that they are headed home. “Just think our mind-set was to be ready for the type of intensity they would bring after losing at home,” Pierce said.
Orlando has been excellent on the road lately as they are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 road games. The Magic are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 playoff games as an underdog. The Magic are 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings in Boston. During the regular season the Celtics struggled at home vs. the point spread but in the playoffs they have been better. The Celtics are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 playoff games as a favorite.
Looking at the total we find that the Under is 5-1 in the Celtics last 6 Conference Finals games. The Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Boston between the two teams.