The Magic lost in NBA betting on Sunday to the Celtics 92-88 and for the most part they never showed up. Orlando is expected to bring a much better effort on Tuesday in this game that can be seen on ESPN. Basketball playoffs betting odds list the Magic as 7.5 point favorites against the Celtics on Tuesday. If the Magic are to beat the Celtics and cover the spread they are going to need a lot more out of Dwight Howard than they got on Sunday. Howard was pushed around by the Celtics and held to 13 points. The Magic looked rusty against the Celtics since they had almost a week off and Howard was never in synch. Game 2 on Tuesday night will decide if Game 1 was an aberration or if the Magic are in serious trouble in this basketball playoffs betting series.
The Celtics got a combined 47 points from Ray Allen and Paul Pierce in Game 1. Boston played excellent defense and forced Orlando into 18 turnovers. The Magic made only five of 22 three-point shots as Rashard Lewis did another disappearing act for Orlando. When Howard and Lewis are both struggling it is tough for Orlando to win.
Boston has been a good underdog lately in NBA betting. They are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games as an underdog. On the road they are also excellent getting points. The Celtics are 57-28-2 ATS in their last 87 games as a road underdog. The Celtics are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Orlando.
Orlando is normally a very good favorite. The Magic are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 playoff games as a favorite. They have been good at home as they are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 home games.
Looking at the total in basketball playoffs betting we find that 8 of the last 10 Boston Conference Finals games have gone under the total. Four of the last five Orlando games overall have gone under although in the Conference Finals, five of their last seven have gone over the total. When Boston and Orlando meet the games have been going under with eight of the last nine going under the total.