Magic Looking to Hedo Turkoglu to Get Over Lakers

The Magic showed that they belonged in the NBA Finals by pushing the Lakers to over-time, only to lose 101-96. At the very least they covered the spread, but going down 2-0 SU has warranted them zero merit amongst the NBA betting crowd. So what does this mean as the series swings to Orlando for Games 3, 4 and 5 (if needed)?

One thing was made astoundingly clear, if it wasn’t already, when Game 2 tipped off on Sunday night – Orlando will have to be nearly perfect to beat the Lakers. Maybe this isn’t a surprise to many, but it’s a stunner to many of us who sized up this matchup by position. Rashard Lewis is better than Arizia. Hedo Turkoglu is a European assassin. Jameer Nelson and Rafer Alston should be walking all over Derek Fisher. But in a game where Orlando shot well from everywhere on the floor, they allowed turnovers to decimate their gameplan.

L.A. Lakers vs. Orlando Magic

Tuesday, June 9th --- Amway Arena, Orlando --- 9:00pm EST

NBA Betting Line: Magic -4 (198)

The Lakers have effectively been able to contain two of the Magic’s biggest threats. Dwight Howard managed just 17-points in Game 2 and the Magic bench was softened by a foul filled game by Mickael Pietrus, who put just two-points on the board. Both Howard and the Magic bench have been pivotal in the playoffs, and Phil Jackson is effectively putting both of these factors to sleep before they can rise to be effective.

But momentum works in odd ways, and when a championship caliber team is pushed against the wall, it responds in due kind. The Magic will win Game 3, not just because they are at home, but because they have proven they deserve to be in this series. It always makes you queasy to think that your championship hopes and dreams lie on the broad shoulders of a freakish 23-year old like Dwight Howard, but the Magic are a very good team. Whether they are able to take the next step to “great” will be decided in Game 3.

NBA Betting Trends

-Orlando is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games
-Orlando is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games at home
-Orlando is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home
-The total has gone UNDER in 11 of the LA Lakers last 16 games on the road
-LA Lakers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games when playing Orlando

Bryan has averaged 34.5 points per game and has made Pau Gasol look like a rock star. Gasol is the glue for the Lakers and is feeding off the frenzy of the NBA finals like no other player on the floor right now. His energy and ferocity in the paint are neutralizing Dwight Howard. But tonight, the Magic will gain some momentum as they put the series at 2-1 SU with a win against the betting line.

NBA Furious Free Pick: Orlando -4 (UNDER)