NBA Game of the Week – Magic Host Lakers In repeat of NBA Finals

Last season’s NBA Finals participants, the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic, will take to the court at Amway Arena looking to record a win – and send a message – in what figures to be an absolutely thrilling showdown between two of the league’s marquee franchises.

Sunday, March 7, 2:30 PM ET

TV: ABC, ESPN Radio

L.A. Lakers (46-15 SU, 26-32-3 ATS, 27-33 O/U)

Orlando (42-20 SU, 33-28-1 ATS, 25-37 O/U)

L.A. 411

Heading into Friday night, L.A. had its three-game winning streak snapped against Miami on Thursday and was looking to get back in the win column against Charlotte.

L.A. has gone 17-11 SU and 11-16-1 ATS on the road this season and averages a stellar 103.0 points per game (fifth) while allowing 96.4 points per contest defensively (seventh).

Orlando 411

Orlando rode a three-game SU and ATS winning streak into Friday night and was coming off an emphatic 117-90 win over the Golden State Warriors the last time out.

The Magic are averaging 101.7 points per game this season (10th) while allowing 95.6 points per contest defensively (sixth).

Analysis: The Lakers beat Orlando 98-92 on Jan. 18 but the final score played out as a Push with the Lakers as 6-point home favorites.

In this contest, I am going to play the Orlando Magic to return the favor and beat L.A. in a nail-biter before a national TV audience.

Orlando has gone a scorching 24-6 SU and 17-13 ATS on their home floor this season while L.A. has gone a solid 17-11 SU but just 11-16-1 ATS on the road.

The Magic will likely be favored by somewhere in the neighborhood of 2-5 points – and I say they cash in for pro basketball betting enthusiasts by the slimmest of margins.

NBA Expert Picks: Orlando Magic to Cover ATS