NBA Lock Alert - Charlotte Bobcats vs. Orlando Magic
Charlotte (+12½) at Orlando (-12½)(O/U) 180
Tonight at 7:00 PM ET
The Charlotte Bobcats (3-6 SU, 5-4 ATS, 4-5 O/U) made a trade earlier today that should help the offensively-challenged team put the ball in the hole a lot easier than they have so far this season.
Ranked dead last in scoring (82.4 ppg), the Bobcats acquired talented swingman Stephen Jackson and former collegiate star Acie Law from the Golden State Warriors in exchange for veterans Raja Bell and Vladimir Radmanovic.
Now the ‘new look’ Bobcats will try to snap a four-game losing streak in the BetUS sports book when they visit the talented and depth-laden Orlando Magic (7-3 SU, 6-4 ATS, 5-5 O/U) at Amway Arena tonight at 7 PM ET.
What the Bobcats need to do to win
The Bobcats play some of the best defense of any team in the league, allowing just 88.6 points per game this season and will need a strong defensive effort tonight to stop the offensive-minded Magic tonight.
Nevertheless, the most important thing the Bobcats need to do is improve their offensive output. Charlotte has failed to crack the 75-point barrier in two straight games while topping the 83-point plateau just once in their last six games.
What the Magic need to do to win
Score the ball. Orlando is averaging 100 points per game, but they haven’t looked very fluid on offense lately, topping the century mark just once in their last five games.
Trends
Under is 8-1 in the last 9 meetings.
Under is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings in Orlando.
Home team is 15-6 ATS in the last 21 meetings.
Bobcats are 1-7 ATS in the last 8 meetings in Orlando.
Analysis: The Bobcats lost to Orlando 93-81 last Tuesday and I believe tonight’s contest is going to be an instant replay of that meeting. The Magic, even at less than full strength, are just too talented for the Bobcats to keep up with.
Besides, Charlotte is now going to need at least a few practices to incorporate Jackson into their offense.
With the Home team in this series going a consistent 15-6 ATS in the last 21 meetings and the Bobcats going a disappointing 1-7 ATS in the last eight meetings in Orlando, the Magic are the easy pick here.
NBA Free Picks: Orlando Magic -11 Points
