NBA Betting - Indiana Pacers vs Orlando Magic Preview

NBA - Indiana Pacers v Orlando Magic

The Indiana Pacers are hosting the Orlando Magic tonight.

Pacers have been on a very good run at home in January, but since this month started they've lost 3 of 3, 113-122 at home vs Knicks, 111-116 at home vs Timberwolves and last night 94-99 in Philadelphia against the 76ers. The reason for this slump is just that they are shooting badly, neither Granger or Dunleavy managing to get the performances from January. Moreover, Granger has a slight knee injury that has made him score only 2 points in the 2nd half last night, playing with a bandage on the knee. Today the knee is still bruised and he might have problems running all game, so his performance will suffer for sure.

The Magic have been in incredible form lately, winning against all the top teams. Only one exception to this was in the game against the Mavericks at home, when Magic had a horrible shooting night and lost 95-105. OF of their main players Nelson got injured at that point and the Magic seemed to be in some kind of trouble without their point guard, but in the last game against the Clippers, A. Johnson had 25 points and 4 rebounds, while Courtney Lee had 21 points and 4 assists, so these guys really balanced the Magic's game in Nelson's absence.

These teams met three times this season. The first game took place in Indianapolis, and the Magic won by 2 points in overtime, in a game where they had one of the worst shooting night, at about 40%, but still managed to win even though they were also out-rebounded. The second game was in Orlando and the Magic won 110-96, this time both teams shooting about 50%. Nelson was out in this game, but thanks to some Dwight Howard magic, the Magic pulled it out and win by DD. Courtney Lee appeared in this match-up and had a decent performance, so did Michael Pietrus. The third game was also in Orlando, and it was that widely discussed 135-111 win for the Magic, when they managed to get 23 3-point shots. Again, Courtney Lee and Pietrus had good days, while Nelson was not that important as regards scoring.

Lately, the Pacers are playing worse and worse, while the Magic are constantly efficient with only rare slumps, shooting 50% in most of their games. The Pacers had 39% shooting last night in Philadelphia, even though the 76ers did not play as well as they could have.

If Granger doesn't have a 30+ performance, i don't see how the Magic could not cover this spread in their current form. Last season, Orlando won at Indiana 121-115, while tonight it will be a match with a lower score in my opinion, maybe staying under the 216 line offered, but with a 10-13 points win for the Magic. Keeping it medium stakes though, as i cannot be certain of this Johnson guy making 9 of 11 shots again. Still he has the sharpshooter touch as he made 6 of 8 from beyond the arc, so the Magic could continue their 3-point dominance tonight. With Howard inside, the only thing the Magic will need is a decent Turkoglu, as he has not been as brilliant in recent games. With Indiana's joke defense lately, he should have enough space tonight to help his team cover this spread. Good luck.

Pick : Magic -6
Odds : 1.91
Stake : 6 / 10
Bookmaker : Expekt
Match Result : 107-102
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