Free NBA Picks and Odds: Orlando Magic at New York Knicks on MSG Expert Predictions – NBA Betting Preview 3/28/11: MVP candidate Dwight Howard will lead the surging Orlando Magic to the Big Apple and Madison Square Garden to take on the slumping New York Knickerbockers with Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire on Monday night at 7:30 PM ET on MSG. The Magic come in on a 5 game winning streak at 47-26 – 2nd in the Southeast – and 4th overall in the East which is a good spot to be come playoff time. The Knicks on the other hand have lost 6 consecutive and have won just 1 of their last 10 and enter the game at 35-38 – 3rd in the Atlantic – and down to 7th in the Eastern Conference.
The Magic’s latest victory was a 95-85 win at home to the New Jersey Nets to move to 30-41-2 ATS for the season. Howard dominated the middle scoring 21 points with 14 rebounds while Hedo Turkoglu added 20 points and dished out 13 assists. “It was one of those nights when he really, really struggled,” said Magic Coach Stan Van Gundy after watching a bad performance by guard Gilbert Arenas. Vegas odds makers have the Orlando Magic +1000 to win the 2010-2011 NBA Championship.
The Knicks most recent defeat came 114-106 on the road to the Charlotte Bobcats to move them to a still impressive 40-31-2 ATS for the season. Anthony led the way with 36 points and 4 rebounds while Stoudemire chipped in 14 points 6 boards and 3 assists. Point guard Chauncey Billips also scored 14 to go along with 10 dimes. The total has gone OVER in 5 of last 7 games when playing at home against Orlando. Vegas odds makers have the over/under for the total score at 206 points combined of the New York Knicks and Orlando Magic.
I predict a Magic win and cover on the road.
FREE PICK: Orlando -2
GAME: Orlando (47-26) at New York (35-38)
TIME: 7:35 PM EST
TV: LOCAL
NBA Vegas Odds and Lines: Favorite: Orlando -2 Total: Over/Under 206.5
* Lines from Las Vegas Hilton Sportsbook