Free NBA Picks and Odds: Orlando Magic at Phoenix Suns on ABC Expert Predictions – NBA Betting Preview 3/13/11: Dwight “Superman” Howard will lead the Orlando Magic on the road to the US Airways Center to take on point guard Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns on Sunday afternoon at 3:30 PM ET on ABC Sports. The Suns enter coming in off a loss but and have won 6 of their last 10 entering the game at 33-30 – 2nd in the Pacific – they are 9th overall in the Western Conference just 1 ½ games behind Memphis for the final spot if the playoffs began today. The Magic are also coming off a loss and are also 6-4 in their last 10 games so they come in at 41-25 good for 2nd in the Atlantic and 4th overall in the Eastern Conference. This will be the first time they have faced each other since their big trade early in the season.
In December the Magic acquired Hedo Turkoglu, Jason Richardson and Earl Clark from Phoenix for Marcin Gortat, Mickael Pietrus, Vince Carter, a 2011 first-round pick and cash. Carter doesn’t want that to be a big deal to this game. “Of course I want to play well and that’s a team that we need to beat, but it’s just important as the Houston game after that,” Carter told the Suns’ official website. “When you’re playing for a playoff spot, it has more to do with what you need to do more than what it says on their jersey.” The odds makers at BetUs Sportbook have the Phoenix Suns a +5 point dog at home against the Orlando Magic.
The Magic are coming off a 123-120 loss at the Golden State Warriors and moved to 28-36-2 ATS for the season. Jason Richardson led the Magic with 30 points along with 2 rebounds and 3 assists and Turkoglu and Nelson each chipped in 24 points while Nelson dished 8 assists as well. Howard only scored 13 points but pulled down 21 boards as well as 4 assists. “If we can’t defend the 3-point line any better, we’ll get our (butts) kicked again,” Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. Vegas odds makers have the Orlando Magic +1100 to win the 2010-2011 NBA Championship.
The Suns are coming off a 116-97 beat down at home to the Denver Nuggets moving them to 29-33-1 ATS for the season. Gortat led the Suns off the bench with 14 points and 18 rebounds while Grant Hill and Hakim Warrick led the starters with 12 points apiece. Phoenix is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Orlando and the total has gone OVER in 5 of last 6 games when playing at home against Orlando. Vegas odds makers have the over/under for the total score at 198 points combined of the Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic.
FREE PICK: Orlando Magic -5
Bet it at BoDog Sportsbook
MATCHUP: Orlando (41-25) at Phoenix (33-30)
GAME TIME: 3:30 PM EST
TELEVISION: ABC
Recent Magic and Suns NBA Betting Odds Trends:
Orlando: Under is 12-4 in ORL last 16 overall.
Over is 6-2 in ORL last 8 games as a road favorite.
Under is 37-14-1 in ORL last 52 Sun. games.
Phoenix: Over is 13-3 in PHO last 16 Sun. games.
PHO are 14-6-2 ATS in their last 22 Sun. games.
Opening Vegas Odds from Las Vegas
Favorite: Orlando -5
Total: O/U 203
* These are the Morning Lines at Ceasars Palace in Las Vegas
Check out NSAwins daily for the internet’s best NBA basketball and online sports betting information including NBA Game Odds and NBA Free Expert Predictions plus some of the best sportsbook bonus codes including a HUGE EXCLUSIVE 100% BONUS upto $250 FREE using our BoDog Bonus Code!