Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics 2011 NBA Preview, Odds, and Predictions: Center Dwight Howard will lead the Orlando Magic on the road to TD Garden to take on the Boston Celtics at 8:00 PM ET on Monday night on TNT Sports. Orlando enters the game coming off a win at 26-14 2nd in the Southeast while Boston has won 2 in a row and come in at 30-9 1st in the Atlantic. The Celtics will have Kevin Garnett back in the lineup after missing 9 games in which the Celts went 6-3 in his absence. Shaquille O’Neal filled in admirably on Friday scoring 23 points and getting 5 blocks but is questionable against the Magic due to a leg injury he suffered slipping on ice. “I knew that whatever happened I was going to be ready. I’ve been in foul trouble and haven’t really played a lot of minutes so there was really no excuse for me to be tired,” O’Neal said regarding Fridays performance. “I just came out and got a few more touches tonight and just did what I do.” In their last meeting Shaq was affective in getting Howard in foul trouble. “There was no question they were using Shaq to try to get Dwight in foul trouble,” Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. The odds makers at BetUS have the Boston Celtics a -3 point favorite at home against the Orlando Magic.
The Celtics were a winner at home recently 99-94 over the Charlotte Bobcats and are now at an even .500 19-19-1 ATS for the season. Shaq led the scoring with 23 points and 5 rebounds while all 5 starters were in double figures. Paul Pierce and Ray Allen both scored 19 while Rajon Rondo added 18 points and 13 dimes. Glen Davis chipped in with 11 points and 5 boards as well. Boston is 20-3 SU in its last 23 games at home. Vegas odds makers have the Boston Celtics +350 to win the 2010-2011 NBA Championship.
The Magic are also coming of a victory 108-99 over the Minnesota Timberwolves and are at 17-22-1 ATS for the season. Jason Richardson led the Magic with 23 points and 3 rebounds while Dwight Howard scored 16 points and pulled down 9 boards. The total has gone UNDER in 6 of last 7 games when playing on the road against Boston. Vegas odds makers have the over/under for the total score at 189 points combined of the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics.
I predict a Celtics victory at home!
Note: Rich Fritz is a Blog Writer on NSAwins.com and not a pro handicapper. For expert NFL Football Predictions against the Vegas spreads please visit the NSAwins.com homepage for top predictions today from the National Sports Advisors.