Orlando Magic at Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Odds


Opening Line: Orlando +6.5 / Cleveland -6.5 O/U 194

Time: 8 PM EST Thursday February 11, 2010 on TNT

Tonight in a match up that looks more and more like a preview of the Eastern Conference finals the red-hot Cleveland Cavaliers host the Orlando Magic. The Cavs have won 12 straight and lead the East by 6 games over the Magic. Orlando has been no slouch lately, as they have won 3 in a row, are 8-2 in their last 10 games, and lead the Atlanta Hawks by 2 games over the Atlanta Hawks.

This season the Cavs are a NBA best 23-3 at home and 27-26 ATS and the Magic are 16-12 on the road and 24-25-3 ATS.

In their last games the Magic smoked the Chicago Bulls 107-87 last night and the Cavs beat the New Jersey Nets 104-97 on Tuesday night.

The Cavs are on the longest winning streak in the NBA this season and tonight look to tie the franchise record with their 13th straight win.

The Cavs have won 21 of their last 22 home games.

One of the main reasons the Cavs are winning is that Shaq (11.7 ppg) is playing much better than he did at the beginning of the season, as LeBron James (29.8 ppg) and company have learned to integrate him into the offense. In Cleveland's winning streak the Diesel is averaging 15.3 ppg on 63.9% shooting.

The main reason the Cavs brought Shaq aboard was to play defense, especially on Dwight Howard, who killed Cleveland in last season's playoffs. In the last match up between these 2 teams on November 11th Shaq did his duty holding Howard to only 11 points and 7 boards in a Cavs' win.

Even though the Cavs are winning they will, again, be shorthanded, as Mo Williams (16.9 ppg) is out and Delonte West (7.4 ppg) will likely not play tonight.

Vince Carter (16.5 ppg) seems to have finally snapped out of his long shooting slump, as in his last 5 games he is averaging (24.2 ppg).

Rashard Lewis (14.9 ppg) did not play in the first meeting between these 2 teams this season and he averaged 18.3 ppg in last season's Eastern Conference finals, but his scoring average this season is his lowest since the 2000-2001 season.

The Cavs will have to win this game with their defense, which is the 2nd ranked unit in the league, as they only have 2 players in the starting lineup, LeBron and Shaq, which are averaging in double figures.

Orlando is 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 road games, 3-7-1 ATS in their last 11 road games against teams with a winning home record, and have an Under record of 5-1 in their last 6 games.

Cleveland is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games, 11-4 ATS in their last 15 games against teams with a winning percentage above 60%, and has an Over record of 5-1-1 in their last 7 home games.

Our Selection : The Cavs are 23-3 at home this season and are 21-1 since Nov 5th. Cleveland hasn't fared as well against the spread on home court, covering the line in only 11 of the 26 games. However, the Cavaliers are a big roll, winners of 12 straight games. During the streak they have been especially strong at home, outscoring their opposition by an average margin of 14 points (107.6 to 93.4) in their L5. The Magic are no cupcakes winning 8 of their last 10 including 3 of their last 4 on the road. We obviously don't expect them to roll over in this game, but we think this line is manageable for the Cavs. Take the Cavaliers -6


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