San Antonio Spurs (40-25 SU 33-32 ATS) vs. Orlando Magic (47-21 SU 34-30-4 ATS) Amway Arena, Orlando, FL 8 PM EST Wednesday March 17, 2010 on ESPN
by Jason Green at Predictem.com
Point Spread: Spurs +7.5 / Magic -7.5
Over/Under: 193
Tonight the Orlando Magic host the streaking San Antonio Spurs, who are looking to sweep their Sunshine State road trip. The Spurs have won 4 in a row and are 8-2 in their last 10 games and even though the Magic are coming off a loss they are 8-2 in their last 10 games.
The Magic look to win their 3rd straight game over the Spurs tonight, which is something Orlando has never done.
This season the Magic are 27-7 at home and the Spurs are 16-15 on the road.
The Spurs have played great for the past few weeks and one of the main reasons is their defense, as in their last 8 games they are only giving up an average of 88.5 ppg.
Since PG Tony Parker was lost for the season with a broken hand San Antonio is 4-1. Manu Ginobili, who has averaged 21.6 ppg since he has become a starter, and Parker’s backup George Hill (12.1 ppg) have taken up the slack.
Both teams have a great defense and the team that can come through on the offensive end of the court will come out on top in this game.
The Spurs and Magic have been stellar on the boards this season, but the Spurs will have their hands full tonight against Dwight Howard (18.7 ppg 13.2 rpg), who leads the league in rebounding. San Antonio cannot allow Superman to control the glass and get easy buckets in the paint.
If the Magic shooters of Vince Carter (16.6 ppg), Rashard Lewis (14.2 ppg), and Jameer Nelson (12.3 ppg) can hit the open J tonight they will be tough to beat, as it will open up the lane for Howard to work his magic.
Tim Duncan (18.5 ppg 10.4 rpg) has to have a good game both offensively and defensively for the Spurs to win this game.
The Spurs beat the Miami Heat 88-76 last night in their last game. The high scorer for San Antonio in the game was Manu Ginobili going for 22 points on 7/14 shooting. For the game the Spurs shot 34/76 for a FG% of 44.7%. On defense the Spurs held the Heat to 30/78 for a paltry FG% of 38.5%.
The Magic had their 8-game winning streak snapped in their last game losing to the Charlotte Bobcats 96-89 on Sunday. The high scorer for the Orlando in the game was Dwight Howard going for 27 points on 12/14 shooting and he also grabbed 16 boards. For the game the Magic shot 33/72 for a FG% of 45.8%. On D the Magic allowed the Bobcats to shoot 35/75 for a FG% of 46.7%.
This season the Magic rank 11th in scoring (101.8 ppg) and the Spurs rank 14th (101 ppg). On defense the Magic rank 4th in opponents’ points allowed (95.1 ppg) and the Spurs rank 7th (95.7 ppg). Both teams are solid on the boards, as the Spurs have a rebounding differential of +3.0 rpg and the Magic are at +2.9 rpg.
According to the Sagarin NBA ratings the Magic rank 3rd (95.35) and the Spurs rank 7th (93.69).
San Antonio is 8-0 ATS in their last 8 games, 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games, and 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games as an underdog.
San Antonio has an Under record of 4-0 in their last 4 road games, an Under record of 6-1 in their last 7 games, and an Under record of 7-0 in their last 7 games as a road underdog.
Orlando is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 home games, 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games against teams with a winning record, and 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games as a favorite of 5.0-10.5.
Orlando has an Under record of 15-5-1 in their last 21 home games and an Under record of 4-0 in their last 4 games against teams with a winning road record.
On the injury front SF Matt Barnes and SF Mickael Pietrus are day-to-day for Orlando while the Spurs rare not reporting any significant injuries.
Jason’s Pick: The Spurs haven’t lost a game by 7 points or more in their last 11 games. San Antonio should be motivated for this game as well as the Magic beat them on their home court the last two times these teams faced each other. Take the Spurs to cover the spread.