Posted:
#1
Orlando Magic -4. Let's put this one into perspective once again. The Magic lose game 1 by 25 points, and the line goes up for game 2 by .5. Money comes in on the Lakers, and the line doesn't move. The Magic, whom no one wants to back in that situation, cover the spread (with no help from a trying-to-foul Hedo Turkoglu).
Now, things get a bit more interesting. In the Cavs series, in which Orlando should have won both of the first two games, the Magic opened at home at -1.5. Now, a series in which the Magic got blown out in game 1 and still didn't look like they could finish a game (at least in OT), the Magic open at -4. It seems they are finally getting their dues. However, does anyone really expect this team to go down 3-0, against a Lakers team that has shown time and time again that they are incapable of putting their foot down and keeping up their level of intensity for four straight games. I sure don't.
Numbers from this series to keep in mind: Rafer Alston is 3-17 from the field (0-8 from 3-point range) after shooting 38% during the rest of the playoffs. JJ Redick is 3-11 in the series, after shooting over 36% (mostly 3's) in the playoffs. Dwight Howard is averaging a lowly 15 and 15 here, but the key is that he is shooting only 38%. Is there any chance this doesn't go up?? I say no. Lamar Odom is averaging 15 and 11 on 65% from the field, after a playoffs averaging 12 and 10 while shooting 50% form the field. Someone PLEASE try to make a case that this guy is going to keep this up, when he has made a living off putting in the work in games where he wants to, and chillin at the top of the key in games where he loses interest (the latter seems to be the situation in my mind for game 3). For instance, here are Odom's numbers in a letdown situation on the road in the previous two series'. Game 4 in Houston, after Lakers take back a 2-1 series lead: 1-4 FG, 6 rebounds, 2 TOs, 0-0 FT, 2 points in 25 minutes. In Game 4 in Denver, after Lakers take back a 2-1 series lead: 1-8 FG, 2-4 FT, 8 rebounds, 3 TOs in 30 minutes. He can't keep his head together, especially in a game in which he doesn't care if he wins or loses.
MrBator came into this thread before game 2 with a ridiculous stat, showing Orlando's tendency to come back from a road loss. I'm not sure if it's applicable here (I'll wait for his thread or his two cents in this one), but if it is, more power to the Magic here. I just don't see the Lakers keeping up at the level they have been playing for a road game in a series in which they lead 2-0.
Orlando Magic -4
Orlando Magic ML (hopefully around -180)
Now, things get a bit more interesting. In the Cavs series, in which Orlando should have won both of the first two games, the Magic opened at home at -1.5. Now, a series in which the Magic got blown out in game 1 and still didn't look like they could finish a game (at least in OT), the Magic open at -4. It seems they are finally getting their dues. However, does anyone really expect this team to go down 3-0, against a Lakers team that has shown time and time again that they are incapable of putting their foot down and keeping up their level of intensity for four straight games. I sure don't.
Numbers from this series to keep in mind: Rafer Alston is 3-17 from the field (0-8 from 3-point range) after shooting 38% during the rest of the playoffs. JJ Redick is 3-11 in the series, after shooting over 36% (mostly 3's) in the playoffs. Dwight Howard is averaging a lowly 15 and 15 here, but the key is that he is shooting only 38%. Is there any chance this doesn't go up?? I say no. Lamar Odom is averaging 15 and 11 on 65% from the field, after a playoffs averaging 12 and 10 while shooting 50% form the field. Someone PLEASE try to make a case that this guy is going to keep this up, when he has made a living off putting in the work in games where he wants to, and chillin at the top of the key in games where he loses interest (the latter seems to be the situation in my mind for game 3). For instance, here are Odom's numbers in a letdown situation on the road in the previous two series'. Game 4 in Houston, after Lakers take back a 2-1 series lead: 1-4 FG, 6 rebounds, 2 TOs, 0-0 FT, 2 points in 25 minutes. In Game 4 in Denver, after Lakers take back a 2-1 series lead: 1-8 FG, 2-4 FT, 8 rebounds, 3 TOs in 30 minutes. He can't keep his head together, especially in a game in which he doesn't care if he wins or loses.
MrBator came into this thread before game 2 with a ridiculous stat, showing Orlando's tendency to come back from a road loss. I'm not sure if it's applicable here (I'll wait for his thread or his two cents in this one), but if it is, more power to the Magic here. I just don't see the Lakers keeping up at the level they have been playing for a road game in a series in which they lead 2-0.
Orlando Magic -4
Orlando Magic ML (hopefully around -180)
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