NBA Betting Preview - Orlando Magic at Los Angeles Lakers (Friday 10:30 ET)
The Lakers (31-7, 18-20 ATS) are 4.5-point favorites, with a total of 213.5 at Sportsbook.com.
Kobe and company lead the NBA in scoring at 107.8 points a game and have a glittering 20-2 home record (10-12 ATS).
Los Angeles has become known to play to the level of their competition this season, accounting for a lousy spread record, but will have no problem getting up for Superman and his bombardiers.
Dwight Howard was mostly a spectator as Orlando (31-8, 27-12 ATS) drained an NBA record 23 three-pointers in a win over Sacramento on the road Tuesday.
It's not magic that the Magic lead the NBA in three point shots made, averaging over 10 a game on sharp 40.1% accuracy.
This opens up the middle for Howard to wreak havoc and Orlando is on a 14-2 run, including five in a row.
The Magic are the best bet in the NBA and are a superb 15-5 straight-up and ATS on the road.
The Lakers suffered a cruel loss at San Antonio in the final seconds, but got the cover and are 6-2 ATS facing a team with a winning record.
The biggest task for Phil Jackson to do is encourage his team to play better defense, since they have allowed 109.6 points a game in their last six outings and are 2-11 ATS in home games after allowing 100 points or more points three straight games.
Orlando is 8-1 ATS as a road underdog this season and a perfect 10-0 ATS versus offensive teams scoring 99 or more points a game this year.
The total could be hard call with Andrew Bynum emerging as a force in recent games and the Lakers 8-0 OVER in home games after allowing 105 points or more.
The Magic are 15-6 UNDER after surrendering 100 points or more in their previous game.
The Lakers are 3-11 ATS with one day between contests.
Pick: Over 213.5 (-110)
Visit the NBA basketball betting forum for more picks and information or to post your own for Friday's NBA action. |