Orlando Magic vs. Philadelphia 76ers – Philly has a shot

Flagrant fouls were all the talk of the Eastern Conference, and Dwight Howard’s malicious elbow has been handed a one-game suspension. The Magic will have to rely on incredible perimeter shooting from Hedo and Rashard, and the Sixers’ fans will be thirsting for blood when the Magic and Sixers take the series back to Philadelphia.

This series has been full of surprises, but nothing has surprised me more than the sudden fanfare surrounding Andre Igoudala. Iggy is leading the Sixers with 18 points, five assists and just under six rebound a game but he’s hardly the clutch player that Philadelphia fans are anointing him as. Yes, he hit the game winner, but he was awful four five minutes before that.

#3 Orlando Magic vs. #6 Philadelphia 76ers

Thursday, April 30th — Wachovia Center, Philadelphia — 7:30pm EST

NBA Betting Line: Philadelphia -4 (185)

How good are the Magic without Howard? Howard missed three games this season, and the Magic went 2-1, notching victories over Utah and Golden State. They were both decisive wins. So are the Magic scared of the Sixers without Howard? Not exactly. They’re an extremely deep roster. But Howard is the center of their defense, and containing Philadelphia will be more difficult with Howard suspended.

This, of course, can have two effects. It can motivate the Sixers to play out of their mind and tie the series at threes. Or it can galvanize the Magic trying to prove that they can win without their fearless leader, and the Defensive Player of the Year.

NBA Betting Trends

-Orlando is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games

-Orlando is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games on the road

-Orlando is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road

-The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Orlando’s last 6 games on the road

-Philadelphia is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games

-Philadelphia is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games at home

-Philadelphia is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games at home

-Philadelphia is 3-11 SU in its last 14 games when playing Orlando

I’d like to think that the latter can happen, but Orlando hasn’t exactly been the conquering road team if you follow the trends. Philadelphia is always playing in a frenzy when their true sixth man – the crowd – is feverishly behind them. That’s why this game will go in the OVER. Expect Orlando to pull away early with some perimeter shooting, but without a dominant post presence, the Sixers will rally in the second half and cover the spread.

NBA Furious Free Pick: Philadelphia -4 (OVER)