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No. 5 Atlanta Hawks (44-38) at No. 4 Orlando Magic (52-30)
Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 7:00 pm EST on ESPN
Spread: Orlando Magic -8.5
Money Line: Magic -450 / Hawks +350
Over/Under: 180
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The Atlanta Hawks, the fifth-seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs, travel to play fourth-seeded Orlando in the first game of a seven-game series.
Atlanta leads the season series, 3-1, with wins in the last three meetings.
The reason the Hawks have been able to win three straight over the Magic has been their ability to contain _ not stop _ Orlando center Dwight Howard, one of the most players in the NBA. Howard averaged 19.3 points and 14.3 rebounds against Atlanta, but his 43.1 percent shooting against the Hawks was his worst against any opponent this year as his team only averaged 79 points in four games. Atlanta star Joe Johnson, who fell apart against Orlando on an epic scale in last year’s playoffs, has averaged almost 20 points against the Magic this year and definitely has something to prove.
The Magic handed the Hawks the most lopsided four-game sweep in NBA playoff history last year, and don’t think either team has forgotten it. Howard, despite his struggles offensively against Atlanta (if you can call them that) is still the most dominant defensive player the league has seen in the last decade and should own Atlanta big man Al Horford in the post. Also, Orlando point guard Jameer Nelson has always been a clutch player and should dominate Kirk Hinrich like he did Mike Bibby in last year’s playoff. Nelson has owned Hinrich in two meetings this season.
The X-factor in this series is Atlanta swingman Josh Smith, if only because Orlando has nobody on its team that can match up with the 6-foot-10 playmaker. Smith’s line is crazy-sick: 17.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.3 blocks. The only way for him to have a shot is to up his game to legendary levels.
The Magic need to make sure Howard gets touches, because they’ve got shooters. Regardless of how he’s playing, he has to get touches to make Atlanta’s defense sag a little. Atlanta needs Johnson to forget how he peed the bed in last year’s playoffs and start anew.
The odds makers have the Orlando Magic as a -8.5 point favorite with an over/under of 180.
Check out the latest NBA Basketball Playoff Odds here.
Watch Howard own Horford and Nelson own Hinrich and you own this pick. Orlando by 6.
Need more help making your picks winners? Check out our top handicappers.
Orlando Magic vs Atlanta Hawks 2011 Playoff Schedule
Game 1: Sat. April 16: Atlanta @ Orlando – 7:00 pm EST on ESPN
Game 2: Tue. April 19: Atlanta @ Orlando – 7:30 pm EST on NBA TV
Game 3: Fri. April 22: Orlando @ Atlanta – 8:00 pm EST on ESPN2
Game 4: Sun. April 24: Orlando @ Atlanta – 7:00 pm EST on TNT
Game 5: Tue. April 26: Atlanta @ Orlando – TBD
*Game 6: Thu. April 28: Orlando @ Atlanta – TBD
*Game 7: Sat. April 30: Atlanta @ Orlando – TNT
* If necessary
Bet on the Hawks/Magic game: “Where the NBA Lines Originate” and get a generous 50% sign up bonus (up to $500) at Bookmaker.com.
Orlando Magic Betting Trends:
- The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Orlando’s last 16 games
- Orlando is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
- Orlando is 6-14 ATS in its last 20 games
- Orlando is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games at home
Atlanta Hawks Betting Trends:
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Atlanta’s last 5 games
- Atlanta is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
- Atlanta is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
- Atlanta is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games on the road
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