Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics: NBA Free Pick

When you think about the Magic, you think about Dwight Howard and how great he really is. Now, it’s true that there might not be many men in this league that can bang on the inside like “Superman,” as he is averaging 22.3 PPG and 13.7 RPG. He also already has accounted for 105 blocks and 58 steals, which really makes him the complete package. Howard has had nine straight double-doubles, and in this stretch, he has averaged a whopping 24.0 PPG and 16.1 RPG. However, beyond Howard, Head Coach Stan Van Gundy really doesn’t have a heck of a lot of options. Brandon Bass is out of the lineup with an ankle sprain that is almost certain to keep him out until after the All-Star Break, and after trading away Marcin Gortat a bit over a month ago to the Phoenix Suns, the best second option as a starting power forward is gone. Ryan Anderson did score 19 points and haul in eight boards against the Washington Wizards on Friday night, but we know that this is a significantly different challenge, and if he doesn’t play well against Boston, Malik Allen probably isn’t making up the difference.

Head Coach Doc Rivers was visibly upset with his team’s performance on Friday night against the Dallas Mavericks, as is was the first time in over two weeks that his squad allowed 100+ points in a game. Boston had held eight straight foes to 96 points or fewer, keeping six of those eight teams to 90 points or fewer. When you look at the defensive numbers for this team for the season, NBA betting fans have no choice but to be amazed. Allowing 91.7 PPG is the top mark in the game, and teams are only shooting 43.9 percent from the field, No. 3 in the NBA. When you compare that to the other side of the court, where Boston is the team that is shooting 50.0 percent as a team, things are even more shocking.

The time is here for the Celtics to finally cover a game this season. They are 0-1-1 ATS on the campaign here in spite of the fact that they do have the win here in Beantown. It seems tricky to think that Bass is the key to this game, but he really is. We have to remember that Kendrick Perkins is back in the fold, which gives Rivers one more big man to throw at the bunch. The C’s get back in the win column on Sunday.