PREMIUM
Rogers' Saturday OVER EASY >> **5-0 SWEEP FRIDAY**
(NBA) Orlando vs. Dallas,
Total: 203.00 | -110.00 Under
Result: Loss
Total: 203.00 | -110.00 Under
Result: Loss
The set-up: The 20-35 Orlando Magic will take on the 21-32 Dallas Mavericks tonight at American Airlines Center. It's a matchup of teams heading in opposite directions, as the Magic are losing ground quickly in the Eastern Conference (are currently 5 1/2 games out on the last playoff spot) while after a slow start, the Mavs are inching tehir way up with an outside shot at the 8th and final Western Conference playoff berth (currently three games back).
Orlando: The Magic are not only 5 1/2 games back of the 8th-seeded Pistons but there are four teams between them and Detroit. Orlando can't seem to put a full game together, as evidenced by them squandering a double-digit lead in the first half at home against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, before losing 112-111.The Magic lost at Atlanta and at Houston by a combined 51 points, then coughed up 21 turnovers in the one-point home to the 76ers. First-year head coach Frank Vogel (formerly of the Pacers), seems unsure of what to do with this team. Elfrid Payton started the season as the team's PG, then Vogel turned to D.J. Augustine and now he's moved C.J. Watson into the team's starting PG spot. Vogel told his team Friday that he is sticking with Watson for Saturday's game against the Mavs.
Dallas: While the Magic are floundering, the Mavs have won 10 of their last 15, after a 112-105 Thursday overtime victory against the Utah Jazz. Starting PG Williams (13.5 & 7.1 APG) has missed eight straight with a toe injury (no timetable on his return) but Yogi Ferrell, at first signed to a 10-day contract and just recently signed to a two-year deal, has stepped in to average 15.3 PPG and 4.6 APG in seven games. Also, SG Seth Curry (11.7) has scored in double figures in 13 of the last 15 games. Barnes (20.4 & 5.3) has been steady all season at SF plus Nowitzki (13.3 & 5.9) has stayed healthy lately, after numerous nagging injuries.
The pick: I like the way the Mavs are playing and although the team's overall offensive numbers remain low, Dallas has averaged 106.0 PPG its last seven. Going up the Magic is great news, as Orlando has fallen apart defensively. The Magic have allowed more than 100 points in 20 of their last 23 games, including an average of 117.7 PPG in their last three. This low over/under number begs to be bet over. Make the Over an 8* play.
Orlando: The Magic are not only 5 1/2 games back of the 8th-seeded Pistons but there are four teams between them and Detroit. Orlando can't seem to put a full game together, as evidenced by them squandering a double-digit lead in the first half at home against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday, before losing 112-111.The Magic lost at Atlanta and at Houston by a combined 51 points, then coughed up 21 turnovers in the one-point home to the 76ers. First-year head coach Frank Vogel (formerly of the Pacers), seems unsure of what to do with this team. Elfrid Payton started the season as the team's PG, then Vogel turned to D.J. Augustine and now he's moved C.J. Watson into the team's starting PG spot. Vogel told his team Friday that he is sticking with Watson for Saturday's game against the Mavs.
Dallas: While the Magic are floundering, the Mavs have won 10 of their last 15, after a 112-105 Thursday overtime victory against the Utah Jazz. Starting PG Williams (13.5 & 7.1 APG) has missed eight straight with a toe injury (no timetable on his return) but Yogi Ferrell, at first signed to a 10-day contract and just recently signed to a two-year deal, has stepped in to average 15.3 PPG and 4.6 APG in seven games. Also, SG Seth Curry (11.7) has scored in double figures in 13 of the last 15 games. Barnes (20.4 & 5.3) has been steady all season at SF plus Nowitzki (13.3 & 5.9) has stayed healthy lately, after numerous nagging injuries.
The pick: I like the way the Mavs are playing and although the team's overall offensive numbers remain low, Dallas has averaged 106.0 PPG its last seven. Going up the Magic is great news, as Orlando has fallen apart defensively. The Magic have allowed more than 100 points in 20 of their last 23 games, including an average of 117.7 PPG in their last three. This low over/under number begs to be bet over. Make the Over an 8* play.
