Celtics vs. Magic Eastern Conference Finals Game 5 Free Pick
This Celtics vs. Magic Eastern Conference Finals Game 5 free pick is courtesy of Pregame.com.
The Orlando Magic host the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference Finals series. The Magic are hoping their Game 4 win will propel them into a few more wins. The Celtics are looking for one more win, so they can advance to the NBA Finals. Orlando is a 4 point favorite, with a total of 186 points expected tonight. ESPN will televise this game at 8:30 EDT.
Orlando played a heroic game 4, as they fought hard when nobody expected them too. Credit Coach Van Gundy and the experience and professionalism of this Magic team for extending this series another game. Many Orlando fans believe they are back in this series, despite being down 3-1 in their best of 7 series. The Magic host 2 of the final 3 games during the Eastern Conference Finals. Orlando won game 4 in Boston 96-92 in overtime, with C Dwight Howard leading the way. Howard had a team high 32 PTS and 16 rebounds in Game 4, making 13 of his 19 shots. Howard was unstoppable in the paint, as he also contributed 4 blocked shots on the defensive end. PG Jameer Nelson contributed 23 PTS and 9 assists in helping the Magic extend the series. G J.J. Redick and F Matt Barnes contributed 22 PTS combined in Game 4, including 5 three pointers combined. Orlando is 68-26 SU and 54-38-2 ATS overall this season. The Magic are 38-9 SU and 26-19 ATS in home games this season. Orlando is 2-2 this season as the listed home favorite between 3.5 and 6 PTS.
The Magic are 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 games as a home favorite. The Under is 10-2 in their last 12 against a team with a winning SU record.
Boston appeared a bit disinterested and tired at the conclusion of Game 4. After coming back from a 7 point deficit late in regulation, the Celtics struggled in the overtime period. As a result, Boston missed out on sweeping the Magic out of the playoffs. Now Boston has to play at least 1 more game before punching their ticket to the NBA Finals. Boston shot .42% from the field in Game 4, as they only had 3 players score in double figures. F Paul Pierce and G Ray Allen combined for 54 PTS, including 5 three pointers. The only other Celtics player to score in double figures was Kevin Garnett, who had 14 PTS and 12 rebounds. Boston needs to focus on ending this series tonight, as they don't even want to consider becoming the 1st team in NBA history to blow a 3-0 series lead. The Celtics have played well on the Magic floor, as they've beaten them 3 times alone this year there. The Celtics are 61-36 SU and 44-51-2 ATS overall this year. Boston is 31-17 SU and 26-21-1 ATS in road games this season. The Celtics are 7-6 ATS this year as a road underdog between 3.5 and 6 PTS.
The Celtics are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog. The Under is 10-2 in their last 12 against a team with a winning SU record.
Pregame.com projects the final score to be 98-87 in favor of the Orlando Magic. The Magic -4 is the Side of the Day!
Johnny Detroit, Gambling911.com
