Minnesota vs. Orlando Line: NBA Betting February 13, 2012
Carrie Stroup here with tonight’s Minnesota vs. Orlando line, which was coming in at Magic -5. You can find all NBA lines here.
Sportsbook.com Line & Total: Orlando -5 & 190.5
Opening Line & Total: Magic -5.5 & 190
Struggling Minnesota tries to end a three-game losing skid when it makes a quick trip to Orlando on Monday night.
Not only are the Timberwolves 8-3 ATS on the road this season (allowing just 42.3% FG), but are also 11-4 ATS as an underdog, beating Dallas (twice), San Antonio (twice), L.A. Clippers and Houston straight up. Orlando is just 6-9 ATS on its home floor, shooting a woeful 43.8% FG. The inconsistent Magic have scored 85 points or less nine times this season, and Wolves dynamic point guard Ricky Rubio will give Orlando fits on both ends of the court (8.7 APG, 2.5 SPG).
The Wolves’ offense has gone cold during the losing skid, shooting just 41% FG and 16-of-61 from three-point land (26%). They haven’t fared much better against the Magic in the past three seasons, going 0-6 (1-5 ATS) and averaging 93.2 PPG on 41% FG. PF Kevin Love (25.6 PPG, 13.9 RPG) has been one Minnesota player producing very well lately. In two games since coming back from his suspension for stomping on Luis Scola, Love has averaged 32.0 PPG, 16.5 RPG and is a perfect 24-of-24 from the foul line. Despite the presence of Dwight Howard down low for Orlando, Love played well against the Magic last year with 16.5 PPG and 12.0 RPG. Howard was only slightly better in the two games, with one more point and one more rebound than Love had. Rubio has had a great rookie season, but has struggled during the current three-game slide, with 8.7 PPG on 28% FG, 17 assists and 10 turnovers. He had two crucial miscues in the final 26 seconds of Minnesota’s 100-98 loss to New York on Saturday. But Rubio wasn’t the only one to blame, as the Wolves went 3-of-19 FG in the fourth quarter of that defeat.
Unlike the Wolves, the Magic are feeling confident after erasing a 10-point deficit in their 94-88 win at Milwaukee on Saturday. Jason Richardson keyed the comeback with 28 of his season-high 31 points coming after halftime. He hit four three-pointers in a stretch of less than two minutes and finished 9-of-11 from downtown. Richardson’s performance helped make up for Howard’s subpar game (11 points on 5-of-15 FG). Richardson also played well against Minnesota last year, scoring 50 points on 50% FG in the two games.
PHOENIX SUNS (12-15) at GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (10-14)
Sportsbook.com Line & Total: Golden State -3 & 203.5
Opening Line & Total: Warriors -3.5 & 202
A couple of surging teams look to inch closer to .500 when the Warriors host the Suns on Monday night.
Both clubs are playing their best basketball of the season, as Phoenix has won four of five, while Golden State is 4-2 in its past six home games, with both losses coming to West-leading Oklahoma City. However, the Suns were held to 89 points versus Houston on Thursday, then three days later, Golden State torched the Rockets for 106 points (13-of-24 three-pointers) in a nine-point win. In the past five games, the Warriors are scoring 111.2 PPG on 49% FG and 48% 3-pt FG, thanks in part to red-hot SG Monta Ellis with 29.2 PPG in these five contests. Ellis has also burned the Suns for 29.6 PPG in the past five home meetings.
The Suns have dominated this series recently, winning seven straight and 11 of the past 12 meetings. The most recent matchup was Jan. 2 when Phoenix won 102-91 at home behind 21 points from PG Steve Nash (14.6 PPG, NBA-best 10.3 APG). Nash had only four points in Saturday’s 98-84 win at Sacramento, but still tallied 15 assists despite missing the majority of the second quarter getting stitches in his lower lip. That was the team’s third straight road victory, as it has won those three contests by 8.3 PPG. Nash is also getting great play from his supporting cast. SF Jared Dudley (11.6 PPG) has been smoking hot in his past eight games, averaging 16.0 PPG on 17-of-31 threes (55%). PF Channing Frye has 17.8 PPG in his past four games, and has made 26-of-43 three-pointers (61%) in his career against Golden State. And C Martin Gortat, who leads the team in points (15.1 PPG) and rebounds (10.0 RPG), has 17.3 PPG on 61% FG in his past three contests.
In addition to Sunday’s big win over Houston, Golden State won its previous game as a six-point underdog in Denver, beating the Nuggets 109-101. In addition to Ellis’ heroics, rookie SG Klay Thompson (7.5 PPG) has been sizzling from downtown, making 7-of-10 three-pointers in his past two games. PG Stephen Curry (17.5 PPG, 6.7 APG, 2.0 SPG) lit up Denver for 36 points on 13-of-17 FG (6-of-9 threes), but struggled a bit against Houston with 14 points on 5-of-14 shooting. PF David Lee (18.2 PPG, 10.0 RPG) had 15 points and 13 rebounds in Sunday’s win and has compiled 18.7 PPG and 10.3 RPG at home this year. He is also averaging a double-double in 13 career games versus Phoenix, tallying 16.4 PPG and 10.2 RPG.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
