NBA Playoffs Predictions for Wednesday April 21, 2010

These NBA Playoffs predictions are courtesy of Pregame.com.  Be sure to check out their website for more free picks and game analyses.

The Orlando Magic host the Charlotte Bobcats in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference playoff series. The Magic took advantage of a big 1st half, and was able to hold onto the win overall. The Magic are 9 point favorites, with a total of 186 points expected tonight. TNT will televise the game at 7:00 EDT.

Orlando began defense of their Eastern Conference Championship with a solid Game 1 win against the Bobcats. PG Jameer Nelson had 32 PTS, and was one of 5 Magic players in double figures. The Magic made 13 three pointers in Game 1, enabling the Magic to be up 16 PTS at the half. Orlando has held the Bobcats under 90 PTS in 3 of their 5 meetings this season. The 89 PTS the Magic allowed was a strong positive sign for Orlando, as their defense had struggled down the stretch of the regular season. Orlando is 60-23 SU and 46-35-2 ATS overall this season. The Magic are an impressive 35-7 SU and 23-17-2 ATS in home games this season. Orlando was an impressive 22-12 ATS during the 2nd half of the regular season. The Magic are 40-30 ATS as the listed favorite this season, including 3-4 ATS as a favorite between 6.5 and 9 PTS. C Dwight Howard had 9 blocks in Game 1, a fitting stat considering he was just named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year. 

The Magic are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 playoff games as the listed favorite. The Under is 9-3-1 in the Magic's last 13 playoff games as the listed favorite.

Charlotte had a very rude awakening against the Magic in Game 1 of their best of 7 series. Charlotte was down 16 at the half, before coming back to only lose by 9 PTS and earn the ATS victory. The Bobcats will look to the 2nd half, where they outscored the Magic by 7 PTS to build their confidence. The Bobcats were led by the trio of F Stephen Jackson, G Raymond Felton, and F Gerald Wallace. This trio had 62 of the Bobcats 89 total PTS, as no other Bobcat player had more than 6 PTS. Charlotte is 44-39 SU and 45-37-1 ATS overall this season. The Bobcats have been atrocious on the road this season, going 13-29 SU away from home. Charlotte is 22-19-1 ATS on the road this season, a much better record than their SU record away from home. The Bobcats are 24-18 ATS as the listed underdog this season, including 4-3 ATS as a road underdog between 6.5 and 9 PTS. Charlotte plays their best baskeball against teams in their own division, as they are an impressive 12-4

ATS in this specific scenario. The Bobcats are 27-18 ATS this season against teams that average more than 99 PPG this.

The Bobcats are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games against a team with a winning percentage above .600%. The Under is 7-0-1 i in the Bobcat's last 8 games as the listed road underdog. Center Alexis Ajinca has been ruled out due to a hand injury. Forward Stephen Jackson is banged up, but is listed as Probable tonight with a balky knee.

Pregame.com projects the final score to be 93-82 in favor of the Orlando Magic. The Under 186 is the Total of the Day!

The Dallas Mavericks host the San Antonio Spurs in a very crucial Game 2 of their Western Conference playoff series. Game 1 was a very close game, and tonight should prove to be similar. The Mavericks are 3.5 favorites, with a total of 194.5 points expected tonight. TNT will broadcast this playoff game at 9:30 EDT.

Dallas was very consistent and methodical in their Game 1 win over their bitter in state rival. Many experts consider the Mavericks a solid sleeper candidate to make it out of the West and into the NBA Finals. Forwards Dirk Nowitzki and Caron Butler proved to be a great 1-2 punch in the playoffs. Nowitzki had 36 PTS in Game 1, with his efficient shooting the talk of the game. Nowitzki was 12-14 from the field, and a perfect 12-12 from the charity stripe. Butler had 22 PTS, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals in his first playoff game with Dallas. Including their final 5 games of the regular season, the Mavericks are now 6-0 both SU and ATS in their past 6 games. Dallas continues to win with defense, as they've held 5 of their past 6 opponents under 100 PTS. The Mavericks are 56-27 SU and 38-44-1 ATS overall this season. Dallas is 29-13 SU and 11-29-2 ATS in home contests this season. The Mavericks are only 25-34 ATS as the listed favorite, including 3-9 ATS as a home favorite between 3.5 and 6 PTS. Dallas is 7-3 ATS this season after having 2 days off.

The Mavericks are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games as the listed favorite. The Under is 8-2 in the Mavericks last 10 games after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Forward Tim Thomas is the only player on the active roster that won't be playing tonight.

San Antonio is going to need to figure out the Mavericks in a hurry, otherwise their season is going to be over very soon. San Antonio is only 1-4 both SU and ATS against Dallas this year, with their lone win coming in their first matchup in November. The Spurs have to be especially frustrated after their Game 1 loss, because they shot .50% from the field. Their ultimate undoing was the amount of fouls them committed, as Dallas attempted 20 more free throws than they did. Guards Manu Ginobli, Tony Parker and F Tim Duncan combined for 71 of the Spurs 94 total PTS. The Spurs are 50-33 SU and 44-38-1 ATS overall this season. The Spurs are a dead even 21-21 SU and 19-22-1 ATS on the road this season. San Antonio also happens to be an even 10-10 ATS as the listed underdog this season, including 6-4 ATS as the listed road underdog between 3.5 and 6 PTS. The Spurs were ultimately successful this season because of their bench play. San Antonio had so many injuries this season that several role players received extended playing time. Unfortunately, the Spurs bench only totaled 9 PTS outside of Tony Parker in Game 1.

The Spurs are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 playoff games as the listed underdog. The Under is 7-1-1 in the Spurs last 9 games as the listed road underdog up to 4.5 points. Guards George Hill and Malik Hairston are both listed as Questionable tonight with injured ankles.

Pregame.com projects the final score to be 98-96 in favor of the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs +3.5 are the Side of the Day!

Johnny Detroit, Gambling911.com