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The Orlando Magic come into tonight's game against the Los Angeles Lakers down 1-2 in the 2009 NBA Finals. If you're betting this game, the line was now -1 at betED.com on the Magic compared to -2 elsewhere. And it might be a good bet. 7-year old Gina Marie Incandela is singing the National Anthem.
Diagnosed with autism, Gina Marie did not start speaking until the age of 3. Four years later, she's singing like Whitney Houston.
For sports bettors and Magic fans alike, Gina Marie Incandela's singing of the National Anthem will have even greater significance Thursday night. The team is 7-0 so far this season when the young talent belts out the Anthem.
Her stirring rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" sends the more than 17,000 fans into a frenzy and gives the players the comfort of knowing they are at home.
"We know she doesn't have a direct impact on the game but she's the spark that gets the energy going," Magic guard JJ Redick said of Incandela, who suffers from a form of autism.
"I would be a little bit freaked out if I come Thursday night and some 40-year-old middle-aged guy came out there to sing the anthem."
Guard Jameer Nelson said Gina is the ultimate crowd pleaser.
"I'm not a guy who's big into believing in luck but I believe she's a good-luck charm to us," Nelson said.
Gina Marie's parents have advised her to get too upset once the streak ends, but the young lady has already told them she "will not accept a loss".
The Orlando Magic better not let her down Thursday night.
Most of the betting action is on the Lakers incidentally.
Tyrone Darnell Black, Gambling911.com
