NBA Betting Odds February 15, 2012: 76ers vs. Magic, More…

Carrie Stroup here and I got all your NBA betting odds for February 15, 2012 including the 76ers vs. Magic, Grizzlies vs. Nets and Trailblazers vs. Warriors.  Get all the latest NBA lines here at Sportsbook.com and claim up to $250 in FREE CASH based on your initial deposit. 

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (20-9) at ORLANDO MAGIC (18-11)

Sportsbook.com Line & Total: Orlando -3 & 178.5

Opening Line & Total: Magic -3 & 178

After easy wins over two of the Eastern Conference’s weaker teams, Philadelphia’s mini-road trip gets much tougher when it visits Orlando Wednesday night.

The 76ers scored double-digit wins in Cleveland and Charlotte (though they didn’t cover the 12-point spread in the latter) to move to 7-4 SU and ATS on the road this year. But they haven’t exactly been tested often away from home, as they were the favorite in seven of those 11 games (and their lone SU win as a road underdog was against a Hawks team playing without All-Star C Al Horford). They’ve dropped their last two games against winning teams, SU and ATS, at home against San Antonio and the Clippers. And the Magic have been rolling in February, going 6-2 (5-3 ATS).

The 76ers will try to control tempo with their slow-down, defensive-minded style. They haven’t topped 100 points in their past 12 games, but have managed to hold opponents to 85.1 PPG during that span. They have far and away the lowest turnover rate in the NBA (10.33 per 100 possessions).

But they’ll have one less body to counter Dwight Howard with, as C Spencer Hawes (10.5 PPG, 8.3 RPG) is out with an Achilles injury. Rookies Nikola Vucevic (5.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG) and Lavoy Allen (4.9 PPG, 4.3 RPG) will play the majority of minutes in his place. The Sixers will rely heavily on their bench scoring to carry them, as SG Lou Williams (15.9 PPG) is averaging 18.8 PPG over his past four contests, and PF Thaddeus Young (12.8 PPG) has added 15.5 PPG on 62.5% shooting during that span.

The Magic are coming off back-to-back SU and ATS wins, at Milwaukee and at home over Minnesota. So far in February, their only two SU losses both came in overtime. The return of SG Jason Richardson (12.3 PPG) has had a lot to do with their strong recent play, as he’s averaging 18.1 PPG and hitting 52.0% of his threes over seven games since returning from a knee injury. He’s helped take the heat off of PF Ryan Anderson (16.3 PPG, 7.4 RPG), who’s averaging 16.5 PPG and hitting 43.1% of his threes this month. C Dwight Howard (20.2 PPG, 15.2 RPG) continues to dominate the paint, averaging 20.9 PPG, 14.9 RPG and 2.4 BPG this month, and he’s even hit 61.4% of his free throws to bring his season average up to 49.4%.

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (15-14) at NEW JERSEY NETS (8-21)

Sportsbook.com Line & Total: Memphis -3.5 & 187

Opening Line & Total: Grizzlies -3.5 & 188

One night after disposing of rival Houston at home, the Grizzlies make the long trip north to face New Jersey on Wednesday night.

But back-to-backs haven’t been much of an obstacle for the Grizzlies in recent years, as they’re 21-5-1 ATS on the back end over the past two seasons. New Jersey did sweep Memphis SU and ATS last season, but this year’s Nets team seems to stand little chance of beating any respectable opponent. They’ve dropped six in a row SU (1-4-1 ATS) and are 0-8 SU and 2-6 ATS as a home underdog on the season.

The Grizzlies beat Houston 93-83 at home on Tuesday night, with PG Mike Conley (12.9 PPG, 6.8 APG) leading the way with 21 points on 7-for-15 shooting, including 3-for-4 from three. Memphis shot 47.9% from the field on the night, their best shooting performance in seven games. On Wednesday, C Marc Gasol (15.1 PPG, 9.9 RPG) figures to present the biggest mismatch for New Jersey, as the Nets continue to rotate the ineffective duo of Johan Petro and Shelden Williams at center while starter Brook Lopez recovers from a foot injury.

The Nets are the NBA’s worst defensive team, surrendering the most points per 100 possessions (109.8). They regularly allow opponents to get to the rim and are allowing the NBA’s highest field goal percentage (49.3%) and three-point percentage (39.5%). During their current six-game losing streak, they’ve given up 104.3 PPG and 50.5% shooting from the field.

PG Deron Williams (20.9 PPG, 8.4 APG) continues to play well offensively during the losing streak, averaging 22.2 PPG and 8.2 APG. PG Jordan Farmar (11.1 PPG) and SG Anthony Morrow (13.7 PPG, 42.0% from three) have both been effective shooting the ball, with Farmar hitting 44.4% of his threes and Morrow 37.9% over the past six games. But they’re not going to be able to generate enough offense to make up for their defensive shortcomings.

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS (15-14) at GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (11-14)

Sportsbook.com Line & Total: Golden State -5 & 197.5

Opening Line & Total: Warriors -3 & 197.5

After a terrible home loss on Tuesday, the Trail Blazers will need to regroup quickly as they head south to Oakland to take on the red-hot Warriors one night later without star PF LaMarcus Aldridge.

Aldridge (22.6 PPG, 8.3 RPG) suffered a sprained left ankle in Portland’s embarrassing 15-point defeat to 15-point underdog Washington Tuesday. The Blazers allowed 124 points on 60% FG to the 7-22 Wizards, giving further evidence of a disappearing defense in the past five games (104.2 PPG on 50% FG). Meanwhile, Golden State is shooting lights-out in its past five contests (107.8 PPG on 49% FG). Not only have the Warriors won the past four games versus Portland by an average of 15.0 PPG, they are also a dominant 11-2-1 ATS (10-4 SU) in the past 14 meetings.

Portland’s offense will certainly miss its top scorer and rebounder, as the team averages just 91.1 PPG on 41.9% FG on the road this season, going 4-10 SU (5-9 ATS). With Aldridge out, Nicolas Batum (12.9 PPG) will need to continue his offensive surge, building on his career-high 33 points in the loss to the Wizards. Jamal Crawford is second on the team with 14.3 PPG, but he was held to a season-low three points (1-of-5 FG) on Tuesday. Gerald Wallace (13.8 PPG) poured in 25 points versus Washington, giving him 17.3 PPG on a blistering 63% FG in his past four games.

The Warriors are 12-1 in the past 13 home games versus Portland. Golden State has quite a few players that are sizzling on the offensive end. SG Monta Ellis had 18 points and seven rebounds in Monday’s 102-96 win over Phoenix. It was the team’s third straight win overall and fifth victory in the past seven home games. PF David Lee had a game-high 28 points plus 12 boards against the Suns, and he also scored 26 against Portland in their last meeting on Jan. 25, a 101-93 victory. PG Stephen Curry tweaked his ankle in the last game, but he is expected to start on Wednesday night. That’s bad news for the Blazers, considering Curry lit them up for 32 points on 12-of-19 FG (6-of-8 threes) with seven assists and six rebounds in last month’s meeting.

- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter