Magic vs. Celtics Free NBA Playoffs Game 3 Pick
This Magic vs. Celtics free NBA Playoffs Game 3 pick is courtesy of Pregame.com.
The Boston Celtics host the Orlando Magic in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference Playoff series. The Celtics hold a commanding 2-0 series lead, and will look to push the Magic to the brink with a victory tonight. The Celtics are 3.5 favorites, with a total of 190 points expected tonight. ESPN will televise this playoff battle at 8:30 EDT.
Boston has clearly hit their stride in this post-season, as they are appear to be on a mission to make it back to the NBA Finals. Boston entered this series with revenge on their minds, as they lost last year in the conference finals to this Magic team. Boston is up 2-0, after winning both games in Orlando. Depending on who you talk to, the Celtics believe they can sweep the Magic. The only negative thing coming out of the Boston camp is the words of F Paul Pierce. After Game 2, Pierce put out to the media his confident thoughts about ending the season of the Magic. Pierce has been dynamic during this series with Orlando, averaging 25 PPG. Pierce credits his offensive production to the fact that he doesn't have to defend LeBron James. 4 different Boston players average more than 16 PPG during the playoffs this year. PG Rajon Rondo continues to be dynamic, as he is averaging a team high 17.8 PPG and 10 APG during the playoffs. Boston is 60-35 SU and
43-50-2 ATS overall this year. The Celtics are 29-18 SU and 17-29-1 ATS in home contests this season. Boston is only 3-6 ATS as a home favorite between 3.5 and 6 PTS this year.
The Celtics are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 home games against a a team with a winning road record. The Under is 13-3 in their last 16 games against a team with a winning SU record.
Orlando is facing desperation, as they are down 0-2 to the Boston Celtics, with the next few games being played in Boston. Orlando has been so steady this season, rarely losing multiple games in a row. The Magic do have a few things working in their favor. They've lost both games by a total of 7 PTS, so it's not as if the final result was necessarily embarrassing. Also, the Magic can find solace in the fact that the road team is 6-0 between these teams this season. The Magic won both games SU in Boston this year, both times coming as the listed underdog. Orlando needs to improve their offensive efficiency, as they are only shooting 40% from the field in this series thus far. Orlando can also find home in the fact they've won the rebounding battle in both games so far this series. F Rashard Lewis needs to step his game up, after scoring a combined 11 PTS in this series with Boston. C Dwight Howard scored a playoff high 30 PTS in Game 2, so the Magic are
expected to feed the ball even more to him while on the road. Orlando is 67-25 SU and 53-37-2 ATS overall this year. The Magic are 29-16 SU and 25-17-3 ATS in road games this year. The Magic are 10-5 ATS after a SU loss as the listed favorite.
The Magic are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 road games against a team with a winning home record. The Under is 13-3 in their last 16 games against a team with a winning SU record. Forward Matt Barnes is listed as Probable tonight with a back injury.
Pregame.com projects the final score to be 101-96 in favor of the Orlando Magic. The Over 190 is the Total of the Day!
Johnny Detroit, Gambling911.com
