Orlando Magic end NBA betting slump ahead of Clippers clash
Published:
Daniel Coyle, American Sports Correspondent | February 5, 2016
LA Clippers (-4.5) @ ORL Magic
The Orlando Magic have picked up just two straight up wins in 16 outings since the calendar turned to 2016, but have caught fire at the bookmakers over the last week, and will be gunning for a fourth straight ATS win when they host the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday as 4.5-point underdogs in NBA betting at Coral.
A previously underwhelming Magic side have been in freefall since a strong start that saw them take a 19-13 record into the New Year. That success was mirrored by a solid 22-10 ATS record over that stretch.
The club quickly fell out of play-off contention on their current stretch, which has included 10 road games, and eight matches on back-to-back nights. However, Orlando have entered February on a promising note, posting a 119-14 upset win over Boston before covering as big double-digit underdogs in visits to Oklahoma City and San Antonio.
Though, the Clippers arrive in Central Florida for the first game of a four-game Eastern road trip after suffering a stunning 108-102 loss to Minnesota as 10.5-point chalk, ending a four-game SU win streak, and have been a shaky bet, going 6-6 ATS, and are 2-3 SU in the first game of multi-date road trips this season.
However, Los Angeles have enjoyed recent success against the Magic, winning four straight, but are just 4-3 ATS in their last seven meetings.
Milwaukee Bucks @ Utah Jazz (-7.5)
The Utah Jazz will try to extend the four-game SU win streak that has moved them into sole possession of the eighth and final play-off spot in the NBA’s Western Conference standings when they host the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night as 7.5-point favourites in American basketball betting at Coral.
Utah remains below .500 with a 23-25 SU record, but are a respectable 25-22-1 ATS, 15-10-1 ATS record at home, including an impressive 8-3 ATS in their last 11 at EnergySolutions Arena.
The Bucks wrap up a three-game junket with their visit to Utah.
Milwaukee have struggled both on the court and at the bookies, SU losers in their past four overall, and their past five road contests, covering just once in their past seven.
Milwaukee have been simply terrible on the road this season, posting a 7-23 SU record, including a 2-12 SU mark against Western Conference opponents, and are winless in their past 13 visits to Utah, with their last victory there coming way back in October 2001.
Boston Celtics @ Cleveland Cavaliers (-7.5)
The Cleveland Cavaliers will try to halt Boston’s climb up the NBA’s Eastern Conference standings, when they host the surging Celtics on Friday as 7.5-point favourites in NBA betting at Coral.
In-form Celtics have won 10 of their past 13 to climb into a tie for third place in the East, sitting alongside the Atlanta Hawks, 5.5 games back of the Toronto Raptors, and seven back of the first place Cavaliers.
Boston have been hit and miss on the road however, going 4-3 SU, 3-3-1 ATS, on the road during their current hot streak, and just 4-6 SU in their past 10 away from TD Garden.
The Cavaliers take on Boston looking to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time since Boxing Day after dropping a 106-97 decision in Charlotte on Wednesday night that wrapped up a brief two-game road trip.
However, Cleveland are an impressive 6-1 SU in seven home games that have followed a multi-game road trip, with their sole loss coming against the Golden State Warriors last month.
The Cavs earned an 89-77 win in Boston earlier this season, their fifth straight against the Celtics, and have claimed victory in three of their past four against their latest opponents on their home floor at Quicken Loans Arena.
In other NBA betting action at Coral on Friday, the Hawks host the Indiana Pacers as 4.5-point chalk, and the Washington Wizards are 9.5-point home favourites against the Philadelphia 76ers, while the New York Knicks welcome the Memphis Grizzlies to town as 4.5-point underdogs, and San Antonio Spurs visit the Dallas Mavericks as 6.5-point favourites.
