PREMIUM
Rogers' *10* TOP TOTALS TICKET >> 5-1 NBA Totals Run!
(NBA) Orlando vs. Atlanta,
Total: 207.50 | -102.00 Under
Result: Push
Total: 207.50 | -102.00 Under
Result: Push
The set-up: The 20-32 Orlando Magic beat the Raptors 102-94 last night at home but it was just the team's fifth in its previous 19 games Conversely, the 29-21 Atlanta Hawks rallied from a 20-point fourth quarter deficit on Thursday at Houston, to win 113-108. It was Atlanta's 14th win in its last 19 games.
Orlando: The Magic can say that they are just four games out of the East's 8th playoff spot (that's true) but there are four teams between them and that final playoff spot. Serge Ibaka, who was acquired from OKC in a trade for Victor Oladipo, recorded his eighth double-double of the season. He's averaging 15.1 & 7.0 but has himself been the subject of recent trade rumors. Swingman Even Fournier is the team's leading scorer (16.7 PPG) and had 20 points and 10 rebounds in the win over Toronto, after scoring a modest 21 points with just two rebounds in two previous games since returning from a right foot injury. Center Vucevic (14.1 & 9.7) has developed into a solid player but the Magic are just 28th (out of 30 teams) in scoring (99.9 PPG), while ranking a middle-of-the-pack 16th in points allowed (105.3).
Atlanta: Tim Hardaway Jr. (12.4 PPG) has flourished for the Hawks averaging 14.6 PPG in 14 games since Kyle Korver was dealt to Cleveland. He scored a career-high 33 points in Thursday's win at Houston, with center Dwight Howard rising to the occasion against his former team with 24 points and 23 rebounds. Howard ranks in the top five in the NBA in rebounds per game (13.0) and FG percentage (64.1 percent). Paul Millsap leads five Atlanta players averaging double figures at 17.8, along with 8.1 RPG. Schroeder has stepped right in at PG (Teague was traded to Indiana), averaging 17.2 PPG and 6.3 APG.
The pick: The Hawks are the better team and are in a nice groove, while the Magic seem to be going nowhere, fast. However, the Hawks have hardly been dominant at home (just 14-10 at Philips Arena), where they allow (105.8 PPG) almost as many points as they score (106.2). Orlando has allowed 108.0 PPG on the road and that makes the Over a 10* play.
Orlando: The Magic can say that they are just four games out of the East's 8th playoff spot (that's true) but there are four teams between them and that final playoff spot. Serge Ibaka, who was acquired from OKC in a trade for Victor Oladipo, recorded his eighth double-double of the season. He's averaging 15.1 & 7.0 but has himself been the subject of recent trade rumors. Swingman Even Fournier is the team's leading scorer (16.7 PPG) and had 20 points and 10 rebounds in the win over Toronto, after scoring a modest 21 points with just two rebounds in two previous games since returning from a right foot injury. Center Vucevic (14.1 & 9.7) has developed into a solid player but the Magic are just 28th (out of 30 teams) in scoring (99.9 PPG), while ranking a middle-of-the-pack 16th in points allowed (105.3).
Atlanta: Tim Hardaway Jr. (12.4 PPG) has flourished for the Hawks averaging 14.6 PPG in 14 games since Kyle Korver was dealt to Cleveland. He scored a career-high 33 points in Thursday's win at Houston, with center Dwight Howard rising to the occasion against his former team with 24 points and 23 rebounds. Howard ranks in the top five in the NBA in rebounds per game (13.0) and FG percentage (64.1 percent). Paul Millsap leads five Atlanta players averaging double figures at 17.8, along with 8.1 RPG. Schroeder has stepped right in at PG (Teague was traded to Indiana), averaging 17.2 PPG and 6.3 APG.
The pick: The Hawks are the better team and are in a nice groove, while the Magic seem to be going nowhere, fast. However, the Hawks have hardly been dominant at home (just 14-10 at Philips Arena), where they allow (105.8 PPG) almost as many points as they score (106.2). Orlando has allowed 108.0 PPG on the road and that makes the Over a 10* play.
