Sports Betting Tips

The scene changes tonight as the NBA Finals continue when the Orlando Magic play host to the Los Angeles Lakers in another JustBet Sportsbook classic NBA Betting match-up at Amway Arena. The Lakers dodged a bullet in regulation to win 101-96 at Staples Center in Game 2 and held serve on their home floor. The Magic have been tabbed 4-point favorites for the first time in this series with the ‘total’ set at a lower 198 after another low scoring contest on Sunday.

Kobe Bryant 26.8 PPG, 5.2 RPG

Rashard Lewis 17.7 PPG, 5.7 RPG

The Lakers have been surprisingly physical with the Magic in the paint in the first two games of this series outscoring them by an astounding 84-52. LA got great performances from its supporting cast in Game 2 with G Derek Fisher scoring 12, F Pau Gasol 24, and F Lamar Odom had 19 off the bench. Lakers G Kobe Bryant scored 29 points adding four rebounds, and eight assists on Thursday night. Bryant torched the Magic for 40 points in Game 1 and has had his way for the most part so far in this series. The Lakers were not able to cover the ‘spread’ in Game 2 and nearly lost SU, but Orlando G Courtney Lee missed a layup at the end of regulation.

The Magic have to be disappointed after coming so close to tying this series, but the good news for them is coming back home where they have covered their L/4 contests. Orlando lives by the three-point shot, but it is shooting just 18-of-53 (34%) from behind the arc in this series. Magic F Rashard Lewis had a great outing in Game 2 going for 34 points connecting on six-of-12 from three. Lewis has been Orlando’s best shooting threat so far and will need to continue his solid play for the Magic to get back in this series. Orlando is 6-3 ATS on its home floor in the 2009 NBA Playoffs including a 3-0 ATS mark against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals.

The real Magic team showed up in Game 2 and finally started to look like the team that dominated the Cavs to become the champs of the east. NBA bettors can expect to see Magic C Dwight Howard become a bigger part of things tonight and lead his team to another home cover. Orlando is 0-6 SU all-time in NBA Finals play; they are my ‘favorite’ to break that streak in Game 3.

Selection: Magic -4

The NBA playoffs are finally here! Whether you plan on going with Kobe or shooting with “Sweet Lew”, JustBet Sportsbook has all of your NBA playoff betting needs covered. Sign up for an account and take advantage of all of the great promotions at before it’s too late!