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NBA Playoff Odds: Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Game 1

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been the most dominant team in the 2009 NBA Playoffs, having won all eight of their games by double digits. The Orlando Magic rode the dominant interior play of 1st Team All-NBA center and NBA Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard to a series win over the defending NBA Finals champion Boston Celtics. Now the two Eastern Conference powers throw down in the Eastern Conference Finals beginning Wednesday night at 8:30 pm EST on TNT. NBA odds makers expect Cleveland to keep right on rolling this postseason, listing the Cavaliers as 9-point favorites with the total set at 184.5.

There’s no hiding from the fact that the Cleveland Cavaliers would have rather seen the Boston Celtics in the conference finals as Orlando is 7-3 straight up and 9-1 against the spread versus Cleveland in all games over the last three seasons. In fact, the Magic are 3-2 straight up and a perfect 5-0 against the spread in all games in Cleveland over the last three years. Orlando defeated the Cavs by double digits in both of its home games against them this season and lost by only four points in Cleveland to win the season series 2-1. Dating back to last season, the Magic have won four of the last five meetings with all four of those wins coming by double figures. In other words, we shouldn’t expect another cake walk for the Cavs. While Cleveland has only lost two games at home all season (the starters didn’t play in one of those), Orlando has been one of the best road teams in the NBA over the last two seasons and it was able to win two games on the road against the Celtics in its previous series. If you think Orlando can give the Cavs a scare in Game 1, bet the Magic at +9 at Bookmaker and receive a 20 percent cash sign up bonus.

The Magic have certainly had the upper hand against the Cavs in recent years, but Cleveland seems to have taken its game to new heights. With home court on the side of the Cavs, most everyone expects a spot to be reserved for them in the NBA Finals. Dating back to the regular season, Cleveland has won 13 of its last 14 games and is an unbeaten 11-0-1 against the spread in its last 12 contests. Cleveland is winning its home games by an amazing 14.8 points per game this season while holding the opposition to an average of just 87.3 points per game. Cleveland should also have an edge in terms of experience having played in the NBA Finals two seasons ago and losing in seven games to eventual champion Boston last year. It doesn’t hurt to have 2008-09 NBA MVP LeBron James on your side either. King James has been nothing short of amazing in these playoffs averaging 32.9 points per game. If you like Cleveland to send a message to the Magic in Game 1, bet the Cavs at -9 at Bookmaker.

Jimmy and his clients are 13-5 their last 18 NBA picks, including 8-2 their last 10 NBA top plays this postseason. Make sure you’re doing your NBA betting in the conference finals with Mr. Boyd!

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