NBA Playoff Odds: Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Game 5

Written by -

magic-cavs-gm-5-52709The Orlando Magic have shocked the basketball world by putting the team with the best record in the NBA in a 1-3 hole that history says is nearly impossible to get out of. Teams with a 3-1 lead are a staggering 182-8 in a series dating back to 1947. The Orlando Magic are just one win away from reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 1995, but NBA odds makers don’t think they will get the job done in Game 5, listed the Cleveland Cavaliers as 7.5-point favorites with the total set at 190.

It’s do-or-die time for LeBron James and company as the Cavs have been on the short end of the stick on three down-to-the-wire contests in this series. Cleveland has an excellent opportunity to stay alive Thursday night as it returns home where it is 44-3 this season. But Game 5 figures to be no cake walk for the Cavs as they have not defeated Orlando by more than 4 points this season. In fact, Orlando is a perfect 7-0 against the spread at Cleveland over the last three seasons. That stat alone is sure to gain the public’s support of the Magic. The Cavs figure to be a dangerous team in Game 5 however, as they will be playing with nothing to lose. They know what history says about their chances, but I don’t expect the No. 1 overall seed in the playoffs to go down without a fight. The Cavs played well enough to win in Game 4, but they were not able to withstand Orlando’s 17 three point makes. The Cavs must do a better job of defending the three point stripe in Game 5 and they cannot afford another eight turnover game from LeBron. If you think Cleveland will live to see another day and cover the spread in the process, bet the Cavs at -7.5 at Sportsbook.com.

Orlando now has three games to put the Cavaliers away, but they would like to end it in convincing fashion Thursday night, as a win by Cleveland could give it enough momentum to make things more interesting than Orlando would like. While three-point shooting played a major role in the Game 4 win, this series has basically come down to the Cavs having no answer for Dwight Howard, who finished with 27 points and 14 rebounds last game. Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Anderson Varejao have been no match for the powerful Howard. The Magic have also taken advantage of the Cleveland defense with one of the simplest plays in basketball – the pick ‘n roll. Using Hedo Turkoglu as the facilitator at 6’10”, the 6’3” Delonte West has been no match, and the Cavs can’t afford to switch Verjao or Ilgauskas on Turkoglu or it would be an even bigger mismatch. Rafer Alston only averages 11.7 points per game on the season, but he came out with his guns blazing in the third quarter to erase an eight point deficit and finished with 26 points. It will be very difficult for Cleveland to come away with a win if Orlando’s fourth option gets 20-plus. If you like Orlando to end the series Thursday night, bet the Magic at +7.5 at Sportsbook.com.

Cash in with your NBA betting through the Finals with Jimmy Boyd’s red hot NBA picks!

About the Author: Jimmy Boyd is known for his consistency. He's a proven winner in college and pro football, college and pro basketball and pro baseball. He finished as the No. 1 ranked MLB handicapper in 2007 by earning $1,000/game bettors $50,050. He also finished as the No. 1 ranked basketball handicapper in the 2008-09 season, profiting $1,000/game bettors 38,530. His basketball plays have banked $1,000/game bettors nearly $80,000 the last five years. Check out Jimmy's premium picks for tonight!
Connect with the author via: Twitter - Google+
WordPress › Error

There has been a critical error on this website.

Learn more about troubleshooting WordPress.