Free NBA Picks and Odds: Oklahoma City Thunder at Orlando Magic on ESPN Expert Predictions – NBA Betting Preview 2/25/11: NBA leading scorer Kevin Durant will lead the Oklahoma City Thunder on the road to the Amway Center to take on center Dwight Howard and his Orlando Magic on Friday night at 8:00 PM ET ON ESPN. Lots of similarities here as the Thunder enter the game coming off a loss and at 36-20 they are in 1st in the Northwest but have only won 6 of their last ten. The Magic are coming off a loss and have won 5 of their last 10 and come in at 36-22 2nd in the Southeast behind Miami. Oklahoma City has lost their last 6 at Orlando dating back to 2004.
Howard is playing well but upset that the team is not being more successful. “We’ve been talking for a long time – all we seem to do is talk,” Howard said. “We have a lot of talent, but talent won’t win you championships. You get to the finals, both teams are very talented. That’s how they got to the finals. But hard work, commitment-every play, every night is what gets you the championship. We’re one of the most talented teams in the NBA. We’re a deep team, we have guys that can do a lot of different things, but if you don’t bring it, it’s a waste of talent.” The odds makers at BetUs Sportsbook against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Magic are coming off a loss 111-105 at home to the Sacramento Kings to move to 25-31-2 ATS for the season. Howard continued his inside dominance with 31 points and 17 rebounds while Hedo Turkaglu added 19 points pulled down 4 rebounds and dished 8 assists. Vegas odds makers have the Orlando Magic +1200 to win the 2010-2011 NBA Championship.
The Thunder are coming off a 109-105 loss on the road to the San Antonio Spurs in which Durant led all scorers with 30 points as well as pulling down 9 rebounds and dishing 3 assists leaving the Thunder at 29-27 ATS for the season. Oklahoma City traded forward Jeff Green, center Nenad Kristic, a 2012 first-round pick(acquired from the LA Clippers) and cash to the Celtics for Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson just prior to the trade deadline. “We had a unique opportunity to add a proven presence in our front court in acquiring Kendrick,” general manager Sam Presti said. “He will help anchor our defense while Nate will add depth and athleticism to our backcourt.” Perkins is injured and only played in 12 games this season which makes this a head scratcher for me. Vegas odds makers have the over/under for the total score at 205 points combined of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Orlando Magic.
MATCHUP: Oklahoma City (36-20) at Orlando (36-22)
GAME TIME: 8:05 PM EST
TELEVISION: ESPN
Recent Thunder and Magic NBA Betting Odds Trends:
Oklahoma City: Under is 10-3 in OKC last 13 games as an underdog.
OKC are 20-8 ATS in their last 28 Fri. games.
Orlando: Under is 7-1 in ORL last 8 overall.
Under is 19-7-1 in ORL last 27 Fri. games.
ORL are 6-13 ATS in their last 19 Fri. games.
Head to Head: Under is 10-4 in the last 14 meetings.
Current Vegas Lines from Las Vegas
Favorite: Orlando -7
Total: O/U 206
NOTE: These are the Morning Lines at Ceasars Palace in Las Vegas
Rich Fritz’s Oklahoma City Thunder at Orlando Magic NBA Expert Picks:
Play Oklahoma City +7
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