NBA Basketball Prediction: Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics
Monday, January 23, 2012
Frank Martin
In the very recent past, a battle between the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics could represent a preview of the Eastern Conference finals or at least the semifinals.
This season, the Celtics are three games below .500 and the Magic are holding their breath as their franchise player keeps a trade demand on the table. Right now, Orlando is tied for first in the Southeast Division. A trade of Dwight Howard dulls their outlook considerably. Boston got a turn-back-the-clock performance from Paul Pierce on Sunday but lost Ray Allen to a jammed ankle in the second quarter of a win over the lowly Washington Wizards.
“At the end of the day, your big players have to play well for you to win, especially games when you have guys out,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. Boston hopes to have both Allen and point guard Rajon Rondo back in the lineup when they host the Magic on Monday.
- Orlando Magic @ Boston Celtics
When: 7:30 PM ET, Monday, January 23, 2012
Where: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV, SunSports (Orlando), CS New England (Boston)
The Magic have opened as 4-point favorites on SBG Global Sportsbook’s Live NBA Basketball Odds.
Orlando Magic (11-4): Howard’s trade demands are having an effect on the entire league, with the Los Angeles Lakers and New Jersey Nets particularly caught in limbo. Despite the distraction, Orlando has won six of seven with Howard leading the way. The All-NBA center has pulled down 48 rebounds in the last two games and leads the NBA with an average of 16.1 boards. In the last three games, Howard has put up 23.3 points and 21.7 rebounds.
Boston Celtics (6-9): Pierce is finally rounding into form four weeks into the season. The All-Star forward missed the bulk of training camp and the first three games with a heel injury and has been slowly playing his way into shape. He recorded season highs in points (34) and assists (10) on Sunday. Boston had averaged 82.3 points in seven games prior to Sunday, dropping six. Boston has yet to beat a team with a winning record.
1. Boston took two of three in the series last season and beat the Magic in six games during the 2010 playoffs.
2. Pierce has averaged 22.2 points in 45 career games against Orlando.
3. Howard has averaged 16.4 points in 25 games against the Celtics - his second-lowest mark against any team.
NBA BASKETBALL PREDICTION: Magic 96, Celtics 90
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boston celtics - doc rivers - dwight howard - orlando magic - rajon rondo - ray allen - td garden