If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
2500* - Orlando Magic
I feel sure Stan Van Gundy has been hearing voices about his loyalty to Jameer Nelson since Thursday night's loss. I also feel sure Dwight Howard has been continuing to hear voices about how he needs to make crucial free-throws.
All that being said, I don't just like the Magic this Sunday night, I LOVE the Magic to send this series back to Los Angeles with the win, and cover!
Orlando was riding a 5-game postseason home court winning streak prior to Thursday night's setback, and I just feel their home court advantage is too strong to be overlooked in this elimination game on Sunday night.
The Lakers are obviously in the driver's seat with a commanding 3-1 series lead, in a series that has been a lot closer than the current tally indicates. 2 tough overtime losses have put the Magic in this 3-1 hole, but I really don't see them losing 2 of 3 at home to this Lakers team, and have the season end on their home floor tonight.
Believe me, there is too much at stake for this series to end tonight. A more appropriate end to this series will come either this Tuesday, or Thursday night on the Lakers home court where Kobe can celebrate in style with his posse.
The Magic are NOT DEAD YET!
Lay the points with Orlando to send this series back to the City of Angels where the NBA can get at least one more night of viewership.
Lakers at Magic
LAKERS - Just like in Game 4 of the NBA Finals the Lakers come into tonight’s game catching points - about 3, depending on where you’re playing this.
And, just as I advised in Game 4, tonight, in Game 5, take the points as the Lakers once again flirt with an outright victory. With that Game 4 win the Lakers have now gone 5-1 ATS their last 6 playoff games and are 3-1 ATS so far in the Finals.
Going back a little further, Los Angeles is now 7-4 ATS its last 11 games, but is 8-3 SU in that stretch.
Keep in mind, too, the Lakers are 4-1 ATS in the postseason when catching points and are 11-3 ATS overall this season when installed as an underdog.
The Magic, on the other hand, are 4-5 SU their last 9 games and have lost 4 of their last 6 games SU, going only 2-4 ATS in that stretch.
Consider also that Orlando is only 5-7 ATS when installed as a favorite this postseason and is only 6-10 ATS its last 16 when laying points.
Los Angeles will keep this one close and flirt with the outright win tonight. I’m not suggesting taking the Lakers on the Money Line, but do take the points and take Los Angeles on the side.
Lakers-Magic Total
UNDER - Game 3 of the NBA Finals was an aberration. With the Total set at 198 points the Lakers and Magic blew well past that, scoring 212 points.
In each of the other 3 games in these Finals the Under has come in easily. Games 1,2 and 4 have seen the Under has been the smart play. Hell, in Games 2 and 4 these two went to overtime and the Under still came through.
Tonight, that trend will continue as the Under comes through with the Total set at about 198.5 points, depending on where you’re playing this.
Over their last 20 playoff games the Lakers have seen the Under go 15-5 and going back to last season have seen it go 23-10 their last 33 and 28-14 their last 42.
For the Magic, including the playoffs, the team has seen the Under go 26-14 its last 40 games overall. Over Orlando’s last 21 home games, the team has seen the Under go 14-7.
Tonight, the Lakers and Magic will keep scoring at a premium as the Under comes through once again. Take the Under in this one tonight.
Bob Valentino Sunday's 40 Dime NBA Finals winner ...
40 DIME -- ORLANDO MAGIC minus the points vs. Lakers in Game 5
NOTE: As always, be sure to shop around and get the best of the number! Never lay more on a favorite than you have to or take back less than you can on an underdog!
Take the Magic minus the points as they force a game six.
If not for a missed layup and a pair of misses at the free throw line the Magic would be looking good up 3-1 in the series as that is how close the past four games have been. Well time to look for another good one today or at least a big game from the Magic who facing elimination won’t be giving up tonight at home where have gone 40-12 on the year.
Meanwhile, for the Lakers their one major question mark has been their desire and motivation in key games this playoffs. Well given their 3-1 series lead the Lakers lack of motivation will show big time today as they will look to seal the deal back home in game six.
Sorry, but this series is far from over as I expect for Orlando to keep this series alive with an easy home win.
Go with the Magic tonight in game five.
100? Cincinnati Reds
Take the Reds as they avoid the sweep.
Just their first series win since early May don’t expect any much from the Royals here today. You see for Kansas City prior winning their past two games the Royals had lost 11 of their last 13 games. Now to help the Royals return to their losing ways will be Bannister who has just one win in his last six starts while sporting an ERA of 10 plus over his last three starts. Countering for the Reds will be Cueto with his 6-3 season record and 2.33 ERA. So as the old saying goes good pitching wins baseball games and the Reds clearly have the advantage on the mound today.
NSA's Selection
NBA LA Lakers @ Orlando 8:05 PM EST 20* UNDER 198.5
MLB Boston @ Philadelphia 1:35 PM EST 20* Boston -125
NBA LA Lakers @ Orlando 8:05 PM EST 10* Lakers +3.5
MLB Dodgers @ Texas 3:05 PM EST 10* Texas +125
MLB Oakland @ San Francisco 4:05 PM 10* UNDER 7.5
MLB Mets @ Yankees 1:05 PM 10* Yankees -120
TONIGHT I THINK THE LAKERS WILL WIN THE GAME BUT 100% THEY WILL COVER THE 3. THE UNDERDOG IS NOW AN UNBELIVEABLE 8-1 ATS IN THIS SERIES. THE ROAD TEAM IS 7-2 ATS IN THIS SERIES. AND I HAVE A SYSTEM THAT IS 11-1 FOR THE 2009 NBA PLAYOFFS. THE PUBLIC IS HEAVILY ON ORLANDO, BUT THE LINE WHICH OPENED AT 4 GOT SMASHED DOWN TO 3. THE SHARP MONEY IS ON THE LAKERS AND SO AM I. IT IS JUST NOT MEANT TO BE FOR ORLANDO. NO MATTER WHAT THEY DO DESTINY IS AGAINST THEM. WHETHER IT IS MISSING LAYUPS, FREE THROWS, DEFENSIVE LAPSES, MISSED WIDE OPEN THREE'S, DOUBLE DIGIT LEADS, THE LAKERS WILL BE YOUR 2009 CHAMPS. WHETHER IT ENDS TONIGHT OR TUESDAY IS A FOR GONE CONCLUSION. AS YOU HAVE SEEN KOBE IS NOT MICHAEL JORDAN BUT IT IS CLOSE. GASOL, FISHER, ARIZA, ODOM, BYNUM HAVE PLAYED WELL ENOUGH AND AT TIMES BRILLIANTLY. JACKSON HAS BEEN UN ZEN LIKE BUT GOOD ENOUGH TO NOTCH HIS 10TH CHAMPIONSHIP. VAN GUNDY'S GAMBLE WITH JAMEER NELSON HAS FAILED. HOWARD'S YOUTH, INEXPERIENCE AND LACK OF A FULL OFFENSIVE GAME HAS COST DEARLY. WHEN YOU LIVE BY THE 3, YOU DIE BY THE 3. NO TEAM HAS EVER WON A CHAMPIONSHIP BY DRAINING 3'S AND ORLANDO WILL NOT BE THE FIRST. IT IS KOBE'S FOURTH, IT IS FISHER'S FOURTH AND IT IS JACKSON'S 10TH. IF THEY DON'T CLOSE IT TONIGHT IT WILL HAPPEN ON TUESDAY, BUT REGUARDLESS TONIGHT IS A $5,000 DIME HIGH ROLLER COVER BETTING THE LAKERS +3.
Comment