Magic is In The Air For NBA Bettors
By Arun M. Vaithi of Doc's Sports Picks
As the playoffs are approaching, we hear so much talk about the traditional favorites like the Pistons, Heat, Nets and the newcomer Cleveland Cavaliers, yet one team not getting the attention and playing incredible ball now is the Orlando Magic. Many ruled this team out much earlier in the season. However, they have won nine of their last 10 and five in a row including home wins against the Pistons and are just three games back from the last playoff spot as they go against the Toronto Raptors tonight attempting to win a season high six games in a row. That's right, the young Orlando Magic are just three back from the last playoff spot with just a few games to go.
With the arrival of Darko Milicic and Carlos Arroyo, the Magic have been on a tear as the two combined have made an immediate impact with Arroyo scoring nearly 11 points per game while Darko, after being shunned by the Pistons, has quickly increased his scoring average to nearly 8 ppg. Both players add depth to a team that has star power with Grant Hill, Dwight Howard and rising point guard Jameer Nelson. Playing unselfish basketball, the Magic have beat some goliaths in the league including Detroit at home, in-state rival Miami on the road by nearly double digits, Milwaukee, Dallas and they crushed Philly on the road - albeit when Iverson was injured - yet, they still beat this struggling a Sixers team by 16.
The Magic have five games left on their schedule including two vital games against Eastern Conference playoff contenders Philadelphia and Chicago. The Magic play a Chris Bosh-less Raptors team at home and then go on the road to play the Spurs in a tough test. Then they return to play the key games against Philadelphia and Chicago in must-win games to make the playoffs. Then, the Magic close the regular season out at Indiana. Considering that the Sixers play the Nets twice and the Magic on the road - and considering that the Bulls have to play Miami and Washington and the Magic on the road - Orlando could very well be the dark horse for the eighth and last playoff spot.
So much talk has been given to the Sixers, Bulls and even the diminishing Celtics for the last playoff spot. However, the true wild card in this roller coaster ride is the young Magic team that is playing some of the best team basketball in the league. In short, all roads for the eighth and last spot go through Orlando as both the Sixers and Bulls have to travel there before they can stamp their tickets to the playoffs. Thus, by the way things are shaking up, I would not be surprised if this Magic team does steal the spot away from the over-hyped Sixers and Bulls teams. Even if the Magic do not get the last spot, I will point out that this team is a true testament to what is still good in the NBA in that a young team that has passion and desire does not quit. When the team was doing horrendous they keep working and constantly improved and they now find themselves consistently beating some of the league's best. Thus, the Magic are not only a team to keep on the radar for this year's playoff picture, but for years to come.
During this stretch: The Magic are 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 and 11-3 ATS as a home favorite recently. This just goes to show, value is not necessarily in household names or teams, but rather the teams that come together and gel at the right times.