Two of the NBA’s premier big men collide tonight when Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic host Andrew Bynum and the Los Angeles Lakers in Orlando. Tip-off is slated for 8:00 PM ET at the Amway Center.
Sports betting shops opened with the Magic
favored to deal the Lakers a second straight Florida defeat.
The Los Angeles Lakers (10-6 SU, 7-9 ATS) dropped a 98-87 decision to the Miami Heat last night. Despite
experiencing flu-like symptoms earlier in the day, LeBron James played and
played well scoring a game high 31 points. The Lakers ‘Big Three’ of Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Bynum combined for
65 points with Gasol getting 26 of those.
Bryant suffered another cold shooting
night, going 8 for 21 from the field while Bynum had a tidy 15 points and 12
rebounds. The Lakers also suffered a setback at the betting window failing to
cover, despite getting +5.5 points.
The Lakers have now lost four straight to the
Heat and are 1-7 in their last eight games in Miami. LA is also a dismal 1-5 SU
on the road.
Last
add Bryant. He’s now 15 of 43 from the field in his last two games.
The Orlando Magic (10-4 SU, 8-6 ATS) are coming off an 85-83 overtime loss to the Spurs on
Wednesday. Howard had a huge double-double with 24 points and 25 rebounds
including nine on the offensive end. Ryan Anderson added 17 for Orlando which
failed to cover as a -7 point favorite. The combined 168 points stay well
‘under’ the total of 192. It marked the sixth time in seven home games that the
Magic have played to the low side.
Present
and Future
When the Lakers and Magic take the court
tonight the Magic's current center (Howard) could
be facing the Magic's center of the future (Bynum).
The Magic and Dwight Howard must
make choices about their futures in the weeks ahead and those decisions could
very well affect the Lakers and Bynum.
Magic officials say nothing has changed
regarding Howard's long-term future. The team still wants to re-sign him for
the long term, but the trade request Howard made in December still stands.
If Howard's mind does not change between now
and the trade deadline, the Magic would take an enormous gamble if they hold
onto him past March 15. Howard could opt out of the final year of his deal in
July and become a free agent.
Matchup
Most NBA experts say that while Bynum is a
very good player who is improving, he’s simply not on Howard's level. The
numbers indicate that at least this season, LA’s young center is holding his
own against Superman.
Bynum is averaging 16.8 points and 13.9
rebounds and leads the Lakers in field goal percentage (52.9) and blocked
shots. Howard’s numbers are slightly better; he’s averaging 20.1 points and
15.6 rebounds per outing. The caveat is that Howard is Orlando’s number one
scoring option and he gets more ‘touches’ per game than Bynum, who is the third
option for LA behind Kobe and Gasol.
Hey
there, you’re an All-Star
Howard continues to lead the NBA in All-Star
balloting with more than 1.1 million votes. Bryant is second in the overall
voting. Bynum leads Western Division centers in the voting by a healthy margin
over the Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan.
Trends
The visiting team is 10-4-1 ATS in the last
15 series meetings and the Lakers are 5-1-1 in their last seven games against
the Magic.
The ‘under’ is 9-1 and 6-0 in the last 10
series meetings.
Harvey’s Take: It’s a tough spot for the Lakers who played last night
while the Magic rested. It looks like the perfect situation for another
‘under’. That’s my NBA pick tonight.
Good
luck!