PREMIUM
Rogers' Game of the Week (10* NBA) >>> 31-15 NBA Run!
(NBA) Orlando vs. Charlotte,
Point Spread: 7.00 | -115.00 Orlando (Away)
Result: Loss
Point Spread: 7.00 | -115.00 Orlando (Away)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The 10-13 Orlando Magic are in Charlotte tonight to take on the 13-9 Hornets. The Magic are looking to bounce back from an ugly 1117-87 home loss to the Celtics on Wednesday, which occurred in the team's first game back after a five-game road trip which had seen them end that trip with three straight wins, including a 95-83 victory at the San Antonio Spurs. The Hornets opened 6-1 but then dropped six of eight, before righting the ship with five wins in their last seven.
Orlando: Orlando went 4-1 on a five-game road trip that included a win at San Antonio but shot 37 percent from the field in a 117-87 home loss to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday. "We just didn't play the right way and we didn't play our game, plus our defense was terrible," Magic center Bismack Biyombo (5.5 & 8.3)told reporters. "We can sit here and talk about this and that, but we didn't play the way that we've been playing. We started holding onto the ball longer. I don't think 'selfish' would be the right way to put it, but we didn't trust the next guy. If you play like that, you are going to lose." Fournier (16.7) and PG Payton (10.7 & 5.3 APG) are a nice backcourt duo plus Ibaka (14.3 & 6.7) and Vucevic (12.4 & 11.3) form a nice one-two inside punch. However, Vucevic is questionable with an eye injury. He's an important cog, recording a double-double in 10 of the last 12 games, while presenting a strong inside presence for a team which ranks 5th in point allowed (98.8 PPG).
Charlotte: Charlotte forward Marvin Williams (10.0 & 6.0) sat out six games with a knee injury but returned on Wednesday and made his presence felt on the defensive end while adding 12 points and five rebounds in 26 minutes. "It felt good. I got a lot of energy," Williams told reporters. "I felt like I haven't played in a long time, but once I got back out there, I feel like I had a pretty good rhythm, my conditioning felt fine, so I'm happy with the win." Walker (23.6-4.0-5.0) is having an excellent season and Batunm (13.5-7.;7-5.5) is proving to be one of the league's most versatile players. Kaminsky (10.9 & 4.7) and Zeller (10.5 & 5.8) split time at center and if Williams can stay healthy, he and Kidd-Gilchrist (9.5-7.1), one of the league's best defenders, give Charlotte quality depth up front.
The pick: This is not the best scheduling spot for Orlando, going back on the road after just one home following a five-game road trip but after a 6-1 start (5-2 ATS), the Hornets are only 6-8-1 ATS their last 15 games. Take the points and make the Magic a 10* play.
Orlando: Orlando went 4-1 on a five-game road trip that included a win at San Antonio but shot 37 percent from the field in a 117-87 home loss to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday. "We just didn't play the right way and we didn't play our game, plus our defense was terrible," Magic center Bismack Biyombo (5.5 & 8.3)told reporters. "We can sit here and talk about this and that, but we didn't play the way that we've been playing. We started holding onto the ball longer. I don't think 'selfish' would be the right way to put it, but we didn't trust the next guy. If you play like that, you are going to lose." Fournier (16.7) and PG Payton (10.7 & 5.3 APG) are a nice backcourt duo plus Ibaka (14.3 & 6.7) and Vucevic (12.4 & 11.3) form a nice one-two inside punch. However, Vucevic is questionable with an eye injury. He's an important cog, recording a double-double in 10 of the last 12 games, while presenting a strong inside presence for a team which ranks 5th in point allowed (98.8 PPG).
Charlotte: Charlotte forward Marvin Williams (10.0 & 6.0) sat out six games with a knee injury but returned on Wednesday and made his presence felt on the defensive end while adding 12 points and five rebounds in 26 minutes. "It felt good. I got a lot of energy," Williams told reporters. "I felt like I haven't played in a long time, but once I got back out there, I feel like I had a pretty good rhythm, my conditioning felt fine, so I'm happy with the win." Walker (23.6-4.0-5.0) is having an excellent season and Batunm (13.5-7.;7-5.5) is proving to be one of the league's most versatile players. Kaminsky (10.9 & 4.7) and Zeller (10.5 & 5.8) split time at center and if Williams can stay healthy, he and Kidd-Gilchrist (9.5-7.1), one of the league's best defenders, give Charlotte quality depth up front.
The pick: This is not the best scheduling spot for Orlando, going back on the road after just one home following a five-game road trip but after a 6-1 start (5-2 ATS), the Hornets are only 6-8-1 ATS their last 15 games. Take the points and make the Magic a 10* play.
