NBA: Knicks try to avoid back-to-back sweep
Click here to read latest NBA news
2009-03-23
The New York Knicks don't appear to be going anywhere again this season, however they could some damage to the hopes of Orlando when they host the Magic Monday night. New York kept in the game Saturday in Central Florida, losing 110-103 as 13-point road underdogs and will attempt to derail the Orlando express in Madison Square Garden. The Knicks are a hefty 5-point home dog. See where your colleagues are placing their trust on the BETTING TRENDS page.
The Magic have won nine of 11 (8-3 ATS) and have benefited from Kevin Garnett and other Boston players being out of the lineup, to tie the Celtics with 18 losses on the season, fighting for second seed in the Eastern Conference. This will be Orlando's second back to back series this season, having won and covered previously against Atlanta in early January.
With just 13 games left in the regular season, Orlando (51-18, 45-24 ATS) can't get ahead of themselves, even against a team like New York. Dwight Howard and the Magic play host to Boston Wednesday and have to stay the same course that enabled them to have a 24-11 and 25-10 ATS record on the road this season.
New York (28-41, 39-29-1 ATS) had brought themselves to the edge of playoff discussion, however four losses in a row, means another trip back to the lottery. Coach Mike D'Antoni, after years of success in Phoenix, knew this was rebuilding job, but has to be contumely with his players after latest swoon.
The Knicks have been the recipient of a number of points all season and have been a solid wager; including being 21-10 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record this season. "We can by no means start packing it in," Knicks guard Larry Hughes said. "We still have games to play. If we don't make the playoffs, we still want to finish on a strong note."
About the only way New York gets back into playoff conversation is if they finish 13-0, and not sure if Patrick Ewing, Walt Frazier and Bill Bradley could come back in their prime, if that would even be a possibility. At the very least, possibly the Knicks could extract quick turnaround revenge and improve to 29-18 ATS this season when faced with that prospect.
Sportsbook.com has New York as five-point home underdogs and they are 8-9 and 10-7 ATS when oddsmakers place them in that roll. The total has landed on 213.5. The Knicks are superb 14-3 against the number when playing third game in four days and 12-3 OVER at MSG after a combined score of 205 points or more for two straight games. Orlando is most rested and is playing only second game in five days and is 13-4 ATS when this happens. The Magic are 13-4 OVER in road games after covering two of last three against the spread.
This confrontation will start at 7:35 Eastern, with the Knicks a fetid 5-15 ATS in March home games the last three years.
StatFox Power Line - Orlando by 10