Game of the day: Magic at Heat
By STEVE MERRIL - I'm successful because I stay one step ahead of the books March 30, 2009 2 comments
Orlando Magic (-3, 194) at Miami Heat ? 7:35 pm ET
Playoff Positioning
The Magic have clinched the Southeast division title and a top three seed in the upcoming playoffs. But Orlando is still battling with the Boston Celtics for the overall No. 2 seed and home court advantage in a probable second round matchup. Orlando is currently a half-game behind the Celtics, but Orlando does have three more games remaining than Boston as the Magic have 10 regular season games still on the schedule, while Boston has just seven games left.
Miami is currently fifth in the Eastern Conference and 1? games ahead of Philadelphia. The Heat still have a chance at home court in the first round, but must catch Atlanta as the Hawks currently stand 3? games ahead with eight games remaining, while Miami has nine regular season games left on the schedule.
Home Court Advantage
The Heat have exhibited an extreme home-road dichotomy as they currently stand 26-11 SU (straight up) at home, compared to just 13-23 SU on the road. The strong home record has not translated into pointspread success as the Heat are only 18-19 ATS (against the spread) in those 37 home games.
Miami?s average margin of victory at home this season is just +4.3 points per game, but the Heat might receive an extra boost of energy tonight with a pregame ceremony to retire Alonzo Mourning?s No. 33 jersey.
Pointspread Machine
Orlando has been a pointspread mint the past two seasons under head coach Stan Van Gundy. The Magic stand 102-60 (63 percent) ATS in all games for a net profit of +36 units. The Magic are 71-46 ATS as a favorite and 31-14 ATS as an underdog and have been most profitable on the road with a fantastic 54-28 ATS record away from home.
Recent Meetings
Orlando is currently dominating this in-state rivalry with a 6-1 SU record during the past two seasons. The home team is a perfect 3-0 SU/ATS in all three meetings this season. Orlando won the first matchup 86-76 on Jan. 2 as an 8?-point home favorite, but then lost the rematch at Miami 103-97 on Jan. 24 as a 7?-point road favorite. Orlando got its revenge on Feb. 22 with an easy 122-99 home win as a 9-point favorite.
Dwyane Wade
The one constant in all three meetings this year has been the greatness of Miami?s Wade, who has averaged nearly 37 points per game including a 50-point performance in the most recent meeting. In fact, it was the first time in the past 14 years that a player scored 50+ points while his team lost by 20+ points.
Wade has scored at least 32 points or more in seven of his last nine games versus the Magic.
?My concern is when Dwyane goes into the Hall of Fame and they start putting off his top career games, it?s going to be like 50 versus Orlando? we?re going to fill up the entire screen?, said Van Gundy. ?So, I don?t know what to tell you. When I coached Dwyane I really liked him, but I'm not so sure anymore. Our relationship is strained.