NBA’s hottest under bets
By ALEX SMART
Orlando Magic: 32-38 over/under
Since alternating overs and unders in their previous five games, the Magic have rattled off five straight under payouts. They have limited their last five opponents to just 93.8 points per game.
The streak began with a 105-87 dismantling of the Utah Jazz at home, which fell comfortably under the 203-point total. They then lost a tough defensive-minded affair against the Cleveland Cavaliers. That effort was followed up with another blowout of Milwaukee before outlasting New York in back-to-back non-divisional under battles.
This team really has rounded into form with Rafer Alston now comfortable at point guard. You always look for balance in the NBA playoffs and the Magic are about as balanced a team as you can find. Their offense is eighth scoring while the defense also chimes in at eighth place, allowing just 95 points per game.
It would take a monumental collapse by Cleveland for Orlando to sneak into the No. 1 slot. But if this team continues to excel at the defensive end of the court, there’s no reason to believe they can’t do some major damage in the postseason.
New Orleans Hornets: 29-39 over/under
Under bettors have cashed six straight tickets in New Orleans’ last six games. It looks as if the Hornets have their defensive swagger back to close out the regular season. None of their last five opponents reached the 100-point plateau, with the highest being 97 points by Chicago.
Hornets ATS backers weren’t happy with them being outscored 91.6-90.4 during that stretch, but they limited the Golden State Warriors to 89 points and the Memphis Grizzlies to 84 points in their last two games.
The Hornets are the prototypical under team. They own the leagues 25th ranked offense, scoring an average of 96 PPG, and the defense is ranked fourth after allowing just 93.3 points per game. The offense will gain confidence with four of their next five games against some of the worst defensive teams in the league (Denver, New York, Sacramento, LA Clippers).
San Antonio Spurs: 33-34 over/under
The Spurs lost their grasp of the top seed in the Southwest this past week, frustrating fans and betting backers. But total players reaped the rewards as they continued to play inspired ball on the defensive end of the court.
Since allowing the Lakers to score 102 points back on March 12, none of their last five opponents tallied higher than their average of 92.8 points against per game (second best defensive mark in the league). Those games averaged 167 combined points as the Spurs 24th ranked offense (96.6 PPG) continued to sputter, never managing to reach the 100-point plateau (85, 77, 93, 76, 88).
And the rest
Indiana Pacers: 37-32 over/under, 0-5 over/ under in last five games
Oklahoma City Thunder: 32-37 over/under, 0-5 over/under in last five games
New York Knicks: 34-36 over/under, 0-5 over/under in last five games
Utah Jazz: 33-35 over/under, 1-4 over/under in last five games