NBA Conference Finals Updated Forecasts

  • Monday, May 17, 2010 5:00 PM
  • Written By: AccuScore

Share:

Boston was actually the AccuScore Side Value pick in Game 1 and combined with hitting the Four Star Under pick Game 1 delivered a solid 2-1, +267 unit profit. We missed the point spread when Orlando won by -7 in simulations and the line was -6.5.

Despite its Game 1 loss the Magic are still given a 58 percent chance of winning the series because it has been such a good road team this year (25-16). Boston has struggled at home (just 24-17) and as we pointed out in our series preview, many key Magic three-point shooters are actually better on the road than at home in terms of shooting percentage. The Magic lost Game 1 because Dwight Howard couldn't finish with dunks and instead resorted to trying nifty And-1 layups that did not work. When Howard is playing that passively around the basket, the team is frankly better with Marcin Gortat. The Magic also shot under 25 percent from three-point range. If Howard had made half his FGs and Orlando had made 33 percent of its three-point shots, it could have won.

But definitely give credit to Boston who had some rough shooting from three starters (Garnett, Rondo and Perkins combined for 10-30) and still won. Ray Allen torched the Magic with great cuts to the basket and with some timely perimeter shots. Overall, both teams had unexpectedly poor shooting nights from key players that I do not expect to see continue all series long.

If the shooting numbers improve, Orlando should have time to come back to win in 6 or 7. If Dwight Howard cannot do a better job handling Kendrick Perkins' physical play, then the Celtics could definitely prove skeptics, like AccuScore, wrong.

CELTICS LEAD ORLANDO 1-0 ORL BOS
Win Series 58.0% 42.0%
Win Series in 4 Games 0.0% 6.6%
Win Series in 5 Games 13.6% 8.6%
Win Series in 6 Games 18.7% 17.0%
Win Series in 7 Games 25.7% 9.8%





5 Takes
Submit
Takes

username
dick the bulldog
You are all Vegas and no history or experience. Howard is facing a formidable foursome of KG, Wallace, Perkins and Big Baby, not to mention the best ball hawk in the game Rhondo. Howard just might adjust his game and play better, but this is not the same team he is use to playing against. If the Celts stay injury free, they will embarass the Magic.
username
Socratesdad
we've(ORLANDO) owned the Celtics in both the regular season and the playoffs for years and it will not change now. The rust is off now and Magic time is here. See ya Boston...it's been fun!!!
username
Hugh Jainus
dick you don't know what you are talking about. Though I am no Magic fan, that first game was caused by not playing for a week and being out of rhythm. It could not have been any more obvious. Boston did not Shut the Magic down. Also, the Red Sox and Patriots Suck!
username
giff
hmmm....caused by not playing for a week? well, it seems the lakers had the same time off and didn't lose....don't think it was a factor...it seems more like celtics are peaking at the right time...does it mean the magic will lose it all? does it mean the celtics will lose it all? nope, it could be either...all game 1 means, is that the celtics have one in hand. beyond that...all bets are off for me...
username
JMG
its funny they say the magic have played good this year at home with a 25 and 16 record and they say the celtics have struggled at home with only one more game lost and one less game won wow thats a thin line for good and bad id say...doesnt matter the Celts are up 2-0 and the series is headed to boston and the celtics are playing very well