For a number of different reasons I believe the value in this matchup is on the large visiting dog:
Indiana has lost 16 of 18 on the road, with the lone wins in that span coming at Washington and New Jersey - the East’s other two last-place clubs.
Indiana arrives in Orlando following Tuesday’s 113-83 loss at Miami, its second straight defeat following a three-game winning streak; I expect a "rebound" this evening.
Despite the loss last night, Indiana is 4-2 ATS its last six overall.
On the other side of the court: After a 106-94 win over Minnesota on New Year’s Day, the Magic (26-15) opened a three-game Southeast Division lead over Atlanta and moved within one game of Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland.
The Magic have since lost seven of nine to drop to fourth in the East, five games back of the Cavaliers. They now trail the Hawks by one-half game in the division. During the disappointing stretch, the Magic fell 97-90 on Jan. 5 at 13th-place Indiana (14-27).
The Magic had a chance to win Monday at Los Angeles, but went nearly six minutes without a field goal in a crucial stretch of the fourth quarter en route to a 98-92 loss.
Not only are the Magic just 3-6 ATS their last nine overall, they are also a poor 2-7 SU their last nine.
Bottom line: Look for INDIANA to improve to 2-0 ATS this year as a road dog of 9 1/2 to 12 points and for Orlando to fall to 5-8 ATS when revenging a loss vs. an opponent!
Nick "BookieKiller" Parsons 01/20
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