Eastern Conference Finals
No. 2 Orlando Magic vs. No. 4 Boston Celtics

Orlando Magic Vs. Boston Celtics Series Odds
Boston +210
Orlando -280

The Boston Celtics ousted the favored Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round of the NBA playoffs, but a new favorite has emerged. Even before Cleveland was upset the Eastern Conference playoffs appeared to be Orlando’s to lose. The Magic have opened the playoffs with eight straight wins to sweep the Bobcats and the Hawks. Overall Orlando is now on a 27-3 SU run dating back to late February.

But things could get tricky in this round for Orlando. For one, they have only played eight games in this postseason and by the time Sunday and Game 1 rolls around they would have had 29 days off in this postseason. The only other teams to sweep the first two rounds of the NBA playoffs since the first round was expanded to best-of-seven series were eliminated in the very next round.

The Miami Heat were upset in 2005 by the Detroit Pistons and last year Orlando knocked off Cleveland in the Eastern Conference Finals after LeBron and company swept the first two rounds. The past history does not favor Orlando but it is hard to ignore how efficient they have been lately.

In the four games this season between the two teams Orlando owns a 3-1 record. While the Western Conference Finals could be a shootout, this series is likely going to be a war of attrition with lower scores. The total for Game 1 is 189.5, that is 21 points lower than the total in Phoenix and Los Angeles’ first game.

Both teams have the defense to play in a series like this. Orlando has the fourth best defense in the NBA and Boston has the fifth. Both teams have experience playing in this round, too, with Boston winning the NBA title in 2008 and Orlando reaching the Finals in 2009.

Jameer Nelson has elevated his game to a whole new level in the playoffs. He is averaging 20.5 points per game. He is one of five players on Orlando to average double figures. Just as Nelson has saved the best for the playoffs, so has Rajon Rondo. Both guards can score but Rondo has been able to distribute better than any point guard in the Eastern Conference this postseason. He has 122 assists already in the playoffs and he has just been fueling the fire from the Big 3 of Garnett, Allen and Pierce. In a series as balanced as this, it could very likely come down to a battle of the point guards.

Orlando Magic Vs. Boston Celtics Series Predictions
Boston in six

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