New Orleans Hornets vs. Orlando Magic
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Amway Arena will be the site of the first of three Monday night NBA betting battles where the New Orleans Hornets (27-24, 24-27 ATS) will look to play the role of spoiler against the Southeast Division leading Orlando Magic (34-17, 26-24-1 ATS). The Hornets enter this game on the outside of the Western Conference playoff picture, but certainly within striking distance at just two games behind the Blazers for the final slot. Orlando can’t afford a slip in a very winnable game with the Hawks sitting right on its tail. Both teams proved victories SU as underdogs in their latest basketball wagering wars, as New Orleans took out Charlotte 104-99, while the Magic beat Boston 96-89 in the Garden.

With the franchise losing money hand over fist, there’s a big question about how much longer the Hornets will be together. There are rumors about basically everyone on the team being dealt before the NBA’s trading deadline, and it has arguably really had a negative effect on team chemistry. The Hornets have surrendered 105.0 points per game in their L/9 games, which is up almost four points from their season average. It also doesn’t help that G Chris Paul has been out of the lineup with a knee injury and won’t return for at least another month. F David West scored 21 points in New Orleans’ win over the Bobcats, and he’ll need to pick up the pace from his 17.9 points per game on the season for the Hornets to stay in the playoff picture.

Orlando responded to its head coach’s tirade following its loss to Washington with a big win at Boston Garden on Super Bowl Sunday. All five starters scored in double digits, led by G Vince Carter’s 20. Carter hasn’t always been integral in Orlando’s efforts down the stretch in games, as he’s often been left on the bench by HC Stan Van Gundy in crucial junctures. The former North Carolina Tar Heel is second on the team in scoring at 15.8 points per game, and he’ll need to continue to have a major impact on the Magic for them to succeed.

Both teams absolutely destroyed the other when hosting this series a year ago. The Hornets won 117-85 at New Orleans Arena, while Orlando scored an 88-68 victory at Amway Arena. Both favored teams won last year, but the underdog had gone 8-0-1 ATS in their previous nine basketball wagering duels.

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