Ala Hann Sport picks

If you’re betting on World Cup odds, you don’t really have to worry about homefield advantage as it would take a miracle for South Africa to get through to the next round.  Boston and Orlando must not feel like they have that much of a homecourt advantage as the road team has won three of the first games so far in their Eastern Conference finals showdown.  The Magic will try to keep that trend going in Game 6 on Friday, ironically so they can play the seventh and deciding game at home.

Bet Celtics Magic – Friday, May 28, 8:30 PM ET

The Celtics surprisingly managed to stay in the game for most of their 113-92 loss in Game 5 in Orlando, but it all fell apart in the fourth quarter when they were outscored by 12 points.  Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce netted 18 points each for the Celtics, who managed just four offensive rebounds, and were outrebounded 43-26 in total.  A lot of that may be down to their missing big men: Kendrick Perkins was ejected after his second technical foul of the first half after tangling with Dwight Howard, while Glen “Big Baby” Davis was knocked into next week by a Howard elbow and suffered a concussion.  NBA playoff betting players know that Boston can’t afford to lose their big men against Howard.

“Superman” had 21 points, 10 boards and five blocks, while Jameer Nelson notched a game-high 24 points for the Magic, who looked like they were on a mission.  Orlando hit 52.2% of their shots, and they were outlandish from long range, going 13-of-25.  Nelson and Matt Barnes combined to hit seven of those three-pointers, which really stretched the Boston defense out and allowed Howard to have his way in the post.  The Magic also got big minutes from J.J. Redick, who dropped 14 points in 22 minutes.

NBA betting odds have the Magic as a 3-point underdog in Boston in Game 6, and the Celtics will have Perkins in the lineup after his second technical was rescinded on Thursday, which is good news as Davis almost certainly won’t play on Friday night.  The Celtics looked a mess in the second half of Game 5, especially in the fourth quarter, and Boston has struggled in the final 12 minutes during this entire series.  Kevin Garnett hasn’t looked that good over the last couple of games, and you have to wonder if his knee injury is flaring up again, and Rondo and Ray Allen have been inconsistent.  You’re also seeing the Orlando team that finished second to Cleveland in the East, and was arguably the best team in the league after the All-Star break.  We’re going to lay an online sports bet with the Magic to extend this series to a seventh game.