Ala Hann Sport picks

With the trade deadline just past, it is time to take a look at which teams bettered themselves and which made themselves better for the future by sacrificing the present.

Why? So we can bet on them of course.

This Wednesday we have a clear example of what happens when a team trades away the reason for their success and has to figure out a new way to play when the Orlando Magic travel to Houston to face the new look Rockets.

Orlando Magic (38-19, 2^nd in Eastern Conference) @ Houston Rockets (28-27, t-10^th in Western Conference)

NBA odds (*note lines are approximations as they have not been posted at the time of writing)

Spread: Magic -6

Over/Under: 190

Money Line: Magic -220, Houston +145

Key Storylines

Bronze Medal: Can the Rockets cool off Vince Carter?

Vince Carter started this year off terribly. He was taking bad shots, not hitting them and not setting up teammates. He looked disinterested. Coming over from New Jersey in the offseason, the Magic thought he would be an upgrade over Hedo Turkoglu but looked like a disappointment for much of the season. About a month ago, former Nets Coach Lawrence Frank (asked by Magic coach Stan Van Gundy) came and visited Vince to see what was up. Stan Van Gundy has started using some plays Vince is used to running from his old Nets days and the results have been tremendous. Carter is averaging 20.6 points 5.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists a game in February compared to 8.7 points , 2.7 boards and 2.2 dimes in January. Carter is finally back to form and playing well with the rest of the Magic. This team is a whole new beast with Carter playing this way. The Rockets will throw Trevor Ariza at him, who is one of the league’s best defensive G/F’s. Carter has plenty of options to pass off to on this deep Magic team, but look for Carter to step up in big moments no matter who is guarding him.

Advantage: Magic

Silver Medal: Did the trade improve or hurt the Rockets?

At the trade deadline the Rockets shipped off seldom used Tracy McGrady, team leader Carl Landry and Joey Dorsey off and got back SG Kevin Martin, backup center Hilton Armstrong, rookie F Jordan Hill, F Jared Jeffries aka the worst offensive player in the NBA, and the right to swap 2011 1^st round picks with the Knicks (top 1 protected) and the Knicks 2012 1^st round pick (top 5 protected).

This trade doesn’t make the Rockets better now. Carl Landry was the all purpose dynamo underneath for the Rockets. Now they have little or no presence underneath. Martin is a sharpshooter and he will take a lot of the shooting load from Trevor Ariza. It will take some time for these guys to play as one, but expect Coach Rick Adelman to get them up to speed quickly. Martin will have to go against the likes of Vince Carter and Mikael Pietrus in this game so it probably won’t happen Wednesday.

Advantage: Magic

Gold Medal: How does this team stop Dwight Howard?

Dwight Howard is the premier center in the NBA.  Although Shaq may have gotten the best of him heads up, the Magic were able to knock off the Cavs last week. The Rockets added Jared Jeffries for his defense. Jeffries can play four positions on D, but is skinny and can’t be confused for a big banger. Dwight Howard will eat him, Chuck Hayes, Hilton Armstrong and Luis Scola alive. Howard will put up ridiculous numbers in this game.

Advantage: Magic

Prediction:

The Rockets will be on a slide until they get accustomed to playing with their new roster. Even then, this team will have trouble against teams with dominant big men. The trade really is for next year and the future as Yao Ming should be back and this team should instantly become a contender once that happens. The Knicks draft picks may be useful if the Knicks cannot land a big name and become a playoff team next year. That aside, the Rockets have very little chance, even at home, versus this Magic team.

Final: Magic 96 – Rockets 76

Sports betting tips: Take the Magic and the under as this game is a lock.