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Orlando Magic acquire Gilbert Arenas
2011-02-08
After having a lackluster performance this month, the Orlando Magic decided to revamp their roster, acquiring former all-star point guard Gilbert Arenas in a deal that sent sweet-shooting forward Rashard Lewis to the Washington Wizards on Sunday 18 December.
Orlando Magic general manager Otis Smith said that they felt that they have to make a move in order to stay in the hunt for an NBA title after having poor performances this month, while seeing how their Eastern Conference rivals, Miami Heat and Boston Celtics, destroyed their opponents.
Smith also said that Dwight Howard was on board with the deal, saying that Howard also felt that they need to make necessary changes to their roster in order to compete for the title, and Smith expressed his excitement after announcing the deal.
“Gilbert Arenas is a proven All-Star in this league and we’re excited to add him to our team,” said Smith. “He is one of the top scoring guards in the game, he can create scoring chances for his teammates and he is as tough as they come.”
Smith also added that he is not bothered by the “bad image” of Arenas while he was still with the Wizards, where he was involved in a gun incident last season.
“We have a tendency not to forgive people in this country,” Smith said. “We have a tendency to hold onto things a little bit longer, particularly if they play professional sports. And I always say that sometimes good people do stupid things, and that one's right on the top of the list. But I feel comfortable with who he is, knowing him since he was 19 years old.”
Arenas, on the other hand, was also thrilled upon hearing that he was traded to the Magic, where he would form a deadly combo with arguably the best center in the league right now, Dwight Howard.
“This is a new beginning for me,” said Arenas, who is averaging 17.3 points and 5.6 assists in 21 games this season. “This is a true new beginning. Changing my number was a new beginning, but this is a real new beginning with a new city, new people and new team, and I get to start fresh.”
Arenas, who has been sidelined by several injuries in the past three years and was suspended for the rest of the season last year after the infamous gun incident, also said that he’s glad to be back in playoff hunt after three-straight dismal seasons with the Wizards.
“I'm just glad to be back in the playoff hunt,” Arenas said. “I've been out of it for a while and just glad to be back in competitive basketball with a group of guys who now hope to win, so it's just great.”
With Arenas in their fold, the Magic would have an additional firepower, but it remains to be seen whether they would jell quickly to be a threat to the East leader Boston Celtics and the star-studded Miami Heat, who have been destroying their opponents as of late. With this big deal the Magic are +1800 to win the NBA championship according to the Basketball Odds at sportsbook.com the home of NBA betting.
NBA: NBA Playoffs Friday Triple-play2010-04-23The Boston Celtics looked like a bunch of old geezers the latter part of the schedule, but have found playoff basketball the perfect tonic for what ailed them. San Antonio is elderly at certain positions and too small to match up with Dallas, yet they return home 1-1. The Utah team bus can officially use their handicap sticker for parking with all their injuries, yet they could go up in the series over Denver with a win tonight. That is the backdrop for all three games tonight on the NBA playoff schedule. Let’s take a closer look at each before heading over to the LIVE ODDS page on Sportsbook.com and hitting the confirm button on our wagers.
Boston at Miami 7:00E ESPN
The Heat were a popular wager twice in Boston and they came up short both times as the Celtics went back to what they do best, play defense and take good shots. Playoff basketball can do that for team, the daily grind of the regular season is replaced by focusing on the strengths and weakness of just one foe, creating a singular mindset.
Boston is 13-1 and 10-4 ATS against Miami in just over three seasons of playing the Heat. This provides a certain comfort level not easily achieved, even performing on the postseason road.
“We’re figuring their backs are against the wall and they’re thinking that if they don’t get Game 3 then this is pretty much over,” Kevin Garnett said. “I know that’s what I would be thinking so we’re going to have to be ready for that.” Garnett’s team is 19-7 ATS off a home blowout win by 20 points or more.
Miami is 7-23 ATS at home after playing consecutive road games yet is not showing panic outwardly. “Minor adjustments, of course, but energy, effort, mental, things like that. Those are the things we’ve been so good at so far this year,” Heat forward Udonis Haslem said. “We’ve got to get back to that.”
Sportsbook.com has Boston catching four points, with total of 182 and they are 22-11 ATS as visitors when the total is between 180 and 189.5 points over the last two seasons. The C’s are 10-2 UNDER off a home win by 10 points or more this year. The Heat will attempt to get off the canvas and are 28-13 ATS after allowing 105 points or more, coupled with 9-0 OVER mark off an embarrassing road loss scoring less than 80 points.
Dallas at San Antonio 9:30E ESPN
Tim Duncan, he of the aching knees, having lost a step of quickness, is masquerading as the player he was 10 years ago, averaging 26 points and 12.5 rebounds against Dallas. The Duncan drop-step is back and the lack of quickness has been replaced with smarter positioning to release shots faster before opponent can gather itself.
“For two or three weeks there toward the end of the season, I was starting to wear down a little bit,” Duncan stated. Off the 102-88 thumping, the Spurs are 10-3-1 ATS after breaking the century mark in points.
The Mavericks have looked a little too dependent on offense from Dirk Nowitzki thus far in the series, benefitting from his near perfect 36-point performance in Game 1 and sagging noticeably when he was 9-24 from the field, totaling up 24 points Wednesday night.
Dallas is 14-3 ATS in road games off an upset loss as a favorite and needs production in the paint from their centers. In the opener Erick Dampier and Brandon Heywood totaled 15 points, in Game 2, a meaningless two points.
The Spurs are 3.5-point pick at the AT&T Center where they have covered seven of previous nine. Dallas is spirited 26-15 ATS on the road and 13-3 UNDER revenging a home loss.
Denver at Utah 10:30E ESPN2
If the shoulders of Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer look a little bigger, it’s for good reason; they are forced to carry the load for Utah. Williams had 33 points and 14 assists in 114-111 upset in Denver and Boozer added 20 points and 15 rebounds as the injury-riddled Jazz tied the series.
“D-Will and Booze, they had their way,” said Nuggets point guard Chauncey Billups noted after the contest.
The action moves to Salt Lake City were the Jazz are 32-9 and 26-13-2 ATS, winning by 9.5 points per game. That places the onus on Denver and they are 29-12 ATS after consecutive tilts as a home favorite over the last two seasons.
“We missed some easy shots, some lay-ups and we kind of felt it at the end. But we know what we have to do. We’ll get one over there. It’s playoff basketball.” Johan Petro said.
Denver will have turn up defensive intensity, since it has been on low wattage, with Utah shooting 54.7 and 52.9 percent in initial two contests of the first round. It will be up to interim coach Adrian Dantley to convince his players to work as harder on the other end of the floor and they are 13-3 ATS after allowing 105 points or more three straight games.
The Jazz are a 2.5-point pick before what should be a roaring crowd and Utah is 8-1 ATS after two straight as an underdog this season. With the way this series is being played the listed total of 215.5 seems like forgone conclusion, however the Nuggets are is 8-0 UNDER away from home after a combined score of 215 points or more in two straight skirmishes and coach Jerry Sloan’s club is 15-4 UNDER in home whites after scoring 110 points or more.
NBA: Top NBA Weekend Power Trends 1/1-1/32010-01-04The NBA rings in the New Year with three Friday games, 12 Saturday games, and five Sunday games to make up the first full weekend of 2010. Things are starting to sort themselves out as expected in the league, with the projected frontrunners assuming their positions. The Lakers have control in the Western Conference and will be hosting two games this weekend, while in the East, Cleveland, Boston, and Orlando are all within striking distance of one another for the conference’s top spot. Each of those clubs play over the next three days with the Cavs & Magic in action twice. Read on as we take a look at the top games plus reveal this weekend’s Top StatFox Power Trends for you to consider in your wagering.
On Friday, there are just three games, with Atlanta hosting New York, Orlando visiting Minnesota, and the Lakers closing out the calendar year by welcoming the Kings to L.A. The Hawks remain the league’s best spread covering team at over 70%, 22-9 ATS. They come off a disappointing loss in Cleveland in a game that went under protest due to a late shot clock problem on a key possession for them. The Knicks have been horrible against Southeast Division teams this year, going 2-7 SU & 1-8 ATS. The Magic will be in the first of a back-to-back road scenario and haven’t been out of the state of Florida since December 11th. Minnesota of course, is one of the worst home dogs in the NBA typically, but does boast an 8-7 ATS record in that scenario in ’09. The game in Los Angeles on Friday night will be the 2nd of four straight home contests for the Lakers, as they host the Kings. Sacramento nearly turned back L.A. a couple of weeks ago at home, falling in OT. They have been much better at home than on the road though, going 3-11 in their first 14 away.
The Saturday lineup is the biggest of the weekend but there isn’t a whole lot of compelling action where playoff contenders are concerned. In fact, there figures to be large number of heavy pointspreads on the wagering card. None of those will be bigger than Cleveland at New Jersey. The Cavs have won 11 of their L12 games to take control of the Central Division. The Nets just won their third game of the entire campaign on Wednesday vs. New York. Cleveland boasts an impressive 13-6 SU & ATS mark on the road. Elsewhere, the Magic play their second road game in as many days when they take on the floundering Bulls in Chicago. The East’s top team Boston will be playing host to Toronto, as the Celtics return home for the first time following an unsuccessful West Coast road trip minus Paul Pierce. Finally, the lone game matching quality foes comes from Utah, where the Nuggets and Jazz will square off.
On Sunday, the five NBA games are all evening affairs. San Antonio will visit Toronto for the only time this season, while Philly will be doing the same thing in Denver. The best matchup pits Dallas and the Lakers however. Though separated by 3-games in the standings at presstime, these were the top two clubs in the Western Conference. These teams have played a very competitive series in L.A. over the last three seasons, with the Lakers holding a 4-1 SU edge but Dallas having swept the five games against the spread. The Mavericks have been very effective on the road in the early going this season overall.
Here are those Top StatFox Power Trends you’ve been waiting for. Best wishes for the New Year’s holiday!
Friday, 1/1/2010
(701) NEW YORK vs. (702) ATLANTA
NEW YORK is 18-5 ATS (+12.5 Units) in road games vs. good offensive teams scoring 99+ PPG over the L2 seasons. The average score was NEW YORK 107.3, OPPONENT 111 - (Rating = 2*)
(703) ORLANDO vs. (704) MINNESOTA
ORLANDO is 15-3 ATS (+11.7 Units) when playing against a terrible team (Win Pct. <=25%) over the last 2 seasons. The average score was ORLANDO 106.6, OPPONENT 92.3 - (Rating = 2*)
(705) SACRAMENTO vs. (706) LA LAKERS
SACRAMENTO is 10-1 OVER (+8.9 Units) vs. very good teams outscoring opponents by 6+ PPG over the L2 seasons. The average score was SACRAMENTO 103.3, OPPONENT 116.2 - (Rating = 1*)
Saturday, 1/2/2010
(511) HOUSTON vs. (512) NEW ORLEANS
NEW ORLEANS is 1-10 ATS (-10 Units) vs. poor defensive teams - shooting pct defense of >=46% this season. The average score was NEW ORLEANS 100.5, OPPONENT 106.3 - (Rating = 2*)
(517) DENVER vs. (518) UTAH
UTAH is 25-9 ATS (+15.1 Units) in home games vs. good teams outscoring opponents by 3+ PPG over the L3 seasons. The average score was UTAH 104.6, OPPONENT 95.4 - (Rating = 2*)
(519) MEMPHIS vs. (520) PHOENIX
MEMPHIS was 1-13 ATS (-13.3 Units) in January games over last season. The average score was MEMPHIS 88.9, OPPONENT 99.8 - (Rating = 3*)
(521) GOLDEN STATE vs. (522) PORTLAND
PORTLAND is 37-13 UNDER (+22.7 Units) vs. terrible defensive teams - allowing 103+ PPG over the last 3 seasons. The average score was PORTLAND 99, OPPONENT 94.8 - (Rating = 3*)
Sunday, 1/3/2010
(703) SAN ANTONIO vs. (704) TORONTO
TORONTO is 1-11 ATS (-11.1 Units) vs. very good shooting teams making >=48% of their shots over the L3 seasons. The average score was TORONTO 98.5, OPPONENT 112.2 - (Rating = 2*)
(705) CHARLOTTE vs. (706) CLEVELAND
CLEVELAND is 15-2 UNDER (+12.8 Units) on Sunday games over the last 2 seasons. The average score was CLEVELAND 95.9, OPPONENT 86.4 - (Rating = 3*)
(707) PHILADELPHIA vs. (708) DENVER
DENVER is 20-9 ATS (+10.1 Units) in home games vs. poor defensive teams allowing 99+ PPG over the last 2 seasons. The average score was DENVER 116.7, OPPONENT 102.9 - (Rating = 1*)
NBA: Significant Eastern Confrontation in Orlando (8:00 PM ET, ESPN)2009-03-25The time has arrived and its crunch time for Boston. Not in the manner the defending kings of the NBA has envisioned, competing for the best record in the NBA, which helped them win the title last season. This is different, playing for the second seed in the Eastern Conference, since they have about as much a chance of catching front-running Cleveland as Rush Limbaugh doing a live interview on MSNBC. Orlando is the host and the 3.5-point favorite and ESPN is where you’ll find this showdown on your TV dial.
The Celtics and Orlando have 18 defeats, thou the Magic have played two fewer games, which could work to Boston advantage should they lose. The Celtics are attempting to reinsert Kevin Garnett back into the starting line-up at his regular minutes. Though Garnett has yet to play 20 minutes in a game since returning, the Celtics have won all three games (2-1 ATS) upon his return after producing 7-6 and miserable 3-10 ATS record while he was away.
"We have such a great chemistry when our starting five is out there," Celtics forward Paul Pierce said after defeating the Clippers 90-77 Monday. "We don't like him on the bench. We like him on the floor."
Though coach Doc Rivers squad is 38-23 ATS in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 2007, injuries have robbed them of depth and useful minutes off the bench. Workhorse Leon Powe is out with a knee strain. Tony Allen hasn't played since Feb. 11 after injuring his left thumb and his exact return is in doubt for the remainder of the regular season. Rajon Rondo, Glen Davis and Brian Scalabrine have all spent time in the trainer’s room of late.
Being able to muster the courage and resolve against an equally beat-up San Antonio team last week for a win, showed what this team’s soul is made of, however taking on a young and up and coming team seeking to dethrone the king is another adventure. Orlando is 27-7 and 20-14 ATS at the Amway Arena and knows this is big.
"There is a lot on the line," said Magic point guard Rafer Alston. "We'd better be prepared for battle."
The Magic understand the road to NBA Finals still goes thru Boston. Being this late in the season, the results are magnified and Orlando is in a mild scheduling disadvantage. After tonight, the Magic have to play five of last 11 contests on the road, which hasn’t been a conundrum having the second best road record at 25-11 (25-11 ATS). Why Stan Van Gundy’s team can’t let opportunity slip away is only three of the Celtics remaining nine contests are away from TD BankNorth Garden.
Two games against New York hardly prepares a team for a defensive struggle, yet that is what is in store for the Magic. Orlando has to be ready for possession by possession basketball and is 16-3 ATS versus good shooting teams making 46 or more percent of their shots this season.
The oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com have the Magic as 3.5-point favorites, with the drifting to 191. Orlando is 15-5 ATS after a combined score of 205 points or more for two straight games and 9-1 UNDER breaking the century mark in points scored three consecutive contests. Boston does get to play the underdog role often and is 12-3 ATS as a pooch of 3.5 to 9.5 points. The Celtics are 10-1 UNDER in road games off a home win by 10 points or more this season.
ESPN will broadcast this influential affair starting at 8 Eastern, with Orlando having won four of last five at home, with three covers.
StatFox Power Line – Orlando by 6
NBA: Betting the Lakers as Underdogs2009-01-14The San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers have ruled the Western Conference for most of the last decade, combining for nine of the last 10 conference titles and seven league championships in that span. The way both are playing to start 2009, it wouldn’t be surprising to see that trend continue this spring. Their season series will begin on Wednesday in San Antonio, as the teams meet for the first time since Los Angeles quickly ousted the Spurs in last season’s conference finals.
Los Angeles (31-6, 17-20 ATS) came within two games of its fourth NBA title of the decade last season, but lost to Boston in the finals. Over the past 10 seasons, they remain one championship shy of San Antonio’s four league titles since 1999.
Last May’s series marked the sixth playoff meeting in the last decade for these clubs, which again appear to be the class of the West. Coach Phil Jackson’s Lakers have emerged as the team to beat after eliminating the Spurs 4-1 last season and charging to a 31-6 start to 2008-09.
“They’re the best team in the West, maybe the best team in the league, and that says it all,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. “They’ve done a great job at both ends of the court, and they knocked us out of the playoffs last year, so we know as much or more than anybody how good they are.”
The Lakers have won four straight games and 10 of their last 11, averaging 108.5 points over that span - more than 30 of them per game from Kobe Bryant. Bryant had 33 in Los Angeles’ 105-100 win at Houston on Tuesday. Although he made just 13 of his season-high 32 shot attempts, the reigning NBA MVP scored 13 points in the fourth quarter including a key 3-pointer with 27 seconds to play. “My shots felt good, they just weren’t going in for me,” Bryant said. “Once the fourth quarter came around, I had to focus even more to try to put the ball in the hole.”
Where NBA bettors have to be careful is when the Lakers become too offensive-minded. They are 1-4 ATS in last five games, allowing 109.2 points per game. L.A. is 3-8 ATS in last 11 contests after opponent punctured the century mark in points scored.
The Spurs (24-12, 17-18-1 ATS) faltered in the final quarter of their most recent game, giving up 31 points en route to a 105-98 home loss to Orlando on Sunday. Tony Parker’s 31 total points weren’t enough for San Antonio, which had won nine of its last 10 games (5-4-1 ATS).
Manu Ginobili, who missed time early this season with an ankle injury, continues to struggle to get untracked. He’s shooting a career-worst 33.3 percent from 3-point range and averaging 14.5 points - five fewer than last season. “I am still not feeling like myself last season at this point,” said Ginobili, who played through injury in the postseason and was held to 10 or fewer points in four of the five games against the Lakers.
“I am physically pretty good. Nothing is hurting,” Ginobili added. “It’s just a bit of probably mental and other confidence.” They will need his confidence and are fairly rested, which could work to the Spurs benefit with 29-10 ATS record in home games when playing six or less games in 14 days.
The Spurs may lean on Tim Duncan, who has averaged 23.0 points and 12.8 rebounds in 68 career games against Los Angeles including playoffs. They are 18-6 ATS in home games versus up-tempo teams averaging 83 or more shots a game.
Sportsbook.com has San Antonio as 2.5-point favorites with posted total of 199.5. The Lakers are 13-7 ATS as road underdogs of three or less points and are perfect 5-0 against the spread on the road where the total is between 190 and 199.5 points. Nine of the last 11 meetings between these Western Conference combatants have played Under the total. The Lakers are 29-12 UNDER off a road win and the Spurs are 16-5 UNDER after allowing 105 points or more.
The home team won all four games (3-1 ATS) in the 2007-08 regular-season series. “It tells you where you stand,” Ginobili said of facing the Lakers. “… It makes you see the mistakes you made, how far you are from them and stuff like that. I wish we played them 10 times (per season).”
This is part of ESPN’s regular Wednesday night NBA package which will start just after 9 Eastern. Don’t be concerned about Los Angeles playing last night either, they are 16-6 ATS in the second of back-to-back games.
StatFox Power Line – San Antonio by 4
