Orlando Magic 2010 Preview & Predictions

Orlando Magic 2010 Season Preview, Predictions Picks & Odds

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Orlando Magic 2009-2010 NBA Record: 59-23, 1st in Southeast Division

Orlando Magic Betting Trends & Betting Angles:
• 11-1 SU past 12 games vs Charlotte
• 7-1 SU, 6-1-1 ATS past 8 at home to Heat
• 7-1 ATS past 8 trips to Washington
• 5-1 ATS past 6 trips to Charlotte
• 6-1 SU & ATS past 7 trips to Atlanta
• 16-4 SU past 20 at home to Hawks
• 13-4 ATS past 17 games as fave of 8+ pts

Orlando Magic 2010 Preview & Prediction

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” The Magic might be crazy that way, but they’re also crazy-good at what they do. Whether they’re good enough to navigate the radically rockier landscape of their division and finally secure their maiden NBA championship is the question. Relative to what the Miami Heat accomplished in the offseason, the cap-challenged Orlando front office was suspended in space-time. To GM Otis Smith’s credit, he has a plan and he’s sticking to it: Flood the gym with smart, unselfish marksmen who will execute a system in which they orbit around a supergiant star in Dwight Howard, and thereby inside-out opponents into submission. The plan has worked well enough to accrue the fourth most regular-season wins in the NBA since 2007-08 – but not well enough to cope with the superior physicality of the last two clubs (the Lakers and Celtics) to eliminate his team from the playoffs. Now the Magic find themselves with essentially the same roster and the same strategic blueprint in a Southeast Division where three of the league’s 10 best players have congregated on the same team. And it doesn’t take an Einstein to figure out that that presents a quantum problem.

Orlando Magic Coach: Stan Van Gundy (4th season)

Orlando Magic Projected Starters: PG Jameer Nelson, SG Vince Carter, SF Mickael Pietrus, PF Rashard Lewis, C Dwight Howard.

Orlando Magic Key Additions: G Quentin Richardson, G Chris Duhon.

Orlando Magic Key Losses: F Matt Barnes.

2010 Orlando Magic Point Guards:

Jameer Nelson spent the summer listening to the Magic’s desire to land point guard Chris Paul from New Orleans, which is sure to be on his mind when training camp opens. Nelson became an All-Star two seasons ago before sustaining a serious shoulder injury, and he has had trouble staying healthy throughout his career. His state of mind will be key if the Magic begin the season with him back as the starter last year in New York, to be Nelson’s backup. Duhon struggled in with the Knicks, but he should be an improvement over Jason Williams if Nelson goes down again for an extended period. While some of his teammates struggled in the final series against Boston, Nelson held his own against Rajon Rondo, who was getting all the acclaim for a couple of big games. Nelson, if he is healthy, should be fine with another year of experience running this team, learning when Vince Carter, Rashard Lewis, and, most importantly, Howard need the ball. He also has learned how to get his share of points within that system.

2010 Orlando Magic Off Guards:

Vince Carter was thrilled to join the Magic last season, playing so close to where he grew up, but he didn’t play especially well, raising questions about how much he has left at age 35. This is the final guaranteed year of his contract, which means it could be his final year with the Magic, especially with the team so deep into the luxury tax territory. The Magic made it clear they are grooming a successor in J.J. Redick when they matched the offer sheet given to him by the Chicago Bulls paying him $7.5 million. Redick will back up Carter again. Carter was streaky last season, playing poorly for weeks at a time, then responded with much-better stretches. Redick may be getting half the playing time at the position next season, especially with Carter’s skills declining. Redick, one of the league’s better shooters, moves the ball better than Carter, which makes him popular with the other offensive-minded players in the lineup.

2010 Orlando Magic Small Forwards:

This is where the biggest change will come this season. The Magic signed free agent Quentin Richardson from Miami to replace Matt Barnes, last season’s starter. Although Richardson doesn’t have the defensive reputation of Barnes, he should be more of an offensive threat, which is important with the declining production of shooting guard Vince Carter. Richardson also can hit the three-point shot, which has become almost a requirement to play in this offense. Mickael Pietrus returns as a veteran backup who still hopes to contend for a starting role. Pietrus shot 38 percent from three point range, but he often settled for jumpers instead of driving to the basket and forcing defenses to react. Rashard Lewis will see more time here.

2010 Orlando Magic Power Forwards:

Lewis clearly is the starter again, but he will spend more time this season at small forward, also, making room at the position for power players Brandon Bass and Marcin Gortat. Lewis was disappointing in the playoff series against Boston, when he was shut down by Kevin Garnett. Although he is one of the league’s most prolific three-point shooters, his lack of rebounding and post defense cost the Magic in the playoffs. More than anyone, Lewis had a drop in production last season, averaging only 14.1 points, lowest since his rookie season. He never got comfortable with a lesser role in the offense, as he made room for Vince Carter. Bass was the forgotten man last season, playing in only 50 games and averaging 13 minutes. He expects either a bigger role this season or a trade to another team that needs a power player. Ryan Anderson, who has a playing style like Lewis, may be the one who gets left out this season if Bass plays.

2010 Orlando Magic Centers:

This still is the strength of the team with Dwight Howard, the two-time Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-NBA player. Although his defense never was better, Howard dropped off offensively last season, when his scoring average dipped to 18.3 points, giving up shots to get Vince Carter involved. He expects to get back to 20 points per game this season as he becomes more assertive in the offense. This might be the season he starts using that short jumper he has worked on in the last couple summers. The Magic also have a better-than-average backup center in Marcin Gortat, but his playing time will be limited behind Howard. He could be traded before the deadline if the Magic need help elsewhere on the roster.

Orlando Magic 2010 Season Predictions

We predict that the Orlando Magic will finish 2nd in the NBA Southeast Division .

Orlando Magic Betting

Orlando Magic NBA Championship Odds: +1000
Orlando Magic Eastern Conference Odds: +350

Orlando Magic 2009-2010 Betting Stats

Orlando Magic Straight Up: 59-23
Orlando Magic ATS: 45-33-4
Orlando Magic Home ATS: 23-16-2
Orlando Magic Away ATS: 22-17-2
Orlando Magic Record As Favorite: 55-17
Orlando Magic Record As Dog: 3-6
Orlando Magic Over/Under: 34-47-1

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