NBA Sunshine StateTeams in Peril

The Orlando Magic had built an 18-point lead on Philadelphia in the series opener and looked as relaxed and comfortable as riding “It’s a Small World” at nearby Disney World. Evidently, Orlando must have visions of Tomorrowland and started thinking about Game Two instead of finishing off the first four quarters. Well, quicker then the 13-story fall from the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Orlando was completely discombobulated and were upset by the 76ers 100-98 as 10-point home favorites.

Coming into the playoffs, whispers were being passed around like candy that the Magic had gone soft when they had a chance to take second seed in the East and lost four of last six games. Orlando’s collapse was virtually unforeseen since they were 48-4 this season when leading after three quarters. They also were 52-1 this season when leading with five minutes remaining and held a four point lead Sunday with that much time on the clock.

The Magic will have every reason to believe they should rebound and win next contest, since they are 13-2 ATS revenging a loss where opponent scored 100 or more points and 18-6 against the spread if the defeat was six or less points. However, history and numbers crunching are cause from concern.

Start with Orlando might win this conflict, but it is bad omen to lose opening game, as they are 0-9 in series after falling in first contest. The Sixers were able to comeback because of a combination of getting hot from long range and hapless perimeter defense by Magic players.

Philly was the worst three-point shooting team in the NBA at 31.8 percent, however, faulty coverage late in the game saw the Sixers end up draining seven of 12 for the game. As poise-less coach Stan Van Gundy was pleading with his team to cover up in transition in the fourth quarter, it was too late and the black-clad 76er’s were brimming with confidence.

Oddsmakers at Betjamaica.com are not buying what Philly did and made them 10.5-point underdogs again with total of 193.5. You can’t argue, the Sixers are 4-12 ATS when playing against club with 70 percent or higher win percentage this season and the likelihood of Andre Iguodala and his teammates making that many three’s again and holding the Magic to 5-18 beyond the arc is foolish, right?

Further north in Georgia, Miami thought they were primed for big effort against division rival Atlanta. If South Beach is the haven for beautiful people to stroll along the beach, than the Heat looked like a couple of 300-pounders in thongs the way they played.

A friend of yours truly said Dwayne Wade and Joe Johnson shouldn’t be in the same conversation talking about elite guards in the NBA, and while this may be true over the long term, it wasn’t Sunday. Atlanta showed a complete disregard for the other Heat players and attacked Wade from every angle and he turned the ball over eight times, while making just over a third (8-21) of his attempts. Johnson looked much more comfortable in converting seven of 16 shots.

Miami scored 43 points the last three quarters on the way to 64 total and looked every bit as young a team as they are. “There is an element of unknown with this group," coach Erik Spoelstra said before the game. "None of us knows what to expect."

Basketball is a team game and most post-game comments by Miami players centered on “we didn’t do this” or “we didn’t do that”, yet the fact is each player has to accept accountability for dreadful individual performances. The Pendulum Theory is custom-made for Game Two; nonetheless, the Heat is 4-13 ATS revenging a blowout loss vs opponent of 20 points or more.

It’s not wise to presume Atlanta will letdown either. The Hawks were well-schooled to switch under on screens, leaving Wade few opportunities to burst to the rim. This was followed up by boxing D-Wade into areas, leaving few passing lanes open for him to find open teammates.

"I just thought tonight our focus was there from beginning all the way to the end. The defensive schemes were right on the money," said Hawks coach Mike Woodson. "I said from day one in training camp, the Boston Celtics taught us how to play Playoff basketball last year."

Atlanta raised their record at Phillips Arena to 32-10 (24-18 ATS) and they are 8-1 ATS in home games after allowing 85 points or less this season. The Hawks are five point favorites to extend series lead to 2-0 and have won five in a row at home against Miami (3-2 ATS).

The teams from the Sunshine State better shine or vacation will start early for these two NBA squads.

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