NBA Basketball Odds: Orlando Magic at New Orleans Hornets
Friday, January 27, 2012
Frank Martin
Players across the league have noted how this season's condensed schedule doesn't allow teams to dwell too long over specific wins or losses. That should bode well for the Orlando Magic, who look to bounce back from a stunning defeat as they visit the New Orleans Hornets on Friday night.
Coming off a humbling 31-point defeat in Boston earlier in the week, the Magic led by 27 at one point during Thursday's rematch, but scored just 25 second-half points on the way to an eight-point defeat. Franchise center Dwight Howard admitted the team was on cruise control after a dominant first half. "We thought it was going to be easy after the first two quarters," he said. "We can’t allow that to happen.
We’ve got to change. We have to change what we do, and guys have to know their roles and do it. That’s just the bottom line." The Hornets have had a January to forget, having lost nine straight and 13 of 14 in the month.
- Orlando Magic @ New Orleans Hornets
When: 8:00 PM ET, Friday, January 27, 2012
Where: New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana
TV: 8 p.m. ET, SUN, Cox Sports Television
The Magic have opened as 3.5-point favorites on SBG Global Sportsbook’s Live NBA Basketball Odds.
Orlando Magic (12-6): For the second week in a row, the Magic face the prospect of playing four games in five nights - and aside from their two meltdowns against Boston, they've fared well. Orlando is 4-1 against non-Celtic opponents during that stretch, including impressive victories against the Los Angeles Lakers and Indiana Pacers. The Magic don't get much of a reprieve after this latest barrage, with just one day of rest before back-to-back games against Indiana and Philadelphia.
New Orleans Hornets (3-15): With the season already a lost cause, New Orleans received more bad news this week upon learning that star shooting guard Eric Gordon for another 4-to-6 weeks with a bruised knee. Gordon, who hasn't played since the season opener, won't require surgery. "The doctors just think he needs more rest," said Hornets head coach Monty Williams. With the playoffs out of reach, the team has no plans to rush Gordon back into action.
1. New Orleans prevailed in both meetings last season and has won three straight overall.
2. Howard averages 17.6 points and 13.6 rebounds in 14 career games against the Hornets.
NBA BASKETBALL PREDICTION: Magic 97, Hornets 85
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