76ers vs Magic odds – Philly has no answer for Superman

76ers vs Magic odds should be pretty lopsided considering the regular season each team just went through. The Magic finished 59-23 while the 76ers struggled just to get to .500 at 41-41. Both teams are young and play fairly steady defense, but the Magic have a bona fide superstar in Dwight Howard. With respect to Andre Iguodala, the 76ers lack a true go-to guy.

76ers vs Magic odds – Three-point shooting could be the difference

• WHO: 76ers vs Magic odds
• WHAT: Best-of-Seven series
• WHEN: Game 1 is Sunday, April 19 at 5:30 p.m. ET
• WHERE: Amway Arena in Orlando, FL
• KEY STAT: Magic won season series 3-0
• THE PICK: Magic in five

Closing out the NBA betting regular season, the 76ers found themselves between a rock and a hard place. Who were they better off facing in the first round – the veteran Celtics, who were 4-0 against them this season, or the youngish Magic, who were 3-0 against them this season? After eking out a win against Cleveland on the road, Philly drew the Magic in NBA playoff betting and the 76ers were verbally “happy” to face Orlando.

Think that will go over well for Superman and company? Dwight Howard, who averaged 20.6 points, 13.8 boards and 2.9 blocks in a banner season, is not the kind of guy you want to insult, especially when the 76ers don’t have an answer for him in the paint. With Elton Brand done for the season, that leaves, uh, Samuel Dalembert? Gulp.

If the 76ers somehow neutralize Howard, the Magic remain one of the NBA’s best perimeter teams. Even with Jameer Nelson on the shelf, Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu are still extremely dangerous when they get hot, so the Magic odds look very good.

Athletic forward Andre Iguodala has to pull off something magical for the 76ers odds to have any chance, but it’s hard to imagine him slashing to the bucket successfully with Howard standing in his way. And, unlike in Orlando’s case, the 76ers can’t rely on outside shooting; in fact, they were dead last in three-point shooting at 31.8 percent this season.

CRAIG’S PICK: The 76ers are a plucky team and spread out their scoring pretty well, but they’re not in the same league as the Magic. Howard can carry Orlando on his back, at least in the first round when he has no equal, and Orlando’s deadly shooting is just a cherry on top. Philly may grind out a win at home, but bet on the Magic to cruise in this sportsbook matchup.

For more 76ers vs Magic odds and other sports betting lines, check out the Betting Edge at BetOnline.com throughout the playoffs.

Craig Parsons is an avid sports fan, but his true love has always been basketball. Too short to realize his dream of playing in the NBA, he did the next best thing: sports betting and covering basketball for a living. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.