Orlando at Boston

The Magic and Celtics have exchanged blows through four games in what is turning out to be another very good series. Tonight they return to Boston, in what is now a best of three series. The tone of this game should remain intense and defensively-focused. That's been Boston's calling card over the last two years. Without KG in the lineup, this team is definitely giving up more points but they are tending to come in the second half when they are more worn down. We've been cashing with first-half UNDERs throughout the playoffs (12-3 on our 1HU picks so far) and this series has held form for us thus far. It has taken on a defensive mindset in the first half. Although the OVERs and UNDERs have split the game totals through four games, three of the four have produced 94 points or less in the first half. I expect more of the same with the defense cranked up early, with each team trying to break the will of the other. I think Orlando will also work the shot clock much more efficiently in this one as they jacked up 27 three pointers in game four, and simply were impatient on offense (but we still got the 1HU). Boston, despite shooting 53% in game four, only managed 95 points for the game. Orlando playoff games are averaging 93 first-half points. This season they are 25-15 UNDER in the first-half vs. a winning opponent and 12-3 UNDER when seeking revenge. Boston is 40-26 UNDER in the first-half this season following a win and 29-19 UNDER aftrer an ATS win. They are also 31-3 UNDER in the first-half this season when facing a team that averages 100+ ppg. I'll play this one UNDER in the first-half.