Advertisement

Magic, Hornets surprise but especially on road

Share
Times Staff Writer

For NBA bettors, Orlando and New Orleans -- two of the league’s most surprising teams -- have been solid money on the road this season.

The Magic, 29-18 overall and 17-10 away from home, has an impressive 19-8 road record against the spread. The Hornets, 32-13 overall and 16-5 on the road, are 15-5-1 against the spread in games not played in New Orleans.

Both trends will be in play tonight when Orlando plays at Philadelphia, and New Orleans travels to Sacramento.

Advertisement

The Magic are 7-1 against the spread in their last eight road games against a team with a losing home record.

The Hornets are 8-0 against the spread in their last eight road games, which includes difficult covers at San Antonio, Houston, Phoenix and Golden State.

--

Supporters of the Lakers, who will play the second of back-to-back games tonight at Toronto, should know they have been a strong bet with zero days’ rest.

The last five times that the Lakers have played consecutive games, they are 4-1 against the spread in the second game.

Toronto is 6-0 against the spread in its last six home games. But it should be noted that the Raptors are 1-8 against the spread in their last nine home games against teams with winning road records.

Pro football

Betting action for Sunday’s Super Bowl continues to grow and bettors looking for an edge often turn to trends for guidance.

Advertisement

However, that’s when things get tricky because people can look at history to support bets for both New England and the New York Giants.

For example, the Patriots have played in five Super Bowls and have covered the point spread only once.

The Patriots were seven-point favorites in their last two Super Bowls against Carolina and Philadelphia. They won both games by three points and failed to cover.

But New England’s high-scoring offense, which averaged 35.6 points during the regular season, can also lead to a positive trend.

Teams that score more than 27 points in the Super Bowl are 22-2-1 against the spread. The Patriots have scored at least 27 points in seven of their last nine games, including a 38-35 victory over the Giants on Dec. 29.

It’s easier to find all kinds of trends that back up New York’s chances to cover.

The last five times an NFC East team has played an AFC East opponent in the Super Bowl, the NFC team is 5-0 against the spread and 4-1 straight up.

Advertisement

Then there are two trends that work in favor of the Giants, listed as 12-point underdogs. New York is 5-0 against the spread in its last five games against teams with a winning record, and the Patriots are 0-5 against the spread in their last five games overall.

--

lonnie.white@latimes.com

Advertisement