Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers basketball gambling preview
Time: 7:10 PM
Venue: Quicken Loans Arena
Sportsbook NBA online betting odds:
Magic +9 (-110) 221½ (-110) +415
Cavaliers -9 (-110) 221½ (-110) -525
Orlando
Previous result: The Magic lost the battle of Eastern Conference bottom-feeders to the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday. However, the Magic remains nine games ahead of the last-place Nets.
Key players: Elfrid Payton has led Orlando in assists in the past five games, including 15 against the Celtics on Friday and 11 against the Nets.
Recent form: The Magic has lost five of their last six games, and all signs point to their dropping a fifth straight tonight at the Q.
Cleveland
Previous result: After a bumpy March, the Cavs started April off on the right foot, though it took them two overtimes to put the Pacers away 135-130 on Sunday.
Key players: The game went into overtime and LeBron James went into overdrive, posting 41 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists against Indiana.
Recent form: The Cavs have won two in a row after three-game skid but still trail the Celtics by ½ game at the top of the East.
Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks basketball gambling preview
Time: 8:10 PM
Venue: Madison Square Garden
NBA online betting odds
Bulls -3½ (-110) 207 (-110) -160
Knicks +3½ (-110) 207 (-110) +140
Chicago
Previous result: The Bulls continued their playoff bid with a 117-110 win over the Pelicans on Sunday. When The Big Easy calls, you gotta accept the charges.
Key players: Jimmy Butler was one point shy of 40 on Sunday but nevertheless managed to score 30 or more points for the fourth time in the past seven games.
Recent form: Chicago has won the last four games straight including a crucial victory over the Cavs on Thursday.
New York
Previous result: The Knickerbockers became the Celtics’ 50th win of the season on Sunday at MSG, where the crowd was audibly pro-Boston.
Key players: Former Bull Derrick Rose will undergo a season-ending surgery to repair torn cartilage in his left knee.
Recent form: The Knicks have lost seven of their last nine games and their recent dominance of the Bulls might be nearing its end.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Oklahoma City Thunder basketball gambling preview
Time: 8:10 PM
Venue: Chesapeake Energy Arena
NBA online betting odds:
Bucks +4½ (-110) 211 (-110) +165
Thunder -4½ (-110) 211 (-110) -190
Milwaukee
Previous result: The Bucks weren’t quite able to figure the Mavericks out on Sunday and lost 105-109 at Bradley Center.
Key player: Giannis Antetokounmpo was one assists short of a triple-double, posting 31 points and 15 rebounds. The Greek playmaker has recorded double digits in points and rebounds in two consecutive games.
Recent form: The Bucks saw a three-game winning streak come to an end on Sunday and their recent record versus the Thunder does not suggest they will start another.
Oklahoma City
Previous result: The Thunder were upset by road dog Hornets 101-113 on Sunday in spite of Russell Westbrook’s 40 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Key players: The Westbeast has been on an absolute tear, posting straight triple-doubles in the last six games – including a mammoth 57-point performance against Orlando on Wednesday.
Recent form: Try as Westbrook might, though, the Thunder have lost two in a row, including a hard-fought battle with the Spurs on Friday. The time seems ripe to snap that skid, however.