Cavs series wild card
If Howard gets a technical foul in game 5 or game 6 he'll be suspended for the next game. Howard's suspension for game 6 v. Philly ended being worth about 7 points on the line. If Howard receives a T during game 5, the series price would become (approximately):
Orlando -130 Cleveland +110
That's being very conservative and parlaying the following:
Cleveland game 5 -400
Cleveland game 6 -300
Cleveland game 7 -400
In reality I think Cleveland would be bigger favorites without Howard in game 6 and at home in game 7.
Here's a nightmare scenario for Magic backers: What if Howard gets two technicals and is thrown out of game 5? Then the Cavs instantly become big favorites to win the series as Howard would miss the rest of game 5 and games 6 and 7 (assuming game 5 was at least close when Howard went out).
Orlando -130 Cleveland +110
That's being very conservative and parlaying the following:
Cleveland game 5 -400
Cleveland game 6 -300
Cleveland game 7 -400
In reality I think Cleveland would be bigger favorites without Howard in game 6 and at home in game 7.
Here's a nightmare scenario for Magic backers: What if Howard gets two technicals and is thrown out of game 5? Then the Cavs instantly become big favorites to win the series as Howard would miss the rest of game 5 and games 6 and 7 (assuming game 5 was at least close when Howard went out).