Let’s break ‘em down!

New Orleans (27-24 SU, 24-27 ATS) at Orlando (33-17 SU, 22-23 ATS)

The Magic have been listed as 8 ½-point favorites against the Hornets and the number seems fair based on talent, but the letdown factor is in play. Orlando posted an impressive 96-89 victory against Boston on Sunday, cashing tickets as a three-point underdog. Stan Van Gundy’s team has been tough to figure out in back-to-back spots, evidenced by their 6-6 both SU and ATS record.

New Orleans has taken advantage of teams on zero days rest this year, going 3-1. However, this is a different Hornets club these days, especially without All Star Chris Paul (knee). The team has gone 2-3 both SU and ATS without their point guard, but both of the victories came on the road and as live underdogs. The club has played a looser without Paul, on both ends of the court, and it’s translated into a 4-1 ‘over’ run.

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Orlando owns a 19-5 SU and 12-11 ATS mark at home this year, while New Orleans has gone 11-16 SU and 14-13 ATS on the road. This will be the first meeting between the two teams this year. The pair split the previous six encounters and the ‘under’ has gone 5-1 during this span.

San Antonio (29-20 SU, 24-25 ATS) at L.A. Lakers (39-13 SU, 24-26 ATS)

San Antonio continues its “Rodeo Trip” on Monday and the club could be catching a break in this spot. For starters, the Spurs played in the same building on Saturday as they routed the Clippers 98-81 as 3 ½-point favorites. Now they face a Lakers team that is banged up and also playing their third game in four nights.

Kobe Bryant (ankle) is listed as ‘questionable’ and Andrew Bynum (hip) is ‘doubtful’ for Monday. The Lakers didn’t have Bryant on Saturday and the team still trounced the Trail Blazers 99-82 at the Rose Garden.

Los Angeles has been a tough out at home (24-4 SU), but gamblers have watched them go 13-13 ATS. The Spurs have only played 20 games on the road and they’re a pedestrian 10-10 SU and 9-11 ATS. Greg Popovich’s team has had trouble scoring outside of San Antonio (97 PPG) this season, which has helped the ‘under’ go 13-7.

The Spurs walloped the Lakers 105-85 on Jan. 12 as 3 ½-point home favorites in their only meeting this year. San Antonio shot a blistering 57% from the field, while the Lakers managed 44 percent. Make a note that Bynum led L.A. with 23 points and Bryant was right behind with 16 points in the loss. Seven of the previous 10 in this series have gone ‘under’ the number, including this year’s contest.

Dallas (31-19 SU, 20-30 ATS) at Golden State (13-36 SU, 27-21 ATS)

The other late-night battle on Monday happens from the Bay Area as Dallas goes head-to-head against Golden State, who is in a serious funk. Don Nelson’s team has dropped eight consecutive (3-5 ATS) games, including three in a row at Oracle Arena.

Even though the Warriors have been horrible against the number lately, gamblers should be weary of Dallas these days too. The Mavs are 3-5 SU and 1-7 ATS in their last eight games.

A large part of the success for Rick Carlisle’s team this year has been attributed to its 16-10 SU and 15-11 ATS record on the road, yet the team is just 1-3 in its last four encounters away from home. Golden State is 9-14 SU and 13-10 ATS at home this year.

The two teams have met twice this regular season, with each club earning a victory on their homcourt. Recently, Dallas captured a 110-101 home victory against Golden State last Wednesday. The Warriors covered as 12 ½-point road ‘dogs and the combined 211 points dipped ‘under’ the closing number. The ‘under’ has cashed in both meetings.

Chris David can be reached at cdavid@vegasinsider.com