The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Orlando Magic in seven games in the opening round of the 2024 playoffs, and Orlando will look to avenge that series loss with a win at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse tonight. But with Paolo Banchero sidelined and Franz Wagner ill, Orlando will face an uphill battle in this one.
Cleveland has played stellar basketball this season, and my Magic vs. Cavaliers predictions expect the home team to keep rolling against a shorthanded Orlando squad. Read my NBA picks to see why you should lay the points with Cleveland.
Magic vs Cavaliers prediction
My best bet
Cavaliers -8 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
Paolo Banchero got off to a blistering start for the Orlando Magic in Year 3, averaging 29 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.6 assists through four games. He went off for a historic 51-point eruption in Orlando’s OT win against the Indiana Pacers earlier in the week. Unfortunately for Orlando, Banchero and his magical play will be unavailable for at least the next 4-6 weeks.
Banchero comfortably leads the Magic in scoring and assists and ranks second in rebounding. To say his absence will be felt is a massive understatement.
Meanwhile, emerging Magic star Franz Wagner is dealing with an illness that may keep him sidelined for this one as well. Wagner is averaging 17.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. Without Banchero and potentially without Wagner, Orlando will have trouble generating offense.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are arguably the most complete team in basketball through the first two weeks of the season, ranking second in points per game scored and fifth in points allowed. The Cavs are outscoring opponents by 18.8 points per game, and Cleveland is the only undefeated team in the Eastern Conference.
The Cavs’ stifling defense would have given a fully healthy Magic team fits, but without Banchero, this one could get ugly quickly. I’m backing Cleveland to take care of business at home and cover the spread at -8.
I’m willing to bet this one up to Cavs -10.5, and the line will likely move in favor of Cleveland if Wagner is ruled out.
Magic vs Cavaliers same-game parlay
Cavaliers -8
Darius Garland Over 6.5 assists
Donovan Mitchell Over 2.5 made threes
Cleveland’s floor general Darius Garland leads the team in assists this season with six per tilt, but I’m confident he can best his average tonight and hit the Over on this line.
Garland has handed out six or more assists in three of five games and hit the Over on this line once. The Cavs’ offense is as well-rounded as they come, with six players averaging 10 or more points and four averaging 17 or better.
It’s tough to predict who will have the hot hand tonight, but one thing’s for sure — someone’s got to facilitate. I’m backing the Cavs to win convincingly tonight with their offense humming, so I’ll take Garland in a favorable spot as he gets teammates involved early and often.
The Magic have allowed opponents to shoot the fifth-highest 3-point percentage this season, and Donovan Mitchell has a tremendous opportunity to hit Over 2.5 threes in this one. He’s averaging 3.2 triples per game this season and has knocked down at least three treys in three straight outings.
Since arriving in Cleveland, he’s hit the Over on this one in 89 of 128 games, good for 69.5%. The odds on this one as a standalone prop are too short to back as a straight bet, but including this one as the final leg of our parlay is a no-brainer.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Magic vs Cavaliers odds
Magic vs Cavaliers live odds
Magic vs Cavaliers opening odds
- Spread: Orlando +8 | Cleveland -8
- Moneyline: Orlando +265 | Cleveland -330
- Over/Under: Over 217.5 | Under 217.5
Odds courtesy of bet365
Magic vs Cavaliers spread and Over/Under analysis
- Orlando has won three of its first five games, but the team has covered in just two of them.
- Cleveland has won five in a row to open the season, and the Cavs are a perfect 5-0 ATS.
- The Magic rank 18th in points per game (112.2) but have hit the Over in four of five games.
- The Cavaliers sport the NBA’s second highest-scoring offense at 125.6 points per game, and Cleveland has hit the Over in three of five.
Magic vs Cavaliers trend
These two teams faced off in the first round of the 2024 Eastern Conference playoffs, and Cleveland won in seven games. The home team won each game of the series and went 6-1 ATS. Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. Cavaliers.
How to watch Magic vs Cavaliers
| Location: | Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH |
| Date: | Friday, 11-1-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN |
Magic vs Cavaliers latest injuries
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