Another playoff collapse would be an utter nightmare for the Cleveland Cavaliers, so the pressure is on Donovan Mitchell & Co. as their battle with the Orlando Magic tips off today.
Though the Cavs finished with a steady 48-34 record through heavy injuries this year, they’ll only be judged on what they do in April and May. Meanwhile, the Magic are in the playoffs for the first time since 2020, and they’re underdogs here for Game 1 (and the series overall) in the latest NBA odds.
Check out my free Magic vs. Cavaliers predictions and NBA picks for this April 20 showdown.
Magic vs Cavaliers predictions
My best bet
Paolo Banchero Over 21.5 points (-120 at DraftKings)
Best odds available in your region
My analysis
Don’t sleep on the Magic or peg them as a young team just happy to be in the postseason. Orlando makes up for a shaky offense with relentless defensive effort and has plenty in common with the New York Knicks team that eliminated the Cavaliers in emphatic fashion last year.
But, in spite of all that, it’s tough to see the Magic stealing Game 1 without a monster outing from Paolo Banchero — and I see Orlando’s top scorer putting on a show in his playoff debut.
Banchero torched the Cavs for 42 points earlier this season, and he’s averaged 24 points so far in April. That spells trouble for a Cleveland team still toggling between a Jarrett Allen-Evan Mobley double-big starting group and smaller line-ups.
He’s gone past this number in five of his last seven games, including a 26-point effort to see off the Milwaukee Bucks in the season finale.
The volume will be there for Banchero, even if the playoff pace turns this series into a rockfight. He’s had 19 or more field goal attempts five times this month — and 24 or more in three of those.
Banchero has embraced the spotlight all year for Orlando and I’m betting on him to shine this afternoon.
Magic vs Cavaliers same-game parlay (SGP)
Paolo Banchero Over 22.5 points
Magic +5
Donovan Mitchell Over 3.5 3-pointers
The Magic are a tasty underdog today, with their smothering defense set to test the Cavs’ resolve under intense playoff scrutiny.
They won the most recent meeting in Cleveland (admittedly against a Mitchell-less Cavs team) and, if Franz Wagner can deliver alongside Banchero, the visitors could make some early noise. I’m happy taking the points for my SGP.
Donovan Mitchell’s future in Cleveland is uncertain but he has some stunning playoff performances on his resume, and the hosts should be able to count on big numbers from their star man.
But with Jalen Suggs and Jonathan Isaac pestering him on the perimeter and taking away driving lanes, Mitchell may have to settle for a few extra 3-pointers today.
He shot 37% from deep during the regular season and he’s knocked down nine triples across his past two outings. I like his chances of adding four or more here.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Magic vs Cavaliers odds
Magic vs Cavaliers live odds
Magic vs Cavaliers opening odds
- Spread: Orlando +4.0 (+110) | Cleveland -4.0 (-110)
- Moneyline: Orlando +150 | Cleveland -180
- Over/Under: Over 207.5 (-110) | Under 207.5 (-110)
Magic vs Cavaliers spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Cavs enter as 5-point favorites, in part because they went 26-15 at home this season, but also due to the Magic’s lack of playoff experience.
- But that undersells this feisty Orlando roster, and the teams split their season series 2-2. It’s also worth noting that the hosts are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games and are 13-18 overall in their past 31 contests after a patchy run since the All-Star break.
- Just don’t expect a shootout here. The Under was 37-45 for the Magic this season, and Orlando's offense ranked 24th in the league with 110.5 ppg.
- Though the Cavs have hit the Over in 13 of their last 17 games at RocketMortgage Fieldhouse, I see this turning into a defense-first scrap.
Magic vs Cavaliers trend
The Magic have hit the first half Under in 39 of their past 61 outings. Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. Cavaliers.
Magic vs Cavaliers game info
| Location: | Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH |
| Date: | Saturday, 4-20-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 1:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN |
Magic vs Cavaliers latest injuries
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