It’s all on the line for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic with a tense Game 7 set to decide this rollercoaster series.
My Magic vs. Cavaliers predictions consider Cleveland's homecourt advantage after the home team has come away victorious in each of the first six games.
But the Magic looked like the more balanced team on Friday, with Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs combining for 75 points in Game 6 to trump Donovan Mitchell’s 50-point explosion.
With the Boston Celtics awaiting the winner in the next round, I make my NBA picks for this May 5 showdown below.
Magic vs Cavaliers predictions
My best bet
Darius Garland Over 24.5 points + assists (+100 at FanDuel)
Best odds available in your region
My analysis
This has been a long, tough series for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who would surely have expected an easier ride against an Orlando Magic team with so little postseason experience.
The pressure hits a whole new level this afternoon. Still, Cleveland will rise to the occasion, partly because Darius Garland has quietly rediscovered his mojo in the last two contests after an alarmingly poor outing in Game 3 and some generally underwhelming moments through the first four games.
Donovan Mitchell’s stat line was understandably the main Cleveland talking point on Friday, but Garland was a steady sidekick with 21 points and five assists.
At Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Game 5, he went 9-for-16 from the field for 23 points and five dimes. For all the spotlight on Garland's inconsistency, the Cavs point guard has averaged almost six assists per game in this series, and his minutes have spiked in the last two contests.
Mitchell can’t do it alone, and I’m counting on Garland to be the reliable second option — as a scorer and playmaker — that Cleveland will need to squeeze into the next round.
Magic vs Cavaliers same-game parlay (SGP)
Darius Garland Over 24.5 pts+asts
Cavaliers -3
Wendell Carter Jr. Over 7.5 rebounds
The Magic almost served up a perfect script for a road win in Game 5, pairing terrific defense with a 39-point clinic from Banchero. But I’m sticking with the Cavs in this do-or-die battle where playoff experience should be even more pivotal.
While Game 5 came down to the final possession, Cleveland controlled the first two games on its home floor, and Mitchell is coming off an electric performance on Friday. Jarrett Allen’s potential return would also boost the hosts after losing the rebounding battle 48-38 in Game 6, and I’m laying the points with the Cavs.
Wendell Carter Jr. has stepped up his production on the boards in the last few games, grabbing nine rebounds on Friday and 11 in Game 5. I see Carter being busy again in what’s likely to be a low-scoring rockfight with plenty of misses to vacuum up — and the Magic’s ability to generate second-chance points should be a big part of the game plan.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Magic vs Cavaliers odds
Magic vs Cavaliers live odds
Get the latest Magic vs Cavaliers NBA playoff odds for Game 7.
Magic vs Cavaliers opening odds
- Spread: Orlando +3.5 (-110) | Cleveland -3.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Orlando +140 | Cleveland -165
- Over/Under: Over 195.5 (-110) | Under 195.5 (-110)
Magic vs Cavaliers spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Magic have been ATS darlings all year, with a 55-33 mark against the spread, but they’re just 18-26 overall on the road.
- The line has mostly held steady since opening at 3.5, but you can find the Cavs -3 at some sportsbooks.
- Heading into Game 7, the Under is 4-2 across the first six contests and today’s O/U line of 194.5 is the lowest of the series.
- As low as that total seems, I still like the Under and I see this afternoon’s battle resembling Games 1 and 2, where neither team cracked 100 points and the totals fell short of 190.
Magic vs Cavaliers trend
The Cavs have cashed in the first-half moneyline in 51 of their last 80 games. Find more NBA betting trends for Magic vs. Cavaliers.
Magic vs Cavaliers game info
| Location: | Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH |
| Date: | Sunday, 5-5-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 1:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ABC |
Magic vs Cavaliers latest injuries
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