Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Orlando Magic: 3 Best Bets

The Orlando Magic is looking for redemption against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who beat them by double-digits last week.

The Orlando Magic lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road last week before securing a win against the lowly Detroit Pistons, returning to their winning ways. Tonight, the Magic hosts the Cavaliers, hoping for a better showing than their 2-of-23 three-point campaign from last Wednesday.

After the last matchup, Cleveland went on to beat the Miami Heat and are on a bit of a winning streak of their own, winning their last three games. Their last matchup saw Orlando totally unable to make a three-ball, but Paolo Banchero still boasted 42 points. However, it was no match for Cleveland’s backcourt of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, who combined for 61 points.

Paolo Banchero / Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Both teams have a loaded injury report. The Magic will be without Wendell Carter Jr., Markelle Fultz, and Kevon Harris. Jalen Suggs and Jonathan Isaac are both questionable. Cleveland will not play Ricky Rubio, but Caris LeVert, Ty Jerome, and Evan Mobley are all questionable.

Below are our best bets, courtesy of the lines at SI Sportsbook.

The Lines

Point spread: Cavaliers +1.5 (-110)/Magic -1.5 (-118)

Moneyline: Cavaliers (+105)/Magic (-133)

Over/under: 226.5

Our Picks

Safe pick: Paolo Banchero OVER 22.5 points (-133)

Hopefully, Banchero has more help than he did last time and doesn’t have to post over 40 points. It would be nice if he did, of course, but not out of necessity. He is averaging 28.3 points over his last four campaigns and is focusing more on his mid-range and interior game, to great results. The Cavaliers showed that they had no answer for him, and he should easily be able to cross this line.

Opponent pick: Jarrett Allen OVER 1.5 blocks (+140)

In the last game with the Magic, Allen failed to post a block at all. In fact, he has zero in his last three games. So why do we think he will secure the paint tonight? Well, if Mobley doesn’t play, he’ll have to if he doesn’t want the Magic to blow him and his Cavs out. He is only averaging one block per game this season, and his latest three-game stretch didn’t help, but Orlando is one of the most reluctant teams to shoot from deep, meaning Allen will have plenty of chances to meet Orlando at the rim.

Mosley Offers Advice Ahead Of Cavs Rematch

Team pick: UNDER 226.5 points (-110)

The Magic let Clevelenad score 121 points last week for a total of 232, which is out of the norm. Orlando boasts one of the best defenses in the league, and a total score with both teams hovering around 110 points apiece seems much more appropriate, given the streaky nature of Cleveland’s offense and the stopping power Orlando has, even if Jalen Suggs doesn’t play.