Cavaliers vs. Magic: 3 Best Bets
The Orlando Magic is preparing to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight, one of the hottest teams in the league. Cleveland is riding a seven-game winning streak, but six of those games were at home.
Orlando has been struggling recently, going 4-6 over the last ten games. During that stretch, the Magic is 2-2 at home, so hosting the Cavaliers should give Orlando a bit of a boost, as the hometown crowd has been helpful.
Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4).
Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland is riding their win streak without Evan Mobley or Darius Garland, who remains out for tonight’s game. They are joined by Ty Jerome (out) and Caris LeVert (questionable) on the injury report. Orlando will be without Gary Harris. Cole Anthony is questionable.
As the Magic gears up for their last game before they hit the road again, take a look at our three best bets, powered by the lines at SI Sportsbook.
The Lines
Point spread: Cavaliers -1.5 (-110)/Magic -1.5 (-110)
Money line: Cavaliers (-133)/Magic (+105)
Over/under: 215.5
Our Picks
Defense pick: UNDER 215.5 points (-110)
Both teams are among the best in the league in defense. Despite not having Evan Mobley for the last 18 games, Cleveland is second in the league, allowing only 110 points per game. Orlando is not far behind, allowing the sixth-fewest points, 110.8 per game. On average, these teams should score 220.8 points, right? Wrong! Both teams have poor offenses. Cleveland scores only 113.7 points, and the Magic only post 111.7 points. The combination of two bad offenses going up against two bad defenses should tell you all you need to know: this will be a low-scoring affair.
Opponent pick: Donovan Mitchell UNDER 30.5 points (-118)
Over the last five games, Mitchell has scored an average of 29 points. Going up against Jalen Suggs, one of the best defensive players in the league, will certainly keep him under average. He is shooting well below 30 percent from three, and his inefficiency over the recent stretch should knock his confidence on the road.
Team pick: Magic to win (+105)
With Franz Wagner and Jonathan Isaac back in the lineup, the Magic can outrun Cleveland on both sides of the ball. While it’s true that Cleveland has been hot as of late, the Magic have been able to defend their home court rather well, and Cleveland’s injuries should get the best of them, putting Orlando over the top.
