Paolo Banchero scored 39 points in Game 5 against the Cavaliers, causing his total to jump from 22.5 to 24.5. The extra two points we are seeing on this number for Banchero is our edge, and it's why I'm betting the Under. Banchero may have scored 39 points against the Cavaliers in Game 5, but look at how he scored the points. He knocked down four three-pointers and also hit a ton of tough jump shots in the mid-range. These aren't easy shots; it's not like he was able to drive the lane and finish easy layups at the rim or anything. Banchero doesn't have the space to operate against this Cavaliers defense, so he is relying on his jump shot. Banchero is projected to score 23.3 points on Friday against the Cavaliers.
The Orlando Magic have positional size, rim protection, and can make life very difficult for Donovan Mitchell. It's Max Strus's job to space them out with his shooting, and he accomplished that in Game 5 when he scored 16 points and drained four three-pointers on 10 attempts. The 10 attempts from three are a very encouraging sign for Strus, as he was pulling them from well beyond the arc. Strus is trying to pull the Magic defense as far away from the paint as he can, and he should be encouraged by their coaching staff to keep letting it fly from deep because it's crucial to help create space for Mitchell against this tough Magic defense. Strus is projected to score 11.4 points on Friday against the Magic.
hughjazz6969 is #1 on picking games that Cleveland is in with a record of (49-38-0) and +12000 units on the season.
Ulrichk is #10 on picking games that Orlando is in with a record of (23-13-0) and +8850 units on the season.
tonyh is #3 on picking games that Orlando is in with a record of (32-22-2) and +11960 units on the season.
CC95531 is #4 on picking games that Orlando is in with a record of (41-31-3) and +11050 units on the season.
luckysheri is #4 on picking games that Cleveland is in with a record of (39-34-2) and +10550 units on the season.
Freakwater is #5 on picking games that Cleveland is in with a record of (52-35-0) and +10450 units on the season.
SitaRam is #8 on picking games that Orlando is in with a record of (30-17-1) and +9140 units on the season.
WiNNipeg1973 is #9 on picking games that Cleveland is in with a record of (32-21-0) and +8770 units on the season.
funaki is #9 on picking games that Orlando is in with a record of (32-31-1) and +8900 units on the season.