Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Orlando Magic by 14 and 10 points, respectively, to take a commanding 2-0 series lead in this first-round series. The Cavaliers convincingly won both games, leading by double digits for the majority of both games.
My NBA picks weigh tonight's change of scenery with Game 3 in Orlando to see if home really is where the heart is.
Find out where I land in my free Cavaliers vs. Magic predictions on Thursday, April 25th.
Cavaliers vs Magic predictions
My best bet
Magic -2 (-110 at Caesars)
My analysis
The Orlando Magic will not win this series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, that doesn't mean they can't steal a game, and Game 3 is where they will accomplish this.
In the first two games, the Magic went 17-for-72 (23.6%) from three. The Magic are not a good 3-point shooting team, but they aren't that bad. Water will eventually find its level, and the shots will fall.
Conventional wisdom says role players always play better at home in the NBA playoffs. With Game 3 shifting to the Kia Center in front of a sold-out Magic crowd that will shake the building, the role players will step up and knock down more shots. This is the key to their offense because if Jalen Suggs, Gary Harris, and Jonathan Isaac are knocking down 3-pointers, it creates space for Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner in the lane to get to their spots. The Magic have struggled to score because of the lack of shooting related to the clogged lane.
I say the Magic won't win the series because they remind me a lot of the Cavaliers in last season's playoffs vs. the New York Knicks. The Knicks exposed Cleveland's lack of 3-point shooting, and the Cavs addressed it in the offseason by signing Max Strus and Georges Niang.
I'd also like to point out that while the Magic haven't been able to score and lost the first two games by double digits, they were able to hold the Cavaliers offense below 100 points in each game. The defense is legitimate. They can contain the Cavs' attack, but they need to make 3-point shots, and a shift in venue should help their young role players.
The Magic should be closer to a 3.5-point favorite, which is why I'm laying the two points with the home side. While I still believe you have an edge with the Magic at the number of -2 (-110), it's worth highlighting that this edge is slowly disappearing as the number continues to move toward Orlando. The Magic opened at +1 on the spread and the market has continued to push this number in their direction.
Cavaliers vs Magic same-game parlay (SGP)
Magic -2
Gary Harris Over 1.5 threes
Moritz Wagner Over 9.5 points
The key to the Magic covering the spread is their ability to make 3-point shots, so I'm adding Harris Over 1.5 threes to our same-game parlay. Harris is in the starting lineup to knock down shots and help space the floor. The Magic opened Game 2 with a play to get Harris a corner three, knowing his shooting is crucial to their success.
I'm also adding Moritz Wagner Over 9.5 points to the SGP because he is the exact type of emotional player Jamahl Mosley will turn to fire up this crowd. I'm specifically going after his points prop because Wagner used his size and footwork to score on the interior against Jarrett Allen in Game 2.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Cavaliers vs Magic odds
Cavaliers vs Magic live odds
Get the latest Cavaliers vs Magic NBA playoff odds for Game 3.
Cavaliers vs Magic opening odds
- Spread: Cleveland -1 | Orlando +1
- Moneyline: Cleveland -115 | Orlando -105
- Over/Under: Over 202 | Under 202
Cavaliers vs Magic spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Magic opened as a 1-point underdog at DraftKings and are now trading as a 2-point favorite.
- Some sportsbooks have already moved to Magic -2.5, as this line continues to steam towards the Magic.
- The total opened at 200.5 at DraftKings and is now trading just half a point lower at 200.
- This is one of the lowest totals I have seen all season, and we aren't seeing any momentum in the market for the Over as both teams have failed to break 100 points in each of the first two games.
Cavaliers vs Magic trend
The Orlando Magic have hit the Moneyline in 29 of their last 41 games at home (+16.35 Units / 15% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Cavaliers vs. Magic.
Cavaliers vs Magic game info
| Location: | Kia Center, Orlando, FL |
| Date: | Thursday, 4-25-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Bally Ohio, Bally Florida |
Cavaliers vs Magic latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Covers may receive advertising commissions for visits to a sportsbook or betting site.
