Orlando Magic (47-37) vs Cleveland Cavaliers (50-34)
Game Info: Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 7:00 pm (Kia Center)
Betting Odds: Orlando Magic -1.5 --- Over/Under: 200.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic duke it out in a pivotal Game 3 NBA playoffs at the Amway Center on Thursday night. Here’s a Cleveland Cavaliers vs Orlando Magic prediction.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers will be aiming to take a commanding 3-0 series lead after taking down the Magic in a solid 96-86 win in Game 2 on Monday. Donovan Mitchell led the team with 23 points, eight rebounds and four assists, Evan Mobley added 17 points while Jarrett Allen chipped in with 16 points, 20 rebounds and three blocks. As a team, the Cavaliers shot just 41 percent from the field and 12 of 39 from the 3-point line, but this win was all about their effort on the defensive end as they were always in control after restricting the Magic to just 18 points in the first quarter to build an early 22-point lead which was more than enough to hold off a late charge in the fourth quarter.
Orlando Magic
Meanwhile, the Orlando Magic will be desperate to come out strong and make their mark on this series after getting routed by the Cavaliers in a tough loss on Monday. Paolo Banchero led the team with 21 points on nine of 20 shooting, Franz Wagner added 18 points while Gary Harris chipped in with 14 points but no other player scored more than 12 points. As a team, the Magic shot just 36 percent from the field and nine of 35 from the 3-point line as they got off to a terrible start and were always a couple steps behind the Cavaliers once they fell into an early double digit deficit. Wendell Carter Jr had a rough game of just six points on one of seven shooting off the bench while Jonathan Isaac scored just three points on one of seven shooting.
Orlando Magic Player Facts
- Moritz Wagner ranks 8th amongst qualified players for FG% (60.1%) this season.
- Jalen Suggs ranks 4th in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for steals per game (1.4) this season.
Cleveland Cavaliers Player Facts
- Jarrett Allen ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for FG% (63.4%) this season.
- Donovan Mitchell ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for steals per game (1.8) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Magic rank 1st in the league for opponent assists per game this season (23.9).
- The Magic rank 1st in the league for opponent rebounds per game this season (39.9).
- The Cavaliers are one of only two teams to lose a game when leading by 20+ points at HT this season.
- The Cavaliers rank 3rd in the league for Q2 opponent points per game this season (26.9).
Cavaliers vs Orlando Magic prediction
The Cavaliers are still a little shorthanded with role players Ty Jerome, Craig Porter and Dean Wade all ruled out, while the Magic are keeping an eye on Jalen Suggs who is listed as day to day at the moment. The Cavaliers hold all the momentum in the series after taking care of business on Monday. However, this is the season for the Magic as they are in deep water if they don't draw the line in the sand in this one. It's tempting to go with the Cavaliers, who are certainly tempting as the underdogs here. The Magic are playing for their season in this one, and I think the role players step up at the Amway Center in a gritty home win.
Peter’s Pick Orlando -1.5
AUTHOR: Peter Tran
