Cleveland Cavaliers vs Orlando Magic Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 20/04/2024, 04:39  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 20/04/2024 at 05:00 in NBA Prediction

The Orlando Magic will head to the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers in their first-round playoff series on Saturday. The hosts are the 4th seed, while the visitors are the fifth seeds. 

So far this season, these teams have faced each other four times, resulting in a tie with a score of 2:2. The Orlando Magic enter this series with some momentum, having won five of their last nine games in the regular season, including a commanding 113-88 victory over the Bucks on Sunday. Paolo Banchero showcased his leadership with 26 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists, while Franz Wagner contributed 25 points. Orlando enters this game with an average of 110.5 points per game, ranking 24th in the league, just slightly higher than the typical points allowed by the Cavaliers. Defensively, Orlando is strong, allowing only 108.4 points per game, placing them 4th in the league. Their defense has particularly excelled in rebounding, leading the league in opponent's offensive rebound rate. To succeed in Cleveland, they'll need to maintain their dominance on the boards. The Magic have a full roster available for this matchup.

In contrast, the Cleveland Cavaliers experienced a rough patch entering the playoffs, dropping six of their last 10 games. Their latest defeat was a disappointing 120-110 loss to the Hornets on Sunday. Georges Niang led the team with 16 points coming off the bench, while Max Strus achieved a triple-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists. Cleveland averages 112.6 points per game, ranking 20th in the league, which is 3.8 points lower than the average allowed by the Magic. Defensively, Cleveland allows 110.2 points per game, placing them 7th in the league. Throughout the season, the Cavs have relied on their strong defense, particularly in the paint, where they rank 5th in the NBA, conceding around 46 points per game. Injury woes have plagued Cleveland, with up to seven players listed as doubtful, including Donovan Mitchell and Caris LeVert.