The Orlando Magic (20-55) visit to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Monday to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers (41-33). Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Magic vs. Cavaliers odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Magic are coming into this game following a 4-point overtime loss to Sacramento. Orlando is 2-2 in its last 4 games yet is just 1-5 against the spread (ATS) over its last 6.
The Magic are led by G Cole Anthony, who has averaged 16.9 points and 5.9 assists per game this season. Orlando ranks 29th in points per game. Its one saving grace is it sits 16th in opponents’ field goal percentage.
As for the Cavaliers, they’ll be without star C Jarrett Allen. Cleveland is led by G Darius Garland, who controls most of the offense and averages 21.5 points and 8.6 assists per game.
The Cavaliers are 39-32-3 ATS on the season, the sixth-best covering rate in the NBA, but haven’t covered in their last 4 games. They’re coming off a 4-point home loss to Chicago.
Magic at Cavaliers odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:45 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Magic +400 (bet $100 to win $400) | Cavaliers -550 (bet $550 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Magic +9.5 (-107) | Cavaliers -9.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 213.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
Magic at Cavaliers key injuries
Magic
- G Jalen Suggs (ankle) out
Cavaliers
- G Rajon Rondo (ankle) out
- C Jarrett Allen (finger) out
[tipico]
Magic at Cavaliers odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Cavaliers 114, Magic 107
Money line
PASS.
Either way you look at this, this money line play has little value. Orlando is 10-28 on the road this season while Cleveland is 23-14 at home. That said, the -550 price tag for the favorite is unplayable, as is +400 for the Magic.
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Against the spread
LEAN to MAGIC +9.5 (-107).
The Cavaliers without Allen just aren’t the elite, Eastern Conference contenders many thought they could be. Cleveland is just 3-7-1 ATS over its last 10.
The Cavs are 6-12 straight up in games that Allen doesn’t play in. He’s a crucial part of this team’s defensive identity.
As for Orlando, it is 20-16 ATS as a road underdog. Cleveland ranks 29th in turnover rate and 19th in defensive rebounding rate. The absence of Allen hurts them further in both areas.
I expect the Cavs to continue struggling against a Magic team that is 5-5 ATS over their last 10.
Over/Under
BET on the OVER 213.5 (-115).
If there’s something both teams have been good at recently, it’s hitting over the projected total. The fact that Allen is out should also bode well for more points as he’s among the best defensive centers in the NBA.
The Magic are 38-36-1 O/U this season and 5-2 O/U over their last 10. As for Cleveland, it has gone over the projected total in 6 of its last 7. It is 8-2 O/U in its last 10.
The Cavs defense now ranks 3rd in opponents’ points per game, allowing 105. The Magic allows around 112.
With Allen out, the Magic should be able to score in the paint easier, especially considering Cleveland is already a poor rebounding team. The OVER 213.5 (-115) is the best bet in this game.
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