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The Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers open the 1st round of the NBA Playoffs when they meet in Game 1 of a best-of-7 series at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Magic vs. Cavaliers odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
Regular season series: Tied 2-2
The Cavaliers struggled down the home stretch of the season and almost failed to earn home-court advantage in the 1st round, losing 4 of their last 6 games. They ended 48-34 straight up and 38-44 against the spread (ATS). Cleveland finished 18-21-1 ATS at home. It is led by G Donovan Mitchell, who averaged 26.6 points per game during the regular season.
The Magic closed the season by beating the Milwaukee Bucks 113-88 at home Sunday, covering as 6-point favorites. They also lost 4 of their last 6 games, covering in just 2 of them. Orlando finished the season 47-35 and 51-31 ATS, the best ATS record in the NBA. It was just 23-18 ATS at home.
Magic at Cavaliers odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 11:59 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Magic +166 (bet $100 to win $166) | Cavaliers -198 (bet $198 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Magic +4.5 (-108) | Cavaliers -4.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 207.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Magic at Cavaliers key injuries
Magic
- None
Cavaliers
- None
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Magic at Cavaliers picks and predictions
Prediction
Cavaliers 107, Magic 100
Moneyline
PASS.
Orlando was the 5th seed in the Eastern Conference yet just 18-23 on the road. It made its fortress at home, not on the road, making it not worth a play as a plus-money underdog.
On the other side, the Cavs (-198) are too expensive here.
Against the spread
BET CAVALIERS -4.5 (-112).
The Cavs were 1-1 straight up and ATS against the Magic at home this season, but they were missing Mitchell in the lone home game they failed to cover. He will be active Saturday.
Cleveland is the more experienced side, making the playoffs last season as well, while this is the 1st time Orlando has made the playoffs in the last 4 seasons. With many young players, the Magic could struggle. They have also failed to cover in 4 straight road games.
Back CAVALIERS -4.5 (-112).
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 207.5 (-110).
The Magic were 5-7 O/U in their last 12 games and 37-45 O/U on the season. The Cavaliers were 3-3 O/U in their last 6 and 40-41-1 O/U on the season.
Both teams have strong defenses with the Magic ending 3rd in defensive rating and the Cavaliers finishing 7th. Neither team finished in the top half of the league in offensive rating either.
Put it all together, and back UNDER 207.5 (-110).
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