The Orlando Magic (30-25) are heading to Ohio to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers (36-17). This is the fourth and final time these two teams will meet up in the regular season. Cleveland leads the series 2-1. Both teams are on a hot streak right now and have been shutting their opponents down with defense.
Eastern Conference standings are on the line. While these two teams aren’t competing for the same spot, the Orlando Magic are trying to make a push for the top six to stay out of the play-in tournament. Cleveland currently holds the second seed and will try to stave off Milwaukee and New York. They could possibly catch Boston if they keep this pace up.
Cleveland is the favorite, but given the way the Orlando Magic are playing, is an upset looming?
Orlando Magic Vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Odds and Details
| Team | Spread | Total | MoneyLine |
| Orlando Magic | +7.5 -105 |
O 216.5 -112 |
+260 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | -7.5 -115 |
U 216.5 -108 |
-375 |
| ** Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook** | |||
Fixture: Orlando Magic @ Cleveland Cavaliers
Date And Time: February 22, 2024 @ 7:00 p.m. EST
Location: Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, OH
Key Stats
Orlando Magic (Averages)
Points: 111.4
Points Allowed: 110.9
Field Goal Efficiency: 40.7/86.1 for 47.3%
Three-Pont Efficiency: 10.9/31.3 for 34.8%
Free Throw Efficiency: 19.4/25.6 for 75.6%
Rebounds: 11.0 Offensive, 31.9 Defensive, 42.9 Combined
Assists: 24.9
Steals: 8.1
Blocks: 5.2
Turnovers: 14.6
Field Goal Efficiency Against: 40.6/85.1 for 47.7%
Three-Point Efficiency Against: 11.7/32.7 for 35.6%
Free Throw Efficiency Against: 18.0/23.6 for 76.2%
Rebounds Against: 9.5 Offensive, 31.2 Defensive, 40.7 Combined
The Orlando Magic are one of the most dominant teams in the paint this season. They are ninth in the league in points per game in the paint with 52.5. Orlando has been hot in the past ten games, going 7-3 and shooting 50% from the field. Offense has been the struggle for the Magic all season but the combination of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner is becoming one of the top duos in the league.
The Orlando Magic have no major injuries, with Jalen Suggs (groin), Markelle Fultz (knee), and Gary Harris (calf) all being listed as day-to-day.
Cleveland Cavaliers (Averages)
Points: 114.9
Points Allowed: 109.2
Field Goal Efficiency: 42.8/88.6 for 48.3%
Three-Pont Efficiency: 13.4/37.1 for 36.1%
Free Throw Efficiency: 16.0/20.7 for 77.2%
Rebounds: 10.7 Offensive, 34.2 Defensive, 45.0 Combined
Assists: 27.3
Steals: 7.6
Blocks: 4.8
Turnovers: 13.4
Field Goal Efficiency Against: 39.8/87.6 for 45.5%
Three-Point Efficiency Against: 12.1/33.7 for 35.8%
Free Throw Efficiency Against: 17.5/22.3 for 78.4%
Rebounds Against: 10.2 Offensive, 39.1 Defensive, 40.2 Combined
The Cleveland Cavaliers are the hottest team in the NBA. They have won 18 of their past 20 games. The whole team is banging on all cylinders. In the past ten games, they are averaging 118.7 points while only giving up 106.5. There has been some inferior competition but wins against Sacramento, Milwaukee, and this Orlando Magic team have been a part of the streak. Donovan Mitchell has been the catalyst for the offense with 28.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.9 steals per game this season.
There are no major injuries the Cavaliers are dealing with right now. They were banged up a month ago, but Evan Mobley and Darius Garland have been working their way back into the rotation. Ty Jerome is out with an ankle injury, while Sam Merrill and Dean Wade are day-to-day.
Game Prediction
This game is going to be closer than people think it is. I see this game as a back-and-forth defensive battle and a lower-scoring affair for a couple of reasons. First, there will be some rust. Many of these players haven’t seen the court for a week and it may take a quarter or two to find their rhythm again.
Second, both of these teams have been playing fantastic defense. Points are going to be hard to come by. Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley will clog up the paint for the Orlando Magic. The Cleveland Cavaliers will be bothered by the length on the perimeter of the Magic. I still have the Cavaliers winning, but it’s going to be closer than people think.
Final Pick
Orlando Magic +7.5 and Under 216.5
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Matt has been following sports since he was a kid. While football is his primary focus, Matt can talk about any sport anytime. He is a banker in Wisconsin and hosts two podcasts, Beers and Ears & Discontinued on Display.
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