Orlando Magic vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction and Preview | Nov. 1, 2024
The Cleveland Cavaliers will look to remain undefeated on Friday against the shorthanded Orlando Magic.
Cleveland (5-0) sits atop the NBA, with the OKC Thunder (4-0) being the only other unbeaten team. Despite their inactive offseason, the Cavaliers appear to have taken a sizeable step forward under new coach Kenny Atkinson.
Their core four players Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and Darius Garland are all thriving offensively, resulting in a No. 1-ranked offensive rating (123.4). Meanwhile, Cleveland sits third in defensive rating (105.7).
The Cavaliers are coming off a dominant 134-110 home victory over the LA Lakers on Wednesday, led by Mobley's team-best 25 points on 75.0% shooting.
Conversely, Orlando (3-2), will attempt to stay afloat without its top player, Paolo Banchero. The star forward suffered a torn right oblique during Wednesday's 102-99 road loss to the Chicago Bulls and will be re-evaluated in four to six weeks.
While the Magic rank fourth in defensive rating (106.9), they are 16th in offensive rating (111.8). So, they could struggle to generate enough offense without Banchero, their leading scorer (29.0 points per game).
Moreover, Orlando's second-leading scorer, Franz Wagner (17.8 ppg), is in jeopardy of missing Friday's contest due to an illness. Thus, the squad could be severely undermanned in the frontcourt.
Orlando Magic vs Cleveland Cavaliers odds, preview and prediction
The Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers' clash is scheduled for 7 p.m. EDT on Friday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio.
The contest will be broadcast nationally on ESPN and locally on FanDuel Sports Network Ohio and FanDuel Sports Network Florida. It can also be streamed on NBA League Pass and FuboTV.
Moneyline: Magic (+230) vs Cavaliers (-280)
Spread: Magic +6.5 (-110) vs Cavaliers -6.5 (-110)
Total (Over/Under): o217.5 (-110) vs u217.5 (-110)
Editor's note: The odds could change closer to tipoff, as the odds listed were based on available information at the time of writing.
Orlando Magic vs Cleveland Cavaliers preview
With Orlando missing Banchero and potentially Wagner, Cleveland should have a significant offensive advantage.
Mitchell, Garland, Mobley and Allen are each averaging at least 17.8 ppg while shooting 50.0% or better through five games. That includes Allen's league-leading 79.1% shooting average.
Garland and Mitchell could be slowed down by the Magic's defensive-minded guards, including Jalen Suggs, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Anthony Black. However, Mobley and Allen should thrive against Orlando's shorthanded frontcourt featuring Wendell Carter Jr. and Moritz Wagner.
If Franz Wagner joins Banchero on the sideline, the Magic will need someone else to step into a primary offensive role. However, they seemingly don’t have any prime candidates to do so. Suggs (16.8 ppg) and Moritz Wagner (11.0 ppg) are their only other players averaging double-figure points.
Orlando Magic vs Cleveland Cavaliers projected starting lineups
With Banchero (torn oblique) out and Franz Wagner (illness) considered questionable, the Magic's starting lineup could be as follows:
PG: Jalen Suggs SG: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope SF: Franz Wagner (DTD)/Anthony Black PF: Jonathan Isaac C: Wendell Carter Jr.
Meanwhile, with sharpshooter Max Strus (hip) being the Cavaliers' only key player sidelined, their starting unit should again be as follows:
PG: Darius Garland SG: Donovan Mitchell SF: Dean Wade PF: Evan Mobley C: Jarrett Allen
Editor's note: These are projected starting lineups and could change as players' availabilities are updated closer to game time.
Orlando Magic vs Cleveland Cavaliers betting tips
Mobley's points prop is 14.5. He has scored 16-plus points in four of five outings this season. So, he should hit the over against the Magic's undermanned frontcourt.
Meanwhile, Allen's points prop is also 14.5. He has scored 15-plus points in four of five contests. Thus, he should capitalize on a matchup against an inferior center and hit the over.
Orlando Magic vs Cleveland Cavaliers prediction
Cleveland has the talent edge, the homecourt advantage and is riding its early-season momentum. So, it should dispatch a shorthanded Orlando squad while covering the spread (-6.5) after winning four of its first five games by double digits.
However, the teams appear unlikely to surpass their 217.5 over/under point total, as the Magic lack a bona fide primary scoring option.
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