The series has shifted over to the Sunshine State as the No. 5 seed Orlando Magic are hosting the No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday. These teams split the season series 2-2 but that hasn't been the case in this series. On Monday, the Cavaliers outlasted the Magic 96-86 to go up 2-0 in this 2024 NBA playoffs series. Orlando plays better at home, logging a 29-12 record at Kia Center during the regular season.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at the Kia Center in Orlando, Fla. The Magic are 2.5-point favorites in the latest Cavaliers vs. Magic odds, while the over/under for total points is 201.5. Before making any Magic vs. Cavaliers picks, you'll want to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters the second week of the 2024 NBA playoffs on a sizzling 90-58 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning more than $2,800. Anyone following the model has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Cavaliers vs. Magic and just locked in its picks and Game 3 predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the picks. Here are several NBA betting lines and trends for Magic vs. Cavaliers:
- Cavaliers vs. Magic spread: Orlando -2.5
- Cavaliers vs. Magic over/under: 201.5 points
- Cavaliers vs. Magic money line: Orlando -141, Cleveland +119
- CLE: The Cavs are 4-2 ATS in their last six games
- ORL: The Magic are 1-5 ATS in their past six games
- Cavaliers vs. Magic picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Cavaliers can cover
Forward Evan Mobley joins Jarrett Allen in the frontcourt and makes a serious impact. Mobley is an agile big man who has the skill to handle the rock if needed. The USC product plays with good timing as a shot blocker and is always crashing the boards. Mobley averaged 15.7 points and 9.4 rebounds per game in the regular season. In Game 1, the 22-year-old had 16 points, 11 boards, and three blocks.
Guard Darius Garland is a shifty playmaker who has a quick release with a knack for hitting shots off the dribble. The Vanderbilt product also owns a nice floater in the lane. He put up 18 points and 6.5 assists per contest in 2023-24. In his last outing, Garland notched 15 points, four assists, and went 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. See which team to pick here.
Why the Magic can cover
Forward Paolo Banchero continues to be the Magic's best player on the floor. Banchero is an all-around threat due to his playmaking and scoring ability. The Duke product gets into the lane consistently and has the vision to get his teammates good looks. Through the first two contests, Banchero leads the team in points (22.5) with five boards and four assists per game. He had 21 points, three assists, and three rebounds in his last outing.
Forward Franz Wagner gives the Magic another capable ball handler and scorer. Wagner plays with good instincts and has a smooth jumper to space out the floor. In the regular season, the Michigan product averaged 19.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. In the Game 1 loss, Wagner racked up 18 points, seven boards, and three steals. See which team to pick here.
How to make Magic vs. Cavaliers picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 206 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations. You can see the picks only at SportsLine.
So who wins Cavaliers vs. Magic, and which side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Magic vs. Cavaliers spread you need to jump on, all from the model on a 90-58 roll on top-rated NBA picks this season, and find out.
