Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

The Orlando Magic head to the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Friday night to take on a Cleveland Cavaliers team who have yet to lose a game. 

This encounter pits together two of the top three teams in the Eastern Conference - the Cavs are 5-0 and Orlando is 3-2 - and it’s a rematch from the pair’s seven-game series in the first round of last season’s playoffs.

Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers betting picks and predictions

Cleveland Cavaliers -7.0 (-110)

The Cavs lead the way in the East following a blistering start and they are favorites to stop an Orlando side who are without All-Star Paolo Banchero. The former top pick suffered a torn oblique which is set to leave the Magic without their best player for at least a month.

The Magic had won three of their opening four games, but they suffered a 102-99 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday. That doesn’t bode well for Orlando, who rely heavily on Banchero’s scoring and his ability to create openings for teammates.

Banchero has averaged 29 points this season, with Franz Wagner behind him with 17.8 points per game. The German forward is also listed as questionable for this one, so the Magic will be considerably understrength offensively.

That’s a concern for this trip, as Cleveland’s opening five games have seen the Cavs win by an average margin of 18 points. They’ve cleared a 7.5 point line in four of those wins, while they beat the New York Knicks by six. 

Given how well the Cavs have started, take them to clear a weakened Magic side on the spread. 

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 2+ Threes Made (+100)

With Banchero ruled out and Wagner questionable, the Magic will need the supporting cast to step up offensively. That’s a concern given their lack of reliable scorers, but two-time NBA Champion Kentavious Caldwell-Pope can rise to the occasion and offer more shooting than he has done so far.

KCP has made 0.8 threes-per-game for the Magic in his opening five games, that’s a real step down from his impact in recent seasons.

He made 1.6 and 1.8 per-game across his two seasons in Denver. He had a bigger role for the Washington Wizards in 2021/22 and averaged 2.1 made threes per night, while his final season as an LA Laker saw him also average 1.8 threes per game.

Caldwell-Pope’s three-point shooting has been off early this season, but he’s been a 40 percent shooter from beyond the arc over the last four seasons. He’s a prime candidate for a bigger offensive role in Banchero’s absence, so take him for 2+ Threes Made on Friday. 

Cleveland Cavaliers -2.5 1st quarter spread (-105)

The Cavs have won four of their five first-quarters this season, only slipping a spirited effort from the Detroit Pistons.

They should find it easy to open an early lead against an Orlando side who will take time to settle into their offensive stride without Banchero. 

The Magic are likely to be a little more susceptible to steals without their main ball-handler. Point guard Jalen Suggs is stronger defensively than offensively and he has 2.4 turnovers per game, while Cole Anthony averages two turnovers per game and is set to step into Banchero’s starting role.

Donovan Mitchell Over 1.5 steals (-105)

The aforementioned turnover issues should open up opportunities for Donovan Mitchell, who has troubled sides with his steals this season.

The guard has recorded at least three steals in wins over the Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards and LA Lakers, and he can take the ball away two or more times tonight against the Banchero-less Magic.

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Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers odds

Orlando Magic	+245 ML
Cleveland Cavaliers	-305 ML
Spread	CLE Cavaliers -7.0
Total Points	O/U 218.5

Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers player props

Player Points

Donovan Mitchell (CLE Cavaliers)	O/U 23.5
Darius Garland (CLE Cavaliers)	O/U 16.5
Jalen Suggs (ORL Magic)	O/U 15.5
Evan Mobley (CLE Cavaliers)	O/U 14.5
Jarrett Allen (CLE Cavaliers)	O/U 14.5
Wendell Carter Jr (ORL Magic)	O/U 11.5

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.