NBA Odds: Can Magic Avoid Elimination at Home vs. Cavs?
Despite being relegated to an afterthought, this Eastern Conference series between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic has been interesting. The Cavaliers have a 3-2 lead, but with the home team winning every game and this series heading back to Orlando, the Magic are favored in NBA Odds.
Most of the games in this series have been put on NBA TV rather than one of the channels on which many prime-time playoff games appear. A guess as to why that has happened is neither team features an exciting offense but both have an elite defense. That has led to a back-and-forth series, with the home team winning the first four games by 10 or more points.
However, there was a shift in Game 5. While the host Cavaliers still won the game, taking a series lead, the Magic made things interesting in losing 104-103. That was the first legit chance a road team had in this series.
Cavaliers vs Magic Game Information
- Game: Cavaliers (48-34) vs Magic (47-35)
- Location: Kia Center, Orlando, FL
- Day/Time: Friday, April 3, 7:00 p.m. ET
- Cavaliers vs Magic Live Stream: NBA Game Pass
Cavaliers vs Magic Head-to-Head
Cavaliers vs Magic Odds and Spreads
Cavaliers vs Magic Betting Trends
- Magic are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games playing on 2 days rest.
- Magic are 8-0 ATS in their last 8 games as a home favorite of 5.0-10.5.
- Cavaliers are 0-7 ATS in their last 7 playoff games as an underdog.
- Cavaliers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 2 days rest.
Max Strus and Mitchell Key to Cavs’ NBA Betting Success: Can They Deliver in Game 6?
Since the Cavaliers were eliminated by the New York Knicks last season in the first round of the playoffs in only five games, they have been doing anything to rectify that. That process started with Max Strus signing in the offseason, and he came up big in Game 5. Strus scored 16 points, hitting four threes while adding six rebounds and five assists.
That was precisely the game the Cavaliers needed from Strus with Jarrett Allen sitting on the bench with bruised ribs. Allen has been arguably the best player for the Cavaliers this series, averaging 17 points and 13.8 rebounds. He is a game-time decision for Game 6.
However, given Allen’s poor performances in the playoffs last season, that isn’t the Cavaliers’ path to success. The team is built around their guards Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, who have both struggled in this series, especially in Orlando. They both shot under 40% from the field in the two games in Orlando, averaging a combined 25 points.
Mitchell and Garland must play a lot better for the Cavaliers to close out this series on the road. They could build some momentum from a strong Game 5. Mitchell and Garland both scored over 20 points, combining for 51. They need to start to play somewhat like themselves in this close-out game.
Magic Unleashed at Home: Offense Explodes, Banchero Shines
It is easy to tell that the Magic at home is an entirely different team. After scoring 83 and 86 points in the series’ first two games, the Magic’s offense woke up in Orlando, scoring 121 and 112 points. That gave them enough momentum to make Game 5 close.
Paolo Banchero tonight:
39 Points
8 Rebounds
4 Assists
58% FG
4/7 3PMYoung star. ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/K7kXNJGqv6
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) May 1, 2024
In addition, the Magic had a good chance to win Game 5. Franz Wagner was driving to the basket with seconds left on the clock until Cavaliers center Evan Mobley blocked his layup attempt. Furthermore, 21-year-old Paolo Banchero looked like the best player in this series and scored 39 points in a road loss.
With Banchero’s performance in the last game and the boost the Magic’s offense has gotten from being at home, it makes a lot of sense why they are favored to force a Game 7. On top of that, the Magic’s defense has been great at home. They have held the Cavaliers to under 90 points in the two games in Orlando.
Magic Have Reasons to Believe: Home Dominance Fuels Game 7 Hopes
This is shaping into a series in which the home team wins every game. That leads NBA picks to back the Magic, with this game being played in Orlando. However, there are other reasons to back them, given how much better the Magic play on both ends of the ball at home, along with Banchero coming off a big performance.
Question Of The Day
Who is going to lead this game in scoring?
Paolo Banchero took over in Game 5, and back home in Orlando, the Magic’s All-Star could be in for another big game on his home court.
