The Cleveland Cavaliers (25-13) will try to snap their five-game road losing streak in a matchup against the Orlando Magic (12-27) at Amway Center. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 6, 2018, and will air on Fox SportsNet Florida.
Cleveland is a 9-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 221.5 points.
Cleveland Cavaliers at Orlando Magic Free Prediction
In the Cavaliers’ last matchup, they were topped by the Boston Celtics, 102-88. Boston’s 0.511 effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over Cleveland, who had a rate of 0.393. The Celtics’ mark was below their season average of 0.523, while the Cavaliers’ was below their season average of 0.554. LeBron James led Cleveland in scoring with 19 points on 8-for-15 shooting.
The Magic were blown out by the Houston Rockets in their last outing, 116-98. Houston’s effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Orlando. The Rockets had a rate of 0.556 (below their season average of 0.558), while the Magic posted a mark of 0.418 (below their season average of 0.517). With 14 points and nine rebounds, Orlando’s Mario Hezonja had a good game.
Getting to the line might be few and far between for Orlando in this matchup. The Magic currently rank 24th in the NBA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.180, while Cleveland ranks second in FTA rate allowed (0.163). Also, the Cavaliers rank fourth in offensive efficiency (111.4), while the Magic rank 27th in defensive efficiency (108.8).
Cleveland has a respectable 25-13 straight up (SU) record, but they are just 12-25-1 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has been spot on when predicting totals of Cavaliers games, with an even split between overs and unders.
Meanwhile, Orlando is 12-27 SU and 13-25-1 ATS. Of the Magic’s 39 games, 21 have finished under the total.
Elfrid Payton has averaged 18.6 points, 8.8 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals over the last five games for Orlando.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Nikola Vucevic scored a game-high 23 points and the Magic beat the Cavaliers 114-93, covering as 11.5-point underdogs. He also had seven rebounds and five assists. The game finished with a total of 207 points, which was 9 points below the projected point total of 216 points. The Magic had a better turnover percentage (10.8 vs. 14.0) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.539 vs. 0.424).
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Orlando Magic Odds Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Cavaliers, ATS Winner – Magic, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Cleveland is 9-10 ATS on the road with 11 unders and 8 overs.
Orlando is 5-13 ATS at home with 11 unders and 7 overs.
Orlando is 6-3 when they allow below 100 points, while Cleveland is 10-1.
In games where they score above 100 points, the Magic are 12-13 and the Cavaliers are 25-8.
Orlando ranks eighth in three pointers allowed per game (26.9) while Cleveland ranks last (32.2).
The Cavaliers average 23.4 assists per game, which ranks seventh in the NBA. The Magic rank 27th in assists allowed per game (24.7).
Orlando ranks 11th in blocks per game (4.8) while Cleveland ranks 27th (3.8).
The Cavaliers rank 15th in rebounds allowed per game (43.0) while the Magic rank 29th (46.6).
Cleveland ranks 14th in second chance points allowed per game (12.2) while Orlando ranks 26th (13.3).
The Cavaliers average 17.4 points off turnovers per game, which ranks 10th in the league. The Magic rank 21st in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.6).
Cleveland ranks 18th in points allowed in the paint per game (45.0) while Orlando ranks 27th (48.5).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Cleveland is 1-4 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Orlando is 1-4 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Cavaliers have been outscored by an average of 4.2 points in their last five games. For the season, Cleveland has defeated opponents by an average of 2.7 points.
During their last five games, the Magic have scored an average of 99.0 points per game (5.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 105.4 points per game (4.8 below their season average).
