The Orlando Magic and the Cleveland Cavaliers collide in a dramatic NBA Game 7 at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on Sunday afternoon. Here’s a Cleveland Cavaliers vs Orlando Magic Prediction.
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic needed to stave off elimination with a big performance in Game 6 and they did just that as they outlasted the Cavaliers in a 104-96 win on Friday. Paolo Banchero led the team with 27 points, eight rebounds and four assists, Franz Wagner added 26 points on six of 16 shooting while Jalen Suggs chipped in with 22 points, six rebounds and four assists. As a team, the Magic shot just 39 percent from the field and 11 of 36 from the 3-point line, but they outscored the Cavaliers at the free throw line by 22-5 and they did a great job of limiting the Cavaliers’ role players all night.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers will be kicking themselves after missing out a chance to close out the series in Game 6 on Friday. Donovan Mitchell led the team with a game-high 50 points on 22 of 36 shooting, Darius Garland added 21 points with seven rebounds and five assists while Max Strus chipped in with 10 points but no other player scored more than four points. As a team, the Cavaliers shot 48 percent from the field and seven of 28 from the 3-point line as they fought hard to keep pace with the Magic all the way until they went cold when it mattered most, scoring just seven points in the final 3:38 to allow the Magic off the hook.
Why the Cleveland Cavaliers will win
- The home team has won each of the Magic’s last 12 games.
- The Magic have lost each of their last seven road games.
- The home team has covered the spread in 11 of the Magic’s last 12 games.
- The Magic have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven Eastern Conference First Round games as underdogs.
Why the Orlando Magic will win
- The Cavaliers have lost each of their last six Sunday games.
- The Magic have won six of their seven previous day games against the Cavaliers.
- The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight day games against Southeast Division opponents.
- The Magic have covered the spread in each of their last four playoff games against the Cavaliers.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Magic’s last 12 Sunday games have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Seven of the Cavaliers’ last eight playoff home games have gone UNDER the total points line.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Orlando Magic Prediction
The Magic are keeping an eye on Gary Harris, who is listed as questionable for this one, while the Cavaliers have Jarrett Allen listed as questionable also. The Magic hold the momentum after their gritty win in Game 6, but the Cavaliers have won all three of their home games in this series, and they could’ve easily won on Friday if Mitchell just got a little more support. With the series going back to Cleveland, I expect the Cavaliers role players to step up again, so I’m sticking with the Cavaliers to get the win and cover at the short line in this spot.