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Magic vs. Cavaliers Prediction and Odds (More Evenly-Matched Than Odds Suggest)

By Joe Summers

The Cavaliers are struggling and hope to stop a three-game skid as they host the Magic tonight
The Cavaliers are struggling and hope to stop a three-game skid as they host the Magic tonight / Mark Blinch/GettyImages
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We've got a battle of two teams in need of a win as the 41-33 Cleveland Cavaliers host the 20-55 Orlando Magic tonight at 7:00 PM EST.

Cleveland has lost three in a row and failed to cover the spread in four straight while Orlando has won just two of their last seven and is 1-5 against the spread (ATS) in their last six.

The Cavaliers recent slump has dropped them into the the Play-In Tournament in the Eastern Conference, though they sit only a game behind the Raptors for the sixth seed to avoid the knockout rounds.

Can Cleveland regroup and get a convincing win over a poor Magic team or will Orlando prove to be a feisty road underdog and keep it close?

Let's check out the odds over at WynnBET to help us find value in this Magic vs Cavaliers matchup:

Magic vs Cavaliers Odds, Spread and Total

Spread

  • Magic +9 (-110)
  • Cavaliers -9 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Magic +350
  • Cavaliers -450

Total:

  • 217 (Over -110/Under -110)

Magic vs Cavaliers Prediction and Pick

The Cavaliers really miss Jarrett Allen. In the 10 games since their defensive stalwart went down with injury, Cleveland ranks 24th in defensive rating. On the season, they're fourth. So Allen's absence is directly correlated with their collapse and terrible play of late.

Orlando, on the other hand, is actually fifth (in the entire league!) in defensive rating over those same 10 games. They've had the benefit of playing poor offenses like the Thunder twice and Warriors, but progress is progress!

Don't get too excited, though, because their offense is still dead last in rating this month, but beggars can't be choosers!

Overall, this contests sets up nicely for the Magic to hang around. They're 5-1 ATS in their last six as an underdog and straight up won two of their last three as a road underdog. Cleveland, meanwhile, has lost two in a row as a home favorite and is just 5-11 ATS over their last 16 in this spot.

As a cherry on top, over the last 15 games, the Cavaliers rank 21st in net rating (-4.1) and are barely ahead of the 23rd-ranked Magic (-4.8). This line is far too big based on how Cleveland has looked since losing Allen, and we should keep fading them until the star big man returns.

Pick: Magic +9 (-110)

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.

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