Magic vs. Cavaliers Odds
| Magic Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+8 -115 | 217.5 -110o / -110u | +250 |
| Cavaliers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-8 -105 | 217.5 -110o / -110u | -310 |
Here's everything you need to know about Magic vs. Cavaliers on Friday, November 1 — our expert prediction and betting picks for today's game.
The unbeaten Cleveland Cavaliers host the 3-2 Orlando Magic in a game between young Eastern Conference teams who made the playoffs last year and are looking to take another step forward.
After suffering a torn oblique, the Magic will be without star Paolo Banchero for a while, putting them in a tough spot against a team that has been firing on all cylinders to start the season.
Orlando Magic
The Magic are coming off a three-point loss at Chicago but have otherwise gotten off to a solid start, with victories over the Pacers, Nets and Heat on their resume.
But that was all with Banchero.
The No. 1 overall pick in the '22 draft was averaging 29 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game this season, and dropped a 50/13/9 line against the Pacers earlier in the week, and now the Magic will have to figure out how to play without their superstar.
The Magic do have three other players averaging in double figures, with Franz Wagner scoring 17.8, Jalen Suggs 16.8 and Moritz Wagner adding 11 per game off the bench.
Wendell Carter Jr. is leading the team with 10.4 rebounds per game, and as a team, the Magic are in the top 10 for rebound percentage and top-five in defensive rating. They are in the middle of the pack in offensive rating, though, and their average of 112.2 points per game is in the lower half of the league.
The Magic do average nearly 43 3-point attempts per game, with 10 players attempting at least two per contest. Suggs leads the way with eight per game while Banchero (6.4), Wagner (5.6) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (4.8) all firing away from deep.
What the Magic will look like offensively without their focal point is anyone's guess, as Banchero was taking more than 19 shots per game. Franz Wagner and Suggs figure to see an uptick in attempts, and Jonathan Isaac is likely to receive more minutes, too.
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs are proving how little preseason matters because after dropping each of their exhibition games, they have started the regular season off by winning five straight. Their most recent victory, a 134-110 demolition of the Los Angeles Lakers, was an impressive effort that showcased all this young team can be.
Evan Mobley led the team with 25 points, and on the season, he is averaging 19.2 points per game. Donovan Mitchell, who leads the team in scoring, finished with 24 and Jarrett Allen added 20 to go along with his 17 rebounds.
Three other players scored in double figures, with Caris LeVert (16), Ty Jerome (14) and Darius Garland (12) all contributing offense for a team that made 57.7 percent of its shots, including 17-of-41 3s.
While an impressive performance, it wasn't necessarily an outlier. Led by Mitchell and Mobley, Cleveland has six players averaging in double figures while making about 15-of-36 attempted 3-point shots per game. Through five games, the Cavs have the league's best offensive rating, with the third-best assist ratio and a top-10 pace of play.
The Cavs average 125.6 points per game, which is second only to the Boston Celtics. They are also top-five in the NBA in defensive rating and are holding opponents to just 44 percent shooting.
Magic vs. Cavaliers
Betting Pick & Prediction
The Banchero injury means the Magic are a bit of a wild card, although likely not a particularly good or intimidating one. The Cavaliers are 7.5 favorites, and given that they've won just one game this season by less than that margin, it seems like a good bet to make, especially with them playing at home.
