The Cleveland Cavaliers (40-25) and Orlando Magic (35-28) will meet in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET from the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. The game will broadcast live on ESPN.
The Cavaliers are 3.5-point favorites over the Magic on the spread (Cavaliers -3.5), with the over/under set at 226 total points. Cleveland is a -165 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Orlando is +140 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Cavaliers vs. Magic predictions and NBA picks for Wednesday, March 11.
Cavaliers vs Magic Prediction, Picks
- Cavaliers vs Magic picks: Cavaliers -3.5 (-110), Under 226 (-110)
My Magic vs. Cavaliers best bets are on Cleveland to cover the spread and Under 226 total points. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Cavaliers vs Magic Odds
| Cavaliers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -110 | 226 -110o / -110u | -165 |
| Magic Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -110 | 226 -110o / -110u | +140 |
Cavaliers vs Magic NBA Preview
The Cavaliers have been red-hot lately, but oddly enough, they have failed to cover as road favorites in their last five games — and they are just 7-14 against the spread in that spot on the season overall.
The market power rating line on this is Cavaliers -3.5 with a standard two points for homecourt, and I make the spread Cavs -4.2.
The problem is that the Magic are playing some of their best basketball of the season, and the Cavaliers are just 5-6 ATS with James Harden.
The market hasn’t been right about either of these teams this season; they have both underperformed market expectations.
The Cavaliers attempt a lot of three-pointers and make a league-average amount, but they struggle to defend from three-point range.
The Magic take almost none and make even fewer, but they defend well against the long ball.
However, the Magic's inability to shoot means they need to get to the rim, and that’s a strength of the Cavaliers.
Cavaliers vs Magic Predictions, Betting Analysis
Cavaliers -3.5
The Cavaliers��� baseline offense should be enough to get this win as they continue to pursue homecourt advantage in the early rounds of the playoffs.
I’ll lay the points with Cleveland in tonight's matchup.
Under 226
The Cavaliers are the 3rd-highest Over team on the road this season, and Orlando is actually above league-average at home; 14th in home Over rate.
The Magic’s offense has shown some improvement lately, and their defense, while good, isn’t lockdown like it used to be.
However, the Under is 5-2 in Cavs' games when the total is 225 or lower. It's 2-0 in both Magic-Cavs matchups this season, and it's also 7-4 in Cavs' games with Harden.
The Magic's offense has played better recently and their defense is not as good as their reputation –and there’s a lot of evidence suggesting the market has overcompensated for those figures.
It’s a low total, but I’ll play the Under, with some trepidation.
Cavaliers vs Magic Best Bets
- Cavaliers -3.5 (-110)
- Under 226 (-110)
Spread
My main Cavaliers vs. Magic betting prediction in on Cleveland to cover the spread (-3.5).
Moneyline
No play on the moneyline in tonight's game.
Over/Under
I also like the Under at 226 total points.
