Cleveland Cavaliers vs Orlando Magic-The Orlando Magic lost their first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers by a score of 96-86 in Monday’s Game 2. Orlando has failed to crack 90 points in the playoffs thus far, and the Magic’s scoring woes put them in a huge hole as the series shifts to Orlando for Games 3 and 4.
The Magic are actually slight favorites at -120 on the moneyline and 1.5 points on the spread for Thursday’s Game 3 at Cavaliers vs. Magic odds.
There was concern that Orlando’s lack of dynamic scoring outside of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner would cause problems against a better defensive team in Cleveland, but the Magic’s offensive results in this series have somehow been worse than expected.
Jamahl Mosley’s team is averaging 84.5 points per game while shooting just under 40% from the field and 30% from three. The Magic didn’t set any NBA scoring records with their performance in the postseason, that’s for sure.
But, perhaps most importantly for the Magic, the Cavaliers haven’t clicked offensively…but they’re comfortably up 2-0. Cleveland shot just 41.5% from the field in Game 2 and went 12 for 39 from three-point range.
So, if Orlando can’t deal with the Cavaliers’ own offensive struggles, the Magic are in a really bad position if Cleveland starts scoring at a somewhat efficient level.
Jarrett Allen continues to dominate
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Orlando Magic-Somewhat surprisingly, the best player on the floor in Games 1 and 2 was Cleveland center Jarrett Allen. He had 16 points and 18 rebounds in Game 1 and was able to outdo himself in Game 2, posting 16 points and 20 rebounds with three blocks.
Allen mostly neutralized Orlando bigs Jonathan Isaac and Wendell Carter Jr. and provided elite rim protection that hurt the Magic’s ability to get to the basket.
The Cavaliers vs. Magic odds are leaning on Allen having an off-night in Game 3 with Orlando finally able to make some outside shots. The 7-footer, when he’s on, is one of the best shot-blockers in the NBA and that, combined with Cleveland’s athletic and versatile defenders, makes it difficult for the Cavaliers to score in the paint.
Orlando may have to start getting creative by trying to pull Allen away from the basket to open up lanes to the hoop. Well, it all starts with outside shooting because if the Magic continue to struggle so much from three, Cleveland will have no reason to defend the perimeter.
Only one game separated these teams in the NBA standings during the regular season, but the way this series has played out, it certainly doesn’t seem that way.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Orlando Magic-Magic needs to limit turnovers
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Orlando Magic-One thing the Magic have actually excelled at against the Cavaliers is forcing turnovers. Orlando has forced 32 turnovers so far while committing only 28 themselves. This disparity allowed the Magic to keep up with Cleveland somewhat in terms of consistency despite how poorly the Magic shot the basketball and, accordingly, lost the rebounding battle as a result.
If Orlando is going to cover the Cleveland Cavaliers vs Orlando Magic odds in Game 3, the Magic must continue to pressure Cleveland and force mistakes.
This can lead to some easy points on the fast break and limits the amount of possessions the other team has. Cleveland Cavaliers vs Orlando Magic: However, Orlando needs to cut down on its own mistakes in the halfcourt because the Magic simply can’t afford to throw away possessions with how bad their offense has been.
The 16 turnovers and 36% shooting they committed from the field in Game 2 won’t cut it. You can deal with high turnovers if the offense moves the ball and create shots or you have a low efficiency offense with few turnovers, but both are a recipe for disaster at the same time.
For the Magic, the answer to the question of when the basketball season will end is, unfortunately, going to be sometime next week unless they clear things up soon. They don’t have the luxury of time to fix these issues as they are already down 2-0.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Orlando Magic-Take over
While it’s tough to call the Cavaliers going up 3-0 or the Magic cutting a series deficit to 2-1, even with how tough the betting line is, the decision to bet on point totals is a little easier. The total is an abysmal 198.5 points after the totals in Games 1 and 2 went down easily.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Orlando Magic-Odds are that the Magic or Cavaliers will find their offensive groove on Thursday after both teams struggled early in the series.
So, with such a small number, consider taking responsibility. These teams have talented scorers who have yet to make it. In today’s NBA, that low of a total is too tempting to pass up [Cleveland Cavaliers vs Orlando Magic].