Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers take on Paolo Banchero and his Orlando Magic in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. After the teams split their season series 2-2, there's all to play for as the playoffs tip off. Can Orlando win their first playoff series since the Dwight Howard era?
Let's dive into all the NBA odds and find out.
2024 NBA Playoff Previews
- Eastern Conference: No. 1 Boston Celtics vs. No. 8 Miami Heat
- Eastern Conference: No. 2 New York Knicks vs. No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers
- Eastern Conference: No. 3 Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 6 Indiana Pacers
- Eastern Conference: No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 5 Orlando Magic
- Western Conference: No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 8 New Orleans Pelicans
- Western Conference: No. 2 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 7 Los Angeles Lakers
- Western Conference: No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves vs. No. 6 Phoenix Suns
- Western Conference: No. 4 Los Angeles Clippers vs. No. 5 Dallas Mavericks
(Related Link) NBA Playoff Betting History: Key Trends, Tips
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Orlando Magic Series Winner Odds
| Team | Moneyline |
|---|---|
| Cleveland Cavaliers | -205 |
| Orlando Magic | +164 |
After bowing out in five games to the New York Knicks in last year's playoffs, Cleveland enters this series as a heavy -205 favorite over the Orlando Magic.
Meanwhile the Magic make their first playoff appearance since 2019-20. They've won just two total postseason games over the last decade and will be looking for their first series victory since 2009-10.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Orlando Magic Hub
Cavaliers vs Magic Series Schedule
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Arena |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | April 20, 2024 | 1 p.m. | Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse |
| Game 2 | April 22, 2024 | 7 p.m. | Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse |
| Game 3 | April 25, 2024 | 7 p.m. | KIA Center |
| Game 4 | April 27, 2024 | 1 p.m. | KIA Center |
| Game 5 (If Necessary) | April 30, 2024 | TBD | Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse |
| Game 6 (If Necessary) | May 3, 2024 | TBD | KIA Center |
| Game 7 (If Necessary) | May 5, 2024 | TBD | Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse |
cleveland Cavaliers vs Orlando Magic Series Total Games Odds
| Total Games | Odds |
|---|---|
| 4 Games | +470 |
| 5 Games | +220 |
| 6 Games | +200 |
| 7 Games | +230 |
This marks the first ever playoff matchup between the Cavaliers and Magic. Oddsmakers currently have this series ending in six games.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Orlando Magic Series Prediction Odds
| Series Outcome | Odds |
|---|---|
| Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0 | +700 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers 4-1 | +340 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers 4-2 | +480 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers 4-3 | +410 |
| Orlando Magic 4-0 | +1700 |
| Orlando Magic 4-1 | +1000 |
| Orlando Magic 4-2 | +500 |
| Orlando Magic 4-3 | +800 |
Sportsbooks believe the Cavaliers will take down the Magic in either five or seven games. Intriguingly, the odds for each team to emerge victorious in six contests are about even. Considering the Cavs are -205 favorites to win the series, that's a very strange line.
Oddsmakers seem to be hedging - pointing towards the value on the underdog Magic.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Orlando Magic 2023-24 Spread and Total Betting History
| Date | Spread & Score Result | Total Points & Result |
|---|---|---|
| December 6, 2023 | Orlando 111 @ Cleveland 121 (-4.5) Cavs Cover | O/U 225 (232 OVER) |
| December 11, 2023 | Cleveland 94 @ Orlando 104 (-2.5) Magic Cover | O/U 225.5 (198 UNDER) |
| January 22, 2024 | Cleveland (-2.5) 126 @ Orlando 99 Cavs Cover | O/U 215 (225 OVER) |
| February 22, 2024 | Orlando 116 @ Cleveland 109 (-5) Magic Cover | O/U 214.5 (225 OVER) |
There's few discernible trends here. Cleveland and Orlando each covered the spread twice this year, with the winning team covering in each contest.
Further pushing the narrative that the young Magic hold their own against Cleveland, Orlando is 11-9 SU over their past 20 games against the Cavs. On top of that, the Magic finished the season an outstanding 51-31 ATS.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Orlando Magic Top Scorer Odds
| Player | Team | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Donovan Mitchell | Cleveland Cavaliers | -210 |
| Paulo Banchero | Orlando Magic | +300 |
| Franz Wagner | Orlando Magic | +1200 |
| Darius Garland | Cleveland Cavaliers | +1500 |
| Evan Mobley | Cleveland Cavaliers | +6500 |
| Jarrett Allen | Cleveland Cavaliers | +6500 |
| Max Strus | Cleveland Cavaliers | +10000 |
| Caris Levert | Cleveland Cavaliers | +10000 |
There's value on Banchero here at +300. If you believe in the Magic, getting Banchero at these odds is a great bet. The first time all-star averaged 22.6 points per game on 45% shooting on the year and has shown he's more than capable of taking over games for his team.
Cleveland Cavaliers Player To Watch: Donovan Mitchell
| Games (vs. Magic) | PTS | FG% | 3P% | REB | AST | STL | BLK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 27.3 | 44.3 | 35.7 | 4.3 | 7.3 | 2.6 | 0.3 |
As the Cavaliers greatest offensive force, Mitchell is undoubtedly the player to watch in this series.
The rugged Magic defense, including likely defensive first-team guard Jalen Suggs, will be focused on shutting Mitchell down. He dropped 35 against the Magic in December but has struggled down the stretch after suffering a bone bruise in his left knee. If Mitchell is anything less than 100% in this series, the Cavs will struggle to put up points.
Orlando Magic Player To Watch: Paolo Banchero
| Games (vs. Cavs) | PTS | FG% | 3P% | REB | AST | STL | BLK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 23 | 46.1 | 25 | 6.3 | 3.8 | 0.3 | 0.5 |
Former first overall pick Paolo Banchero has become an all-star in just his second NBA campaign.
He's the type of dangerous down hill bowling ball capable of bashing his way into the rim at any moment. Banchero's size and jumper remind some of Carmelo Anthony. The Magic will need everything their star sophomore can give them to win their first playoff series in 15 seasons.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs Orlando Magic Odds To Win Eastern Conference
| Team | Odds To Win East |
|---|---|
| Cleveland Cavaliers | +1600 |
| Orlando Magic | +6000 |
I'm not throwing away money on either of these teams to defeat some combination of the Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, and Philadelphia 76ers and emerge victorious from the Eastern Conference. Something truly special would have to occur for one of the Cavs or Magic to take down the much more talented and experienced Eastern Conference contenders.
Odds To Win NBA Championship
| Team | Odds To Win NBA Finals |
|---|---|
| Cleveland Cavaliers | +4900 |
| Orlando Magic | +16000 |
As evidence by their long odds, neither one of these teams is expected to challenge for the NBA Championship this season.
Expert Prediction: Orlando Magic +164, Orlando Magic win series 4-2 (+500)
I'm hopping on the Orlando Magic train. The Magic lineup of Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr., Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs and Gary Harris generated at +12.5 net rating per 100 possessions while sharing the floor. That number far exceeds the any setup the Cavaliers can throw out there.
On top of that, Mitchell has been uncharacteristically shaky since the All-Star break, shooting under 34% on pull up threes and failing to attack the rim with his usual gusto. I like the Magic's third-ranked defense (110.8 points given up per 100 possessions) to give the stuggling Cavaliers fits. Bet on Orlando to pull off the upset.
