Cleveland Cavaliers Vs. Orlando Magic: Predictions, Starting Lineups (1/22/24)
The Orlando Magic finally have Franz Wagner back in their starting lineup. Can Wagner help the Magic get back on the right track in their home matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Check out our Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Orlando Magic predictions and betting picks below to find out!
Cleveland Cavaliers Vs. Orlando Magic Prediction
Even though the Cleveland Cavaliers have been without two of their best players, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, for 15 and 19 games, respectively, they are still hanging on to fourth place in a tough Eastern Conference.
Interestingly enough, the Cavs are 13-6 and boast the fourth-highest net rating and second-lowest (best) defensive rating in their past 19 games. Everyone has stepped up and contributed on both ends of the floor, perfectly exemplified by the Cavs’ last win against Atlanta, when they had seven players score in double-digits.
On the other side, the Orlando Magic finally have Franz Wagner back in the lineup; he had missed the team’s past eight games before finally returning in their last bout against the Miami Heat.
In that stretch, Orlando struggled, winning just three of its eight games. Further, the Magic only shot 44.1% from the field, which was the fourth-lowest field goal percentage of any team in the NBA during that period. Additionally, Wendell Carter Jr. also missed five of the team’s past nine games, which gave Orlando a thin frontcourt.
There is little doubt about it: this game is going to be tight the whole way, as Orlando is healthy again and the Cavaliers have quietly been playing some of the best basketball of any team in the past month. Still, we seem to be getting a bit of a discount on Orlando because it hit a rough stretch without Wagner.
Look past the impressive aforementioned 13-6 record momentarily: Cleveland ranks just 19th in 3P% and FG% in its past 19 games. Those are not numbers that can knock off this pesky Magic team that defends the perimeter and rebounds at a near-elite level. As a matter of fact, Orlando just held a fully loaded Heat team that ranks eighth in 3P% in the NBA to 87 points on a team shooting split of 37/32/83. Thank goodness for free-throws, I guess.
Regardless, it is remarkable what inserting Wagner back into this starting lineup can do, and the fact we can get Orlando’s Moneyline at almost plus-money against a Cleveland team without Garland and Mobley is astounding.
Cleveland Cavaliers Vs. Orlando Magic Prediction: Magic Moneyline (-105)
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Cleveland Cavaliers Vs. Orlando Magic Best Odds
The sportsbooks predict this game to be close to a coin flip, as the Cleveland Cavaliers are narrow one-point road favorites on Monday night against the Orlando Magic. Cleveland has Moneyline odds of -115, while the Magic are -105 to win outright on their home floor. The point total for this matchup hangs around 215 points, which is an extremely low Over/Under for an NBA game; however, it should be noted that both teams are in the bottom ten in the NBA in pace.
Cleveland Cavaliers Starting Lineup
PG: Donovan Mitchell
SG: Max Strus
SF: Isaac Okoro
PF: Dean Wade
C: Jarrett Allen
Orlando Magic Starting Lineup
PG: Anthony Black
SG: Jalen Suggs
SF: Franz Wagner
PF: Paolo Banchero
C: Wendell Carter Jr.
Cleveland Cavaliers Vs. Orlando Magic Injuries
Cleveland has a wide array of injuries it has been dealing with recently, including two players in its starting lineup. Darius Garland (jaw), Evan Mobley (knee), and Ty Jerome (ankle) will all continue to miss time for the Cavaliers; Caris LeVert is questionable with a wrist injury, so stay updated on his status throughout the day.
Meanwhile, Orlando finally has Franz Wagner back in the lineup, but still won’t have Gary Harris (calf) available. Cole Anthony tweaked his ankle in the Magic’s last matchup and is listed as day-to-day; however, the most recent reports indicate that he will be available to play.
