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Orlando Magic at Cleveland Cavaliers (April 28, 2021): 3 Things To Watch, Odds and Prediction

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - JANUARY 04: Cole Anthony #50 of the Orlando Magic looks to pass the ball as Larry Nance Jr. #22 of the Cleveland Cavaliers defends during the first half at Amway Center on January 04, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - JANUARY 04: Cole Anthony #50 of the Orlando Magic looks to pass the ball as Larry Nance Jr. #22 of the Cleveland Cavaliers defends during the first half at Amway Center on January 04, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic hit the road to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers in a game of two teams at the bottom of the NBA’s standings.

Orlando Magic (18-43) at Cleveland Cavaliers (21-40)

Time/TV: 7 p.m./Bally Sports Florida
WATCH MAGIC-CAVALIERS ON FUBO TV
FOLLOW LIVE @OMAGICDAILY
Line: Cavaliers by 3.5
Tickets: $6-$186 on StubHub
2021 Season Series: Magic 103, Cavaliers 83 in Orlando on Jan. 4; Magic 105, Cavaliers 94 in Orlando on Jan. 6; Tonight in Cleveland

PaceOff. Rtg.Def. Rtg.eFG%O.Reb.%TO%FTR
Orlando98.9105.1113.649.225.012.823.2
Cleveland97.9105.4112.351.227.715.625.3

OMD Prediction

The Orlando Magic say they want to finish their season strong. They say they want the games to be learning and growing experiences for their young players. They say they want all of this. But they have yet to put pen to paper, so to speak. Any little breath of progress is halted quickly and the team does not see any permanent or progressing growth.

Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers was the best game the team had played in a week. They showed fight and they played like the hungrier team. And that forced the Lakers to raise their level of play to meet them. This is how the Magic always needed to play. The question then for Orlando is how do they build on that? The natural answer is to play with that effort again and pick up a win against a beatable team like the Cleveland Cavaliers. That will not be easy. But this is what the Magic must aim for.

105. 38. 102. 156. Prediction

3 Keys To Watch

Defensive intensity

In their first few games after the trade deadline, the Orlando Magic were hounding teams defensively. They were getting after teams and forcing turnovers. This felt like the way the Magic needed to play. This felt like how they would carve out an identity.

That never stuck. The Magic are last in the league in defensive rating, giving up 117.2 points per 100 possessions, since the trade deadline. They are still ninth in the league in opponent turnover rate (14.6-percent). But those are not translating into points — 15.6 points off turnovers per game (20th in the league) and 10.9 fast-break points per game (20th in the league).

That suggests the team is not tied together on either end. They are struggling to work together and be in the right spots defensively and they are struggling to turn their good moments defensively into easy offense. This is what organization is and where the team struggles.

Guard play

The Cleveland Cavaliers have a really strong backcourt in Collin Sexton and Darius Garland. The two young guards have had their ups and downs this year, but their potential and power have been felt throughout the course of the season. The two are combining for 42.2 points per game with Sexton averaging 24.5 points per game.

Cleveland does not get much offense outside the two of those. But Orlando’s biggest weakness has been its ability to defend on the wing. Cole Anthony is a rookie and has looked every bit of it defensively. He has gotten burned by point guards even if he is willing to compete on the defensive end. Dennis Schroder definitely took him to school in the fourth quarter for the win. Anthony has a huge challenge here defensively.

Cole’s world

But, this should not be a post that puts down or questions Cole Anthony. Anthony has played really well since returning from injury and has shown legitimate growth in what he has called his “second season.” Anthony really has shown a better understanding of how to pace himself through half-court action.

Next. Injuries have kept Orlando Magic fighting together. dark

His efficiency has helped too. While his 3-point shooting has still been down, he has been better finishing at the rim and as a passer. That development as a passer — 6.8 assists per game in his last five games. That development as a passer is probably the skill to grow that will serve him best. His scoring will always be there and that will get better as he gets into his first offseason. But the passing really unlocks him as a potentially special player.