Orlando Magic at Cleveland Cavaliers (Nov. 27, 2021): 3 Things To Watch, Odds and Prediction
The Orlando Magic are back on the road following a 35-point loss to the Chicago Bulls as they meet the Cleveland Cavaliers and returning rookie Evan Mobley.
Orlando Magic (4-16) at Cleveland Cavaliers (9-10)
Time/TV: 8 p.m./Bally Sports Florida
WATCH MAGIC-CAVALIERS ON FUBO TV
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Line via WynnBet: Cavaliers by 8
Tickets: $10-$197 on StubHub
2022 Season Series: Tonight in Cleveland; March 28 in Cleveland; April 5 in Orlando
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | 99.0 | 101.3 | 112.3 | 48.5 | 27.9 | 15.8 | 21.4 |
| Cleveland | 97.8 | 105.4 | 105.5 | 51.0 | 28.2 | 16.2 | 23.8 |
OMD Prediction
Figuring out what to expect from this Orlando Magic team is proving to be difficult. As the team hits the quarter mark of the season, that has been the most frustrating aspect of the year. Orlando has just lacked any consistency.
Some of that is due to injury — both long-term injuries and short-term injuries. Some of that is due to lack of experience and depth. But Orlando has to start carving out something it can rely on. At least, something it can say it is pretty good at.
This team to this point has looked decent in half-court defense. But they turn the ball over too much and struggle to stay organized in transition. And that ends up getting them buried in a deep lead. This team does not have the poise to get themselves out. Not consistently at least.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are clearly a step ahead of the Orlando Magic. They have a budding guard set for stardom in Darius Garland and good young bigs in Jarett Allen. Things have worked out really well. And getting Evan Mobley back tonight gives Cleveland an extra little push. They need it to break a five-game losing streak of their own.
Prediction. 95. 38. 104. 156
3 Keys To Watch
Jalen Suggs’ ups and downs
A quarter of the way through the season, the Orlando Magic are seeing Jalen Suggs begin to turn something that looks like a corner. His shooting is getting a bit more efficient as is his finishing around the rim too.
In his last six games, he is averaging 14.0 points per game and shooting 39.0-percent from the floor and 33.3-percent from beyond the arc. This includes scoring 14 points on 5-for-10 shooting in Friday’s loss to the Chicago Bulls. It was his first game shooting 50-percent or better in a game this season.
That is a good sign and Suggs is seemingly slowing the game down. Even if his shot selection can be spotty.
The bigger issue is his turnovers. And that has only come to the fore even more because he is playing as the point guard full-time with Cole Anthony out. Suggs’ five turnovers in the loss to the Bulls were fairly decisive.
Cole Anthony was listed as questionable for Friday’s game. So his return might be imminent. But it may not be today.
Return of Mobley
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been hurting since Evan Mobley went out with an elbow injury, losing all four games since he got hurt. Mobley though has been as good as any rookie in the league. He averaged 14.6 points and 8.0 rebounds per game before the injury. He was a stellar defender on top of that.
The Cavaliers lost the last game Mobley played and have lost the four games since. They have been against good opponents too — a rough road that has included the Brooklyn Nets and Golden State Warriors.
Cleveland is certainly still settling itself. But Mobley’s surprising play to start his career has been a big boost to Cleveland’s surprising start. They need him back, especially after Collin Sexton’s season-ending injury.
Love for Franz
Since this has been a post analyzing where each rookie in this game stands, Franz Wagner is easy to forget. That is mostly because what he has done goes beyond a box score. And Wagner has been incredibly impressive with his ability to change pace to get into the lane and get to the rim.
Wagner has hit a bit of a wall as defenses catch up to him. His scoring has been a bit inconsistent and his shooting percentages have started to go down.
That does not mean Wagner has not played well by any means. He was one of the few bright spots of the Orlando Magic’s loss to the Chicago Bulls on Friday. He remains one of the few bright spots for the team on a fairly nightly basis.
Next. Wendell Carter needs expanded offensive role. dark
It is still easy to forget him and take him for granted in many ways.