Orlando Magic at Cleveland Cavaliers (Dec. 2, 2022): 3 Things To Watch, Odds and Prediction
The injury-depleted Orlando Magic hit the road to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first of two difficult road games for the team.
Orlando Magic (5-17) at Cleveland Cavaliers (14-8)
Time/TV: 7:30 p.m./Bally Sports Florida
WATCH MAGIC-CAVALIERS ON FUBO TV
FOLLOW LIVE: @OMAGICDAILY
Line: Cavaliers by 10.5
Tickets: $10-$1,715 on StubHub
Season Series: Cavaliers 103, Magic 92 in Cleveland on Oct. 26; Tonight in Cleveland; April 4 in Orlando; April 6 in Orlando
| Pace | Off. Rtg. | Def. Rtg. | eFG% | O.Reb.% | TO% | FTR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orlando | 98.7 | 109.3 | 115.4 | 53.3 | 28.0 | 16.7 | 29.2 |
| Cleveland | 96.4 | 114.3 | 107.5 | 55.1 | 28.5 | 15.2 | 28.2 |
OMD Prediction
Injuries are still a big story. There is no getting around it. And Wendell Carter’s absence has been a major drain on the Orlando Magic. They still do not know if they will have Mo Bamba for this one. He is a game-time decision with back spasms.
The Cleveland Cavaliers will be shorthanded in their frontcourt too. Jarrett Allen is OUT with a back contusion and Kevin Love is QUESTIONABLE a right thumb fracture.
That might give the team some respite because of Orlando’s struggles on the glass. But this is still a game that should press on the Magic’s weaknesses. Especially coming out of Wednesday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks.
Orlando is going to have to be focused and dominate the simple to win this one.
111. 156. Prediction. 100. 38
3 Keys To Watch
Rebounding again
We have highlighted rebounding in this space seemingly every game. It is something that just needs to be on repeat over and over again.
Before Nov. 16 (the last game Wendell Carter played before going out with a plantar fascia strain), the team was ninth in the league in defensive rebound rate. Since then, including the game Carter played against the Chicago Bulls, the Magic are 26th in the league in defensive rebound rate.
That says everything you need to know about the team’s problems since Carter went out. And how no one has seemingly stepped up to fill in what has been missing with Carter out.
Mo Bamba has increased his rebounding average but still hovers around five per game. Bol Bol has increased his rebounding, but the eye test says he has struggled. Paolo Banchero has really struggled on the glass.
Everyone needs to step up to gang rebound and be in the right spots defensively to give themselves a chance. This team cannot get beat on second-chance opportunities.
Going big
The Cleveland Cavaliers are one of the teams that have helped spearhead the revival of big lineups. The versatility that Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen have provided has transformed the Cavaliers completely. They are able to defend the rim and have the ability to stick on the perimeter too.
At worst, the team is always able to funnel things where one of them is in the paint to challenge at the rim and in the paint. This is something the Orlando Magic are thinking about to some extent with their interchangeable forwards and size the team has. It is part of the general trend of going big.
The Cavaliers have figured out how to do it better than the Magic for sure. Somewhat because of Mobley’s overall versatility as a center but also because they have guards in Darius Garland and now Donovan Mitchell who can cause havoc on the perimeter.
Size matters. But perimeter play does too.
Pace of Play
A big change for the Orlando Magic that both Markelle Fultz and Cole Anthony may add is to increase the team’s pace. The Magic are averaging a pace of 98.7 possessions per 48 minutes. With both Markelle Fultz and Cole Anthony on Wednesday, the team played at a pace of 107 possessions per 48 minutes (and were around 102 for the game itself).
The Magic have been the worst team at fast-break points per game this season. And so the increase in pace and the ability to get up the floor quickly is going to be key for this young team. This is one area where there has been relief.
Next. First Quarter MVP: Franz Wagner gave it all. dark
One thing that may work in Orlando’s favor in this game is that Cleveland is a very slow-paced team. The Cavaliers play at a pace of 96.4 possessions per 48 minutes. That may keep the game close for the Magic. Orlando has had some success against slow-pace teams — defeating the Dallas Mavericks and Brooklyn Nets among the low-possession teams in the league.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.