Clevleand Cavaliers vs. Orlando Magic: Prediction and odds for Monday, Dec. 11 (Back Orlando at home)
By Jovan Alford
The Orlando Magic will try to get some revenge on the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night at the Amway Center. These two teams just played each other last week in Cleveland, where the Cavaliers won 121-111.
Second-year forward Paolo Banchero went off for a career-high 42 points but it was not enough to lead his team to a win.
Orlando opened as a 3.5-point home favorite over Cleveland despite losing to them last week in Cleveland. However, it now sits at 1.5 points ahead of tip-off tonight.
Here are the odds and our best bet for Cleveland-Orlando:
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Cavaliers vs. Magic odds, spread and total
Cavaliers vs. Magic how to watch
- Date: Monday, Dec. 11
- Game Time: 7:00 p.m. EST
- Venue: Amway Center
- How to Watch (TV): Bally Sports Florida, Bally Sports Ohio
- Cavaliers Record: 13-9
- Magic Record: 15-7
Cavaliers vs. Magic injury reports
Cleveland Cavaliers injury report
- Ty Jerome – out
- Caris LeVert – out
- Evan Mobley – out
Orlando Magic injury report
- Wendell Carter Jr. – out
- Markelle Fultz – out
- Kevon Harris – out
- Jonathan Isaac – questionable (Jamahl Mosley and the Magic announced Jonathan Isaac will be available for the game)
- Jalen Suggs – questionable
Cavaliers vs. Magic key players to watch
Cleveland Cavaliers
Donovan Mitchell: The 27-year-old two-guard is having another tremendous season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 27.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. He had a double-double consisting of 27 points and 13 rebounds in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 12-point win over the Miami Heat last week.
Before the Cavs took down the Heat, they defeated the Magic 121-111 two days earlier at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. Mitchell led Cleveland with 35 points (12 for 24 shooting, 5 for 10 from three), seven rebounds and six assists.
Orlando Magic
Paolo Banchero: Paolo Banchero dominated the Cleveland Cavaliers' front court last week, scoring a career-high 42 points (16 for 26 shooting, 9 for 12 onf ree throws) and grabbing six rebounds. It was an outstanding performance from last year's No. 1 overall pick, who has picked up where he left off over the summer in the FIBA World Cup.
This season, Banchero is averaging 20.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. It would not be surprising to see the former Duke standout stay aggressive against this Cavaliers’ frontcourt, as they will be without Mobley.
Cavaliers vs. Magic prediction and pick
The Orlando Magic have been one of the surprise stories in the NBA, as they have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference with the Milwaukee Bucks (15-7). Orlando has taken care of business at home this season (10-2 and 10-1 at the Amway Center) and won eight straight games at Amway Center.
During their eight-game winning streak, Orlando is averaging 124.6 points per game and outscoring their opponents by 15.6 points.
Along with their offense, the Magic are one of the better defensive teams in the NBA as they are ranked second in defensive rating (109.1 points allowed per 100 possessions) and sixth in opponents' points per game (109.6 points allowed per game).
The Cleveland Cavaliers are a good defensive team, as well. They are ranked within the top 10 of defensive rating (111.5 points allowed per 100 possessions, eighth in the league) and opponents’ points per game (110.6 points allowed per game, seventh in the league).
However, Cleveland can struggle to score points, which is puzzling because they have Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Max Strus
As previously mentioned, the Cavaliers will not have Mobley, which is a significant advantage for the Magic on both ends of the floor.
The total seems like the best bet because you have two good defensive teams. But I will take the Magic on the money line as I believe Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner can continue their success at home.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.