Cavaliers vs Magic Odds, Spread & Picks (April 6)

• The Cavaliers and Magic meet on Thursday evening
• Cleveland just reached 50 wins on Tuesday but will sit most of its starters against Orlando
• Keep reading for the Cavaliers vs Magic odds and prediction

The Cleveland Cavaliers (50-30, 19-21 away) already know their first-round opponent in the playoffs but they will be motivated to finish the regular season on a high note. For example, Thursday’s matchup with the Orlando Magic (34-45, 20-20 home) at the Amway Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 PM ET.

The Cavs just beat Orlando 117-113 on Tuesday. However, they are sitting basically all of their main stars here, including Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen.

Cavaliers vs Magic Odds

With Cleveland shorthanded, the Magic are 7.5-point favorites with moneyline odds of -278 for an implied win probability of 73.54%. The Cavs come back at +220. The visitors have won all three meetings in 2022-23.

Odds as of April 5th at BetMGM. Claim a BetMGM promo code today.

Cavs Rolling Into Postseason

Cleveland has already locked down the No. 4 seed in the NBA Playoff Bracket and will face the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. With just two games left, the Cavs are essentially preparing for that series, which isn’t going to begin until April 15th.

Mitchell, who will be a spectator Thursday, led the way against Orlando Tuesday, erupting for 43 points. It was his fourth outing in a row where the guard scored 40+. Darius Garland also dropped 16 points and dished out 10 dimes.

Donovan Mitchell is only the 4th player over the last 25 seasons to record 4 straight 40+ point games. He joins:

James Harden (2018-19)
Russell Westbrook (2016-17)
Kobe Bryant (6 different times) pic.twitter.com/JlZ1u6Bhpv

— NBA History (@NBAHistory) April 5, 2023

JB Bickerstaff’s squad was lights out from deep, draining 48% of their triples. Caris LeVert was 5 for 6 on his own from beyond the arc, while Spida went 5 for 9. Despite getting outplayed inside, their efficiency from a shooting standpoint proved to be a difference-maker, also going 18 for 20 from the charity stripe.

This upcoming contest presents an opportunity for role players like Ricky Rubio, Dean Wade, Sam Merrill, and Cedi Osman to step up and keep Cleveland competitive. After all, the bench will be important come postseason time.

Promising Future Ahead For Orlando

The Magic aren’t good enough to make the play-in tournament but there are definitely some positive takeaways from the season for them. Orlando was 22-60 in 2021-22. In 2022-23, they’re 34-45. That alone is an improvement.

Paolo Banchero is undoubtedly winning Rookie of the Year after a magnificent Year 1, averaging 20 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists on 42% shooting from the field. Franz Wagner is also putting up 18 PPG. These two are legitimate building blocks for the franchise.

tha rook pic.twitter.com/TqYsJblXUi

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) April 5, 2023

You also have Wendell Carter Jr, Markelle Fultz, and Cole Anthony, among others, who can all get a bucket. The Magic come into Thursday with a 6-4 record in their last 10 games and have a great opportunity to win here with Cleveland playing most of their bench pieces.

The Nets and Heat follow to finish out the campaign for Orlando, with both matchups coming on the road.

Cavaliers vs Magic Prediction

The injury report says it all. Orlando isn’t sitting anyone, while the Cavs are. I expect the Magic to come out on top in their final home game, with Banchero and the younger Wagner likely leading the charge. Just to be safe, take the moneyline.

Pick: Magic moneyline (-278)