The Cleveland Cavaliers can go for the virtual kill in the series this Friday against the Orlando Magic, as a win in Game 3 would sound the death knell for the Orlando Magic. But will the Magic prevent a potential sweep by finally scoring a win in the playoffs?

Catch this game live on Friday, April 26, 2024 at 7:00 AM, Manila time

Away: Cleveland Cavaliers (2-0)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Darius Garland
  • Donovan Mitchell
  • Max Strus
  • Evan Mobley
  • Jarrett Allen

The lights aren’t too bright this time around in the playoffs for Jarrett Allen and the Cavaliers. They are in cruise control after winning the first two games of the series which were both played at home. Coming off a 96-86 win in Game 2 last Tuesday, the Cavs will look to continue rolling this Friday down in Florida. 

Allen has been amazing, to say the least in the series thus far. He is averaging a double-double of 16.0 points and 19.0 rebounds through two games. His rebounding, in particular, has played a big role in Cleveland’s success, as the Cavs are winning the rebounding battle in the series by a large margin. They are averaging 51.0 rebounds to just 40.5 by the Magic. The Cavs’ on-ball defense is also clicking apparently, as they are limiting Orlando to just 34.3 percent shooting from the floor.

The Cavs are 2-1-1 against the spread in their last four games in Orlando.

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Home: Orlando Magic (0-2)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Jalen Suggs
  • Gary Harris
  • Franz Wagner
  • Paolo Banchero
  • Jonathan Isaac

The Magic are going to need to pull a rabbit out of their hat, so to speak. They will also have to start coaxing a more efficient offense from Paolo Banchero. He is averaging 22.5 points per game in the series on 48.6 FG%, but he’s also turning the ball over 7.5 times per outing. 

That is not ideal for the Magic, considering how much their attack is predicated on giving the ball to Banchero. Another Magic who needs to get out of a slump is Franz Wagner, who shot like it’s the 2021 NCAA Tournament Elite Eight round all over again in Game 2, going just 5/17 from the field for an inefficient 18 points. Orlando is hoping that being back home will kickstart Wagner’s offense, as he averaged 20.0 points on 50.5 FG% in games in Disneyland back in the regular season. 

The Magic have covered the spread 27 times in 40 home games to date this season.

Picks

Spread: Orlando Magic (-2.5)

Over/Under: Over (198.5)

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