The rising Orlando Magic pay the Cleveland Cavaliers a visit in downtown Ohio in a battle of young, high-potential teams.
Catch the game tomorrow at 8:00 AM, Manila time.
AWAY: Orlando Magic (14-6, 5-4 AWAY)
Projected starting five:
- Anthony Black
- Jalen Suggs
- Franz Wagner
- Paolo Banchero
- Goga Bitadze
The Magic just got their nine-game winning streak snapped, but things are still looking up as they are filled with confidence from a hot run. They are scoring 119.0 points per game in that span with a +7.0 net rating.
Youthful energy is all across the Orlando locker room, from stud forwards Paolo Banchero (19.5 PPG) and Franz Wagner (20.7 PPG), to guards Cole Anthony (15.2 PPG) and Jalen Suggs (12.8 PPG, 1.9 SPG). While Banchero appears to be the most promising, Wagner is consistent in his improvement every single season, and is currently the team’s top scorer. He’s also scorching over his last four games, posting 28.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists on 59.7% shooting.
Anthony and Suggs will provide support as downhill guards, with the former being a scorer and the latter being more of a two-way weapon.
HOME: Cleveland Cavaliers (11-9, 5-6 HOME)
Projected starting five:
- Darius Garland
- Donovan Mitchell
- Max Strus
- Evan Mobley
- Jarrett Allen
The Cavs are coming off a 110-101 win over the lowly Detroit Pistons. They are 7-3 in their last 10 games, averaging 110.9 points with a +2.5 net rating.
As always, it’s the dynamic backcourt of Donovan Mitchell (27.1 PPG) and Darius Garland (19.3 PPG, 5.9 APG, 1.5 SPG), and the defensive twin towers of Evan Mobley (16.0 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 1.7 BPG) and Jarrett Allen (13.8 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 1.1 BPG), who will take much of the attention. It somehow mirrors what Orland has.
Swingmen Caris LeVert (14.3 PPG, day-to-day) and Max Strus (14.4 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 4.0 APG) are someone to look out for as well, with the latter having two 20-plus point games in his last four outings.
PREDICTION:
Handicap: The Cavs (-4.5) don’t cover the spread.
Over/Under: The total goes over 222.5
