Orlando Magic vs Cleveland Cavaliers: Analysis and Prediction –Orlando Magic will host Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA playoffs.
Orlando Magic vs Cleveland Cavaliers Odds
Orlando Magic Team News
The Orlando Magic entered this playoff with realistic hopes of advancing to the second round, as the Cleveland Cavaliers seemed like suitable opponents. However, so far, the Orlando Magic team hasn’t shown much in the first two games and rightfully trail 2-0.
Throughout the season, the biggest issue for the Orlando Magic has been their offense and the inability to consistently connect on three-pointers. During the regular season, only Joe Ingles had a three-point shooting percentage above 40%, but on a very small sample size. As a team, their three-point shooting percentage was around 35%. In the first two games of this series, they’ve further worsened that percentage, which is now at 23.6%. When Jonathan Isaac and Wendell Carter Junior attempt 13 three-pointers, it’s clear that the primary plan isn’t working. Wendell Carter, along with Cole Anthony, has been the biggest disappointment in this playoff, as they’ve performed significantly worse than in the regular season. Paolo Banchero is maintaining his regular-season level, as is Franz Wagner, but the key players are still expected to step up compared to the regular season. Of course, due to their teammates not being great shooters, there’s less room for them to maneuver. It’s worth noting that Wagner is in terrible shooting form and has been shooting below 20% from three-point range since the All-Star break.
It’s evident that the Orlando Magic team is unlikely to turn this series around in this manner. We believe there will be some tactical changes and adjustments. If they manage to control defensive rebounds and then utilize transition plays, the team could secure a victory in this match.
Cleveland Cavaliers Team News
The Cleveland Cavaliers entered the playoffs in inconsistent form, but in the first two games, they showed that it hasn’t disrupted them, comfortably retaining the home-court advantage in the series. If they continue at a similar pace, this series could end very quickly.
The difference between these two teams lies in the fact that the Cleveland Cavaliers have Donovan Mitchell. He has demonstrated with the Utah Jazz that when given the authority, he can score a significant number of points in the playoffs. The Orlando Magic don’t have such a player, and while Mitchell hasn’t performed at his peak level, which is certainly good news for the guests, the Cleveland Cavaliers are effectively exploiting their opponents’ inability to make three-pointers and are doubling up on their best players, Banchero and Wagner, who can’t create an advantage over their direct defenders. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has significantly shortened the rotation and is practically playing with eight players in these games. The potential X-factor for the Cavaliers lies in George Niang, who shot close to 40% from three-point range during the season but has yet to make a three-pointer in these two games.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have a clear goal: to secure at least one win in the next two away games and thus have the opportunity to finish the series at home. To achieve this, another player besides Donovan Mitchell must step up and provide support.
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Orlando Magic vs Cleveland Cavaliers H2H
This will be the seventh match between these two teams this season, with the Cleveland Cavaliers having the upper hand, winning four games.
Absences and Injuries
Tip-off Time: Friday, 26.04.2024, 01:30 CET
Prediction: Orlando Magic to win
Odds: 1.80
Sportsbook: 22Bet
*Odds are active at the time the article is published
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