Top sportsbooks have released their NBA odds for Game 2 between the Magic and Cavaliers. For your NBA picks, I will recommend the Over.
My recommendation is backed by OddsTrader’s Computer AI and by my handicapping. Also, for more of today’s betting analysis, check out:
NBA Computer Pick: Over 202.5 (-110) at Bet365 (check our Bet365 Review)
Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Monday, April 22, 2024 – 07:00 PM ET at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Our computers project this to be a high-scoring game, and I agree. The total for this game is too low given what each offense is capable of doing.
Orlando’s Game 1 Performance
The Magic scored 83 points in Game 1. It is tempting to look at this outcome and to avoid playing the Over.
But if you look at the history of Orlando’s offensive duds in the regular season, you’ll see that the Magic reliably improve after such a poor performance.
For example, on April 10 they scored 99 points against Milwaukee. In their next game on April 22, they scored 113 points against a tougher Philadelphia defense.
Better from Deep
The key for Orlando is to shoot better from deep. In Game 1, the Magic shot 21.6 percent from behind the arc.
While, yes, they aren’t a good shooting team, they aren’t this bad. In the regular season, they shot over 35 percent from deep.
Their poor shooting caused a cascade of problems as, in addition to bricking threes, they became easier to defend inside as Cleveland’s defenders could focus on protecting the paint.
Better shooting will open things up for Orlando inside in addition to accumulating more three-pointers. Paolo Banchero, who scored 42 points in Cleveland on December 6 but whose shots were generally tightly contested in Game 1, will benefit especially.
Cleveland’s Offense
Cleveland’s offense likewise underperformed in Game 1. The Cavaliers shot poorly from deep yet, in the regular season, they made over 38 percent of their three-point attempts at home.
They scored 97 points despite not being pushed by Orlando’s offense – when the Magic came back, the Cavaliers woke up from their offensive slumber.
A better Orlando offense will keep them awake, allowing them to blow past 100 points. In fact, Cleveland exceeded 120 points twice in the regular season against Orlando.
NBA Computer Pick: Over 202.5 (-110) at Bet365
*The line and/or odds referenced in this article might have changed since the content was published. For the latest information on line movements, visit OddsTrader’s free betting odds tool.