Top-rated sportsbooks have released their NBA odds for today’s game between the Magic and Cavaliers.
Backed by OddsTrader’s Computer AI and by my handicapping, I will recommend hitting the “over”.
For a full slate of NBA Playoffs best bets, head over to:
And don’t forget to check out more NBA picks on our YouTube channel. Today, our expert covered the Suns vs. Timberwolves and Pacers vs. Bucks games.
NBA Pick
- Magic-Cavaliers Over 207.5 (-110) at Bet365 (check our Bet365 Review)
Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Saturday, April 20, 2024 – 01:00 PM ET at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Intuitively, the total set for this game feels very low. Our computers agree: they are projecting this game to go “over” by a clear margin.
Orlando’s Road Defense
A significant reason why today’s posted total feels too low is that it does a poor job of reflecting the current state of Orlando’s defense. Markets are slow to adjust, and it is showing.
Throughout the season, it is true that Orlando’s defense has been excellent. However, it is a long season, and one phase of a team’s season will often not reflect at all how the team has performed in the season looked at as a whole.
It is not only, however, a matter of bad form. It is not just a random reality that Orlando is performing poorly right now. The Magic are struggling, specifically on the road, to defend well. Their composure has been lacking in these games that mattered more as the season came to a conclusion.
This lack of composure makes sense given the youthfulness of this team. I do not find it reasonable to expect them, now that the playoffs are beginning, to suddenly find their composure on the road.
The Numbers
Let’s make everything concrete and simple: the Magic have given up 117 points or more in each of their last four road games. It’s not like they are just having the bad luck of facing great teams. Even Charlotte, with its third-to-last-ranked offense, has contributed to this trend.
Given this trend, it is reasonable to expect Cleveland to score around 120 points today. This leaves Orlando with very little work to do in order to hit the “over.”
Orlando reliably flies past 90 points even against the toughest defenses, so it will easily help the “over” hit today.
NBA Pick: Magic-Cavaliers Over 207.5 (-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.
*21+ Seek help with a gambling addiction at 1-800-Gambler
