Orlando Magic vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction, Odds and Picks for Today, 03/16/25

Paolo Banchero has been heating up for the Orlando Magic, but his team has failed to convert that into wins. Since the All-Star break the Magic have failed to connect consecutive wins, winning only 4 out of 12 games. That has put them in a difficult situation in the East standings, catching the 6th seed looks like a mission impossible at the moment with the Pistons being 6 games ahead with 14 left to be played. A play-in tournament scenario looks more likely for this Magic team, they face another uphill battle against the Cavaliers this Sunday. Cleveland dominated the two meetings by 11 and 40 points earlier in the year, there is not a lot of optimism among the Magic ranks going into this game.

Cleveland is the hottest team in the league right now with 16 wins in a row. They are not only winning these games, but they’re doing it in convincing fashion as well. Only the Warriors have a better Net Rating post All-Star break, Cleveland ranks 3rd on offense and 2nd in defense as far as efficiency goes. Donovan Mitchell sat out the last 2 wins over the Nets and Grizzlies, he is listed as questionable here as well with a groin issue. Evan Mobley could join him on the sidelines due to a minor right foot problem, he had a really solid 22 points and 11 rebounds in the win over Memphis the other day. Cleveland is currently on a run of 5 straight wins vs the Magic in games played at Rocket Arena.

All numbers are pointing to a convincing Cavaliers win here, but let’s not underestimate the importance of this game for the Magic. They still have a chance to catch the Hawks in 7th place, that would give them at least home court advantage in the play-in tournament. If both Mobley and Mitchell are out, perhaps the Magic can keep this game close? They’ve won 2 of 4 games and just lost to a in-form Timberwolves team only by 7 points on the road. I’ll give the Magic the benefit of the doubt here and back them to cover.

Magic vs Cavaliers Predictions: Magic +10 is available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.