Orlando Magic vs Cleveland Cavaliers picks, predictions: Who wins NBA Playoffs series?

Arizona Republic

The No. 5 seed Orlando Magic and No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers play in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs for the Eastern Conference starting Saturday, April 20.

Who will win the series and advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals?

Check out these NBA Playoffs series picks and predictions for the Eastern Conference matchup.

The Cavaliers are -186 to win the series in NBA Playoffs odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook. The Magic are +156.

Cleveland is -1.5 in the series spread. Orlando is +1.5.

The Cavaliers winning in five games is at +360 in odds for the outcome of the series. Cleveland is +420 to win in seven games, +490 to win in six games and +700 to win in four games.

The Magic are +500 to take the series in six games, +800 to win it in seven games, +950 to win in five and +1600 to sweep the Cavaliers.

NBA.com: Magic will beat Cavaliers in seven games

Steve Aschburner writes: "If it goes this long, Cleveland gets the final game at home. The Cavs have more spring experience than Orlando — they were in the Play-In two years ago and lost to New York in the first round last spring. But they’re not exactly peaking at the right time. Since these teams last met, the Cavaliers have gone 12-16. Orlando is 16-10 since that night, improving by 13 victories over last season to thrust Jamahl Mosley into Coach of the Year conversations. The Magic are in the playoffs for the first time since 2020 and haven’t won a series since 2010, but the guys playing well for them now know nothing of that."

The Oklahoman: Cavaliers will advance past Magic in six games

Justin Martinez writes: "The lights were too bright last season for Cleveland, which suffered a 4-1 series loss to New York in the first round of the playoffs. A lack of physicality proved to be the Cavaliers' downfall, and that'll have to change when they face the Magic. Jalen Suggs and company will make it a scrappy series, but Orlando doesn't have the experience or shooting to pull off the upset."

Will the Orland Magic beat the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Playoffs? NBA picks, predictions and odds weigh in on the first-round NBA postseason series.

Fansided: Bet the Magic to beat the Cavaliers in six games

Peter Dewey writes: "Cleveland went on a massive run in the middle of the season but has leveled out since, and I’m worried about the team against an Orlando team that was No. 1 against the spread at home and posted a 29-12 straight up record there. These teams are very similar in net rating (Cavs at +2.5, Magic at +2.4), but Orlando features the No. 3 defense in the NBA. With Mitchell missing time towards the end of the season and J.B. Bickerstaff’s teams struggling down the stretch, Orlando could be live to advance to the second round."

Last Word on Sports: Cavaliers will win series vs. Magic in six games

Frederick Okocha writes: "During their regular-season series, the Cavaliers outscored the Magic on three-pointers by 15 points on average. It’s clear the Cavs have the shooting edge. Can the Magic cancel that out with elite perimeter defense to win their first playoff since 2010? The Cavaliers vs Magic series promises to be an intriguing, close contest in every game. Ultimately, the Cavs shooting and perimeter play give them a slight edge I’m picking the Cavs’ to win the series in six games."

NBA Playoffs 2024:Teams, matchups, play-in tournament

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WANNA BET? Here are the latest NBA odds and betting lines

STREAM THE SERIES:Watch Magic vs. Cavaliers NBA Playoffs games with Sling TV

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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