Cavs-Magic: Starters, betting info, injuries and TV channel for Monday

Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo by Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports)
Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo by Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports)

At this point, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ outlook is not nearly what it was a few weeks back, or heading into the All-Star break.

This last week was a frustrating one as a fan of the Wine and Gold, as Cleveland lost all three of their games, and on Saturday night, even with them making a game of it, yet another slow start played into a loss to the Chicago Bulls.

The Cavs, as of now, are seventh in the Eastern Conference, and would be in-line to be in the play-in tournament. The way things are shaking out, that looks to be where Cleveland is headed, as opposed to most of the season, with a set postseason berth.

There’s still games to be had, though, and the Cavaliers need to get it going. Next up on Monday is an opportunity to do that, as they’ll be facing the Orlando Magic.

The Cavs are looking to get back in the win column on Monday night versus the Magic. So what do you need to know ahead of this one, and how to bet?

The Magic are a team that definitely not too long ago, are like the Cavaliers especially a couple of years back, in the early stages of a full-rebuild. Orlando has had some tough injury luck, unfortunately, too, though, and that hasn’t helped their season.

Even still, the Magic do some young talent that they’ll look to build with in coming years, such as Cole Anthony, Franz Wagner, Wendell Carter Jr., Jalen Suggs and Chuma Ukeke.

The Magic are a club that’s realistically played better of late, also, and their defense has been impressive. Post-All-Star break, Orlando has been second in the NBA in defensive rating, and they’ve shown progression, going 7-8 (they’re 20-55 on the year).

The Cavs offense can’t get off to another slow start here, in order for them to handle business at home. That’s imperative, with the stakes for each game from here on out.

Cavaliers-Magic: Betting info

According to our partners at WynnBet, the Cavaliers are favored by 9.0 points over the Magic. The over/under total for both squads is currently set for 216.0 points.

That total individually for Cleveland is set for 112.5 and for Orlando is set for 103.5.

Cavaliers-Magic: Projected starters and injury report

Magic starters: Cole Anthony, R.J. Hampton, Franz Wagner, Chuma Ukeke/Wendell Carter Jr., Mohamed Bamba

Cavs starters: Darius Garland, Isaac Okoro, Lamar Stevens/Caris LeVert, Lauri Markkanen, Evan Mobley

Magic injuries: Jalen Suggs (out, ankle); Jonathan Isaac (out for season, hamstring, knee); Bol Bol (out for season, foot).

Cavs injuries: Jarrett Allen (out, finger); Dean Wade (out, knee); Rajon Rondo (out, ankle); Collin Sexton (out for season, knee).

Cavs-Magic: Prediction

This game should be one where the Cavaliers can get back on track, and Orlando not having Suggs as a guard defender at the point-of-attack against Garland could make a difference for Garland, Caris LeVert, whether he starts or comes off the bench, and the offense.

With how things have been for the Cavs in recent weeks, it’s not going to necessarily be a cake walk, though, and defensively, Wagner and Anthony are tough matchups. I’d expect Wagner, who has been one of the league’s best rookies, to stuff the stat sheet, too, and his versatility could help keep the Magic in this one, combined with Anthony and Terrence Ross’ shot-making.

But I’d imagine that despite some inconsistencies from Cleveland’s bench of late, in this contest, Lauri Markkanen continuing to play well, Evan Mobley getting back to his normal self defensively, and a better game from LeVert should propel the Cavs to a W.

Let’s not gloss over the efforts of Stevens of late, either, who has had double figures in each of his last four contests, in which he’s averaged 25.2 minutes, and started twice.

I’m going with the Cavaliers on Monday night, but based on how they’ve had recent lulls, I do think Orlando sticks around enough to cover, and the Cavs can’t quite completely pull away, even while playing pretty well. I’ll go with the under in this one, too, along those lines; 9.0 is a considerable margin.

Prediction: Cavs 107, Magic 99

The Bet: Magic (+9), UNDER

Cavs-Magic: Where to watch

For fans subscribed and in-market, Bally Sports Ohio will have this one. Otherwise, for plenty of others seemingly not in-market and with the subscription, or those in-market without the first option, NBA League Pass will have this contest.

Cavaliers upcoming schedule:

After this Magic game, the Cavs have a back-to-back slate versus the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday to wrap up their three-game home stand and they’ll take on the Atlanta Hawks on the road on Thursday.

Both of those figure to be difficult contests against surging teams, with maestros at the helm in Luka Doncic and Trae Young, with plenty of perimeter shooters around them.

Following that Wednesday-Thursday back-to-back, Cleveland takes on the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Saturday afternoon in a matinee affair. That figures to be a physical, potentially defensive matchup.