NBA Playoff Odds: Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Game 2
Those willing to pay the hefty price to take the Cleveland Cavaliers on the money line in Game 1, thinking they had a sure thing, did pay the price as the nine-point underdog Orlando Magic erased a 15-point halftime deficit to shock the Cavs with a 107-106 victory. While Cleveland was 8-0 in the playoffs, Orlando’s win over the Cavs was nothing new as the Magic have now won 5 of the last 6 head-to-head meetings. NBA odds makers are confident that Cleveland will bounce back in Game 2, listing the Cavaliers as 9.5-point favorites with the total set at 188.5.
It appeared the Cavs were picking up right where they left off when they jumped out to a 33-19 first quarter lead and extended it to 15 on Mo Williams’ three quarter court heave at the first half buzzer. It would have been easy for the Magic to quit at that point with all the momentum in Cleveland’s favor. After all, that’s what the Pistons and the Hawks did in the majority of Cleveland’s first and second round games. But the Magic never said die, clawing their way back behind a strong second half effort by Rashard Lewis, who hit a big three-pointer with 14.7 seconds remaining which proved to be the game winner. Dwight Howard was the story for Orlando though. The First Team All-NBA Center and NBA Defensive Player of the Year showed up in a big way with 30 points and 13 rebounds. The key for Orlando is not to be satisfied with one win on the road, especially since it knows the Cavs will be playing with a heightened sense of urgency. The Magic stole Game 1 in Boston in the Eastern Conference Semifinals and then fell flat on their face in Game 2. Will history repeat itself or will Orlando stick right with the Cavs again? Bet the Magic at +9.5 at Bookmaker and receive a 20 percent cash sign up bonus if you like them to cover the number.
2008-09 NBA MVP LeBron James was nothing short of amazing, scoring 49 points on 20 of 30 shooting, and adding six rebounds and eight assists. But it wasn’t enough. All five Cavalier starters scored in double figures, but Cleveland was not able to come up with enough stops on the defensive end to earn a Game 1 victory. Prior to giving up 107 points Wednesday night, the Cavs had not allowed an opponent over 85 points in these playoffs. In fact, Cleveland is only allowing 87.7 points per game at home, where it is 43-3, this season, but the Magic managed to destroy that number by 20 points. Cleveland is going to have to pick its poison on the defensive end; either giving the Magic the paint with Howard or living and dying with the Magic’s three-point assault. I suggest letting Howard get 50 points, if he can, before letting Rashard Lewis and company beat you from beyond the arc. Cleveland was able to build a lead in the first half when the Magic were struggling from three, but it saw that lead quickly disappear as soon as the threes starting going in. Howard is going to get some easy dunks on offensive rebounds and lobs, but I’m not sold on his ability to score consistently with contested hook shots. If you think Cleveland will make the necessary adjustments to win Game 2 and cover the spread in the process, bet the Cavs at -9.5 at Bookmaker.
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