Orlando Magic vs Cleveland-cavaliers Picks and Predictions February 25th 2025

Orlando Magic vs Cleveland-Cavaliers February 25th 2025

At 7:30 ET, the Cleveland Cavaliers (-250) will be in Orlando to take on the Magic (+207). The Cavaliers are currently favored by 6.5 points and have won seven straight games. The over/under line for the game is 223.5 points.

This Eastern Conference matchup can be seen on TNT. The Cavaliers are currently 47-10 and in first place in the East, while the Magic are 29-30 and in seventh place.

Cavaliers vs. Magic Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers at Orlando Magic
• Where: Orlando at Kia Center
• Date: Tuesday, February 25th
• Betting Odds CLE -6.5, CLE -250 | ORL +207 O/U 223.5

The Cavaliers Can Win If…

With a 129-123 win over the Grizzlies on Sunday, the Cavaliers improved to 47-10 for the season. Playing at home, Cleveland was favored by six points, and the final score resulted in a push for those who bet on the spread.

The Cavs led 93-88 going into the 4th quarter and edged out Memphis 36-35 in the final period. The over/under line was set at 247.5, and the teams combined for 252 points, just 4.5 points over the line.

Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers to a win over the Grizzlies, scoring 33 points and hitting 4 threes at 50% efficiency. Ty Jerome added 26 points, with 15 coming in the 4th quarter, and Evan Mobley contributed 25 points and 13 rebounds.

The Cavs struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 27.7% and making 13 threes. Overall, they shot 46.5% from the field.

Even though the Cavaliers gave up 123 points, they still managed to secure the win against the Grizzlies. Cleveland allowed 29 points in the 1st quarter and 27 in the 2nd, but things got tougher in the 2nd half, where they gave up 32 points in the 3rd and 35 in the 4th. Overall, the Grizzlies shot 45% from the field.

From beyond the arc, Memphis hit 15 threes at a 38% clip. The Cavaliers also sent the Grizzlies to the line 31 times, where they made 24 free throws. Cleveland finished with 35 defensive rebounds, allowing 12 offensive boards, and added 5 steals and 5 blocks.

• In their last five road games, Cleveland has averaged 123 points per game while allowing 110 . The team’s record in this stretch was 5-0 while going 3-2 vs. the spread.
• In their last three games as the betting favorite, the Cavaliers have a strong straight up record of 3-0. In addition, their ATS record was 2-0-1 in these scenarios.
• Over their last five games, the Cavaliers have an over/under record of 4-1 and are 4-0-1 vs. the spread.

The Magic Can Win If…

The Magic improved to 29-30 on the season with a 110-90 win over the Wizards on Sunday. Playing at home, Orlando covered the spread as 13.5-point favorites. The game’s total of 200 points fell short of the 215.5-point O/U line.

Orlando took control with a 13-0 run, turning a 33-29 deficit into a 42-33 lead. They outscored Washington 32-17 in the 3rd quarter and held an 81-64 advantage heading into the 4th, where they edged the Wizards 29-26.

Franz Wagner and Anthony Black each scored 23 points in the Magic’s win over the Wizards, with Black hitting 4 threes at an 80% clip. Wagner added 7 rebounds and 5 assists, shooting 50% from the field, while Black shot 58.3% overall. Paolo Banchero contributed 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, despite shooting 41.7%.

Orlando shot 44.4% from the field and 34.4% from three, making 11 threes in the game. Black scored 12 points in the 4th quarter, while Wagner added 9 points in the 3rd. Wendell Carter also had 7 of his 11 points in the 3rd quarter.

The Magic put on a defensive clinic against the Wizards, holding them to just 90 points on Sunday. After a shaky 1st quarter where they allowed 29 points, Orlando tightened up, giving up only 18 points in the 2nd and 17 in the 3rd. They finished strong, allowing 26 points in the 4th. Overall, the Magic held the Wizards to 41% shooting from the field.

Orlando’s perimeter defense was particularly impressive, as they limited Washington to just 10 made threes on 26% shooting. The Magic also sent the Wizards to the free-throw line 22 times, where they made 16. On the boards, Orlando gave up only 4 offensive rebounds while collecting 9 steals and blocking 5 shots.

• Orlando has played well in their previous three home games, going 2-1 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 111 points per game while allowing 110. The team also performed well vs the spread at 2-1.
• The last ten games that Orlando was the underdog, they have an ATS mark of 4-6 while going 2-8 straight up.
• In their last three games, the Magic have an over/under record of 0-3 and are 3-0 vs. the spread.

The Lean

The Cavaliers is our pick to not only win with a projected score of 144-114. But we also favor them to cover the spread. Our bet is on the Cavaliers at -6.5.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 223.5, and our model predicts the Cavaliers and Magic to score a combined 258 points. We recommend betting on the over.

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Improved Magic Face Litmus Test Against High-Scoring Cavaliers

The Orlando Magic (32-26) have rebounded from a midseason slump, winning five of their last eight games as they continue their push for an automatic playoff spot.

But on Tuesday, they face their biggest challenge yet—the Cleveland Cavaliers (38-19), who own the NBA’s best record and bring a seven-game winning streak into Amway Center.

Orlando’s NBA-best defense (allowing just 105.2 points per game) will be put to the test against Cleveland’s league-leading offense (122.9 points per game).

The game represents a litmus test for both teams:

• Can Orlando’s defense contain Donovan Mitchell and Cleveland’s explosive attack?
• Can Cleveland continue its dominance against a top-tier defensive team?

Orlando Back on Track With Banchero and Wagner Leading the Charge

After dropping nine of 10 games due to injuries, the Magic have turned things around since getting Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner back in the lineup together on Jan. 23.

The duo has been the engine of Orlando’s offense:

• Franz Wagner (25.1 PPG in 39 games) – Leading the team in scoring.
• Paolo Banchero (22.9 PPG in 25 games) – Also averaging a team-high 4.9 assists.

When Orlando’s offense exceeds 104 points, they have gone 4-1 in their last five such games, showing that even modest scoring success paired with their elite defense can lead to wins.

One of those emerging players is Anthony Black, who scored 23 points in Sunday’s 110-90 win over Washington. He has now scored double figures in five of Orlando’s last eight wins.

But the Magic will need all their offensive weapons to keep up with Cleveland’s firepower.

Cleveland’s Offense is Rolling Despite Injury Concerns

The Cavaliers boast the NBA’s highest-scoring offense (122.9 PPG), led by:

• Donovan Mitchell (24.2 PPG, 5.4 APG) – The team’s go-to scorer.
• Darius Garland (21.3 PPG, 7.1 APG) – Currently dealing with a hip injury.
• Evan Mobley (18.7 PPG, 9.4 RPG) – A versatile inside-out scorer.

Garland missed Cleveland’s 129-123 win over Memphis on Sunday, but head coach Kenny Atkinson is optimistic about his return Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Jarrett Allen (13.6 PPG, 10.4 RPG) left Sunday’s game with a finger injury, and his status remains uncertain.

Even without Garland and Allen, Cleveland kept its winning streak alive behind:

• Mitchell’s 33 points vs. Memphis
• Mobley’s 25 points
• Ty Jerome’s 26 points off the bench, including 15 in the fourth quarter

Adding to their firepower, newly acquired De’Andre Hunter has averaged 13.4 points per game in five games with Cleveland since arriving in a trade for Caris LeVert.

With multiple scoring threats, Cleveland is a nightmare matchup for any defense, even one as good as Orlando’s.

What’s at Stake?

For the Magic:

• Continue climbing toward the East’s top six for an automatic playoff spot.
• Prove they can compete against elite teams before the postseason.
• Validate their defensive dominance against the NBA’s best offense.

For the Cavaliers:

• Extend their NBA-best seven-game winning streak.
• Maintain their position as the East’s top team.
• Show they can win even without key players like Garland and Allen.

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Prediction: Can Orlando’s Defense Slow Down Cleveland?

This game pits strength against strength:

• Orlando’s elite defense (allowing 105.2 PPG, best in the NBA)
• Cleveland’s explosive offense (scoring 122.9 PPG, best in the NBA)

If Garland and Allen miss the game, Orlando’s chances to keep it close increase dramatically.

However, if Mitchell stays hot and Mobley dominates inside, Cleveland has the depth to overcome its injuries.

Orlando has been playing better, but Cleveland is on another level right now.