Cavaliers vs Magic Picks and Prediction – 12/12/2023

In Monday night NBA action, the Cleveland Cavaliers will travel to the Amway Center to take on the Orlando Magic. Step into the action with our NBA Previews. The Cavaliers (13-9) have won three straight games and rank seventh in the league in defensive efficiency. On Friday, Cleveland scored 15 unanswered points twice during a 111-99 road triumph against Miami. 

All-Star G Donovan Mitchell tallied a game-high 27 points (9-17 FG) to go along with 13 rebounds and six assists. Darius Garland chipped in 18 points (6-11 FG) and six assists. Georges Niang scored 13 points in 20 minutes off the bench for the Cavaliers, who outrebounded the Heat by a 51-37 margin.

The Orlando Magic have won eight of their last ten games and trail Boston by 1.5 games for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. The Magic (15-7) lead the league in defensive efficiency and are limiting opponents to a shade under 110 points per contest. On Friday, Orlando outscored Detroit in each quarter and shot 55 percent from the field during a 123-91 home victory. 

Orlando F Franz Wagner led all scorers with 27 points on 12-for-20 from the floor. Former number one overall draft pick Paolo Banchero scored 24 points and finished with a plus 25 rating. Cole Anthony added 16 points and six assists in 24 minutes off the Magic bench.