The Cleveland Cavaliers (25-13) are just 10-9 straight up and even worse at 9-10 against the spread when playing on the road. We might suggest the point spread may be inflated here, especially after the 102-88 loss to Boston this week, but the Orlando Magic (12-27) are 7-11 SU and an abysmal 5-13 ATS when playing at home. The only thing getting in the way of a decisive Cavs win are the distractions surrounding Lebron James and his never-ending ability to keep himself in the news, the bad with the good. It’s a bit exhausting, not only for fans, but for his team too, which ultimately impacts the way you bet on this and any Cavs game while LBJ wears the jersey.
After their more recent 102-88 loss to the Boston Celtics, the Cavs have dropped five of their last seven games. Instead of taking any responsibility, James continues to place the blame for the Cavs recent woes anywhere but in the mirror, stating this time that the whole East Coast is the issue:
“The East is pretty damn good this year, and right now we’re not so good. We were great, now not so good.” (LBJ)
Sheesh, sounds like a Trump quote doesn’t it? The man really has a way with words. And like the POTUS, Lebron’s lack of team vision will be their downfall.
The Cavaliers have the toughest schedule in the Eastern Conference this month, so they will be looking to take full advantage of their 12-27 opponent this Saturday in the late afternoon.
Fueled by lightning hot shooting, superb ball movement, and Cleveland’s poor 3-point showing (miss Kyrie Irving much?) the Magic shocked Lebron and the Cavaliers by a score of 114-93 back in October. That game snapped a 17-game losing streak for the Magic.
But that was then.
After losing to Brooklyn earlier in the week and shooting just 36.5 percent, Orlando dropped another to the Houston Rockets where once again shooting was to blame for the poor showing. The team shot just 32.6 percent in the first half and only hit six of 31 3-pointers for the night. You’d better believe that head coach Frank Vogel has them chucking buckets on their merciful two-day rest before their meeting with the Cavs this Saturday.
Writer’s Prediction:
As much as my feelings for Lebron may shine through, there is no denying that Orlando’s shooting percentage will keep them from claiming a win over Cleveland this weekend. The probability of them taking two games off of the Cavs this season is low, and with a 5-13 ATS record at home it is unlikely that the home crowd will elevate them to even take the points away from Cleveland. Pick: Cavs to win and cover.
