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Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks
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Darius Garland played 43 minutes on Friday and is in line for 40-plus minutes in Game 7. It's a quick turnaround, and he's facing a long and disruptive Magic defense. Look for Garland to commit at least three turnovers for the fourth time this series.
The home team has won all six games in this series. The Cavaliers were 26-15 at home during the regular season, while the Magic were 18-23 on the road. Before this series started, I was on the Cavaliers to win it in seven games. I haven’t seen anything through the first six games that has changed my mind, so I’ll take the Cavaliers to emerge from Game 7 with a win and advance to take on the Celtics.
Though the scoreline fell one point short of another "over" on Friday, this series has become higher-scoring since the first two games at the Rocket in which the Magic didn't crack 86 points. Since then, however, Orlando is scoring at a 110 ppg clip, and it's worth noting that every game in this series since Game 2 has handily cleared this overnight 194 for Game Seven in Cleveland. Granted, the Cavs have only cracked 100 points in Game Five, but Donovan Mitchell can always explode (like he did with 50 on Friday), and Orlando's offense, led by Paolo Banchero (33 ppg last two), has gained confidence as this series has progressed. Play Magic-Cavs "Over"
The Magic have arrived in a hurry and look ready to fast-forward the maturation if they can get into the second round. This has been a home-oriented series to be sure, but Orlando has to carry a bit more confidence into this Game Seven at the Rocket after nearly stealing Game 5 in Cleveland after losing heavily in the first two games on the road in this series. Paolo Banchero is scoring at a 33 ppg clip across the past two games for the Magic, but seems to be able to rely on other scoring sources like Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs. Meanwhile, Donovan Mitchell scored more than half (50) of Cleveland's points in the Friday loss at Orlando. Play Magic
Banchero went over this in Game 6 and we cashed, on a night when Franz Wagner had a very hot hand for much of the game. Even then, he was a little less assertive than we would have liked, and especially at home, maybe he delegates a little too much at times and fades out of the game instead of demand the ball. But he's shot more at Cleveland and scored 39 in the last game there and had another 30-burger earlier in the series. Chance to raise his profile here and take matters into his own hands and I doubt Jarrett Allen plays again, which makes it easier to drive the line and get to the paint and the rim.
Look, I don't want to be one of those grumpy old men (ain't that old) but if Jarrett Allen can't play in a winner-take-all, whatever man. Hockey player it up. Course, I also remember Scottie Pippen being ... I'll bite my tongue. He deserved Larsa let's just say that. Love to give more high-def information but this is simply a home play.