The Battle Begins – Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Game 1

Can Superman Challenge The King? Cavaliers Host Magic Tonight!

Up until this point, the Cavs haven’t had a real challenge. They’ve blown out their last eight games by double-digit margins and have had nearly two weeks of rest as they prepare to host the Orlando Magic. The line is fairly modest. A lot of people are expecting the red-hot Magic to stone wall the ice-cold Cavs, since many assume the layover for the Cavs may be too great for them to come fresh off a week of practice to compete in an Eastern Conference Championship opener.

My message to those guys is pretty simple: Don’t be stupid.

The Magic are a great team, using a combination of towering defense and perimeter shooting to quell the threat of Boston from repeating. The truth is, however, that the Magic were tested by a team with a deadly backcourt and two role-players in the front court. Getting past Cleveland is a whole different story. Dwight Howard knows this. So does LeBron.

Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Wednesday, May 20th — Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland — 8:30pm EST

NBA Betting Line: Cleveland -8.5 (184.5)

The Magic have always fared well against the Cleveland Cavs against the betting line. Their 5-0 ATS record over the past 5 games, is backed up by a 4-1 SU record. The road isn’t too scary for the Magic either, with a 5-0 ATS record when playing on the road in Cleveland. So why do I not exactly care about those trends?

Because the Cavs are on a mission. They’ve proven it by going 11-1 ATS in their last 12 games, remaining undefeated through two rounds of fierce playoff competition and stomping to a 20-1 SU record at home. LeBron is ready to hoist the championship and the Magic are not going to stand in their way.

Top to bottom the Cavs are a better team, only being outdueled at the center position. But even there, Big Z can hold his own offensively against the monster known as Superman. The Cavs’ defense is going to take center stage as they stifle the Magic’s onslaught of perimeter shooting.

And just tell me this one thing. As good as the Magic are, who exactly is going to cover LeBron? Rashard Lewis? Hedo? Seriously…is anyone gifted enough to even consider slowing him down while he’s on an MVP caliber rampage? That’s the question you should be trying to answer in the face of insurmountable betting trends.

NBA Free Pick: Cleveland -8.5 (UNDER)