Orlando Magic vs Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction & Picks - NBA

Prediction published on 3/16/25, 5:34 AM  by Paul Tamayo | Modified on 3/16/25 at 5:37 AM in NBA Picks

The Orlando Magic (31-37) visits the Cleveland Cavaliers (56-10) on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at the Rocket Arena.

The Cavaliers are sitting on an amazing 16-game winning streak, a span that saw them beat the Magic, 122-82, on February 25. During this streak, the Cavs averaged a 60.8% True Shooting clip, including 37.8% from three-point land. This team has been winning games on the strength of their efficient offense.

On the other hand, the Magic has lost seven of their last nine games. In that span, their defensive rating has gone down to 118.2, almost a 10-point decrease from their season average of 109.9. It doesn't help that Jalen Suggs, arguably their top defender, went down with a season-ending quad injury on March 4. 

The Magic has their work cut out, as they go up against the Cavaliers' offensive machine. The Cavs are ranked first in the league in offensive rating (122.5). In their 16-game winning streak, they have outscored their opponents by an average of 13.6 points.

Cleveland missed their injured All-Star Donovan Mitchell in the last two games. However, the league's top team is still favored to emerge victorious in this game.