CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers capitalized on their home-court advantage against the Orlando Magic in front of a roaring crowd at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
With a convincing 2-0 series lead, the Cavaliers will now be tested on the road in the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.
What follows is everything you need to know about the Cavaliers vs. Magic Game 3 matchup.
Game info, how to watch on TV, betting line:
- Date: Thursday, April 25, 2024
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: Kia Center, Orlando, Florida
- TV channel: Bally Sports Ohio, NBA TV
- Radio: WTAM/WNZN
- Betting line: Cavaliers +1.5
- Over-under point total: 198.5
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Orlando Magic series schedule
Game 1: Saturday, April 20, 1 p.m.
CAVS WIN: 97-83
Game 2: Monday, April 22, 7 p.m.
CAVS WIN: 96-86
Game 3: Thursday, April 25, 7 p.m.
Kia Center
Game 4: Saturday, April 27, 1 p.m.
Kia Center
Game 5: Tuesday, April 30
If necessary
Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Game 6: Friday, May 3
If necessary
Kia Center
Game 7: Sunday, May 5
If necessary
Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Away game watch parties
The Cavs will host Round 1, Game 3, and 4 Watch Parties at the Clevelander, located at 834 Huron Road East, Cleveland. The Parties will include giveaways and appearances from the Cavs Dance Team and Mascots.
Preview
Despite the Cleveland Cavaliers' 2-0 series lead, for the first time this series, the oddsmakers have the Orlando Magic as the favorite for Game 3.
The Magic were a much better home team during the regular season, winning 29 games at the Kia Center, compared to a mere 18 on the road.
The Magic's first home game of the series is a must-win game as they attempt to avoid slipping three games behind Cleveland. In the history of the NBA playoffs, no team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit.
During the first two games of the series, the Cavs' defense has been stellar, forcing the Magic to take many of their shots from beyond the arc. The Magic have struggled with this adjustment, making only 23.6% of their 3-point shots.
The wine and gold have been playing with a defensive mindset, protecting the rim and keeping the Magic out of the deep paint. In the postseason, the Cavaliers have held the Magic to shooting just 34.3% from the field.
The Magic have yet to lead in any point in the playoff series.
The Cavaliers' playoff success has been a team effort. Donovan Mitchell has set the tone from start to finish, averaging 26.5 points in the postseason. Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley and Darius Garland are also all averaging in double digits, with 16.5, 16 and 14.5 points per game, respectively.
Allen's success has been one of the biggest talking points this postseason after a disappointing performance against the New York Knicks in the 2023 NBA Playoffs. He has dominated in games 1 and 2, compiling 32 points, 38 rebounds, five assists and four steals.
All in all, Orlando's offense will need a major spark, including more contributions from their bench, if they hope to have any shot of turning this series around.
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