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Cleveland Cavaliers vs Orlando Magic predictions: Who will win Game 1, NBA playoff series
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- Cleveland Cavaliers vs Orlando Magic predictions: Who will win Game 1, NBA playoff series
The Cleveland Cavaliers are back in the NBA playoffs for a second straight season. They hope to stick around much longer this time.
A year after getting bounced in five games as the No. 4 seed by the fifth-seeded New York Knicks , the Cavs are again the fourth seed after a 48-34 regular season. The Orlando Magic (47-35) are the No. 5 seed this time. The teams split four games during the season.
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Here's how our two writers who've followed the Cavs all season, Ryan Lewis and Nate Ulrich, view Game 1 and how they see the best-of-seven series unfolding.
Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley defends a shot by Orlando Magic center Moritz Wagner in the third quarter, Feb. 22, 2024, in Cleveland.
Cavs vs. Magic prediction: Who wins Game 1 Saturday?
LEWIS: Tristan Thompson hopes the Cavaliers show they've added a new level of toughness within the first five minutes of Game 1. That's been their goal for roughly a year, and they have a matchup in which they'll be tested in that regard against an Orlando Magic starting lineup with plenty of size. The Cavs, finally, have a healthy starting lineup, even if they're without Dean Wade , a key contributor off the bench. If the Cavs can avoid foul trouble and shoot well from 3-point range, which was an issue last year, they have a good chance of starting this series out in front. Cavaliers 108, Magic 104
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ULRICH:Nothing about this first-round series should surprise the Cavs out of the gate after they experienced the increased physicality and intensity of the playoffs a year ago. Cavaliers 110, Magic 105
Cavs vs. Magic prediction: Who wins NBA Eastern Conference first-round series?
LEWIS:The Cavaliers haven't won a playoff series without LeBron James on the roster in 30 years, but I think this is the year that run ends. The Cavs haven't been playing their best entering this series, but they finally have a healthy starting lineup, and the slate gets wiped clean Saturday afternoon. While playoff experience isn't a requisite for success, it can be a factor, and the Cavs ran into that wall last year against the Knicks. The Magic are in that position this time around against a Cavs team that shouldn't be surprised by the playoff atmosphere or physicality again. Cavaliers win series 4-2
ULRICH:The Cavs made changes in the offseason to become a team better equipped for the playoffs. They have shooters who can help space the floor. They have some tough veterans. Mix those ingredients with a young core seasoned a bit by last year's first-round embarrassment against the New York Knicks, and there are no excuses for the Cavs to do anything but take care of business against the less experienced Magic. Cavaliers win series 4-2
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Cavs vs Magic predictions for Game 1 and NBA playoff series
