CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cavs are currently the hottest team in the NBA, riding a seven-game winning streak and boasting the best record in the league over their last 15 games at 12-3. They’re set to face off against a formidable adversary in the Orlando Magic on Monday.
For a team that had prided itself on defense from the beginning of the season, the Cavs have taken their defensive prowess to another level recently. They’ve even introduced a new statistic to measure their impact on the court – “suffocate.” By definition, three consecutive defensive stops equal one suffocate, and the Cavs tallied nine suffocates in their recent 116-95 win over the Atlanta Hawks.
This defensive intensity has been the backbone of their seven-game winning streak, as the Cavaliers now possess the best defensive rating in the league during this stretch. Their suffocating defense has held three consecutive opponents to under 100 points, with two of them hitting season-lows in scoring.
The Cavs have also improved significantly on the offensive end. Over the course of their winning streak, they boast the fourth-best offensive rating in the NBA. This balanced performance has resulted in an impressive net rating, surpassing the next closest net rating by 10.5.
Over their seven-game winning streak, they’ve led for 305 out of a possible 336 minutes. In their last four games, their opponents held a combined lead of just one point for a mere 35 seconds. The Cavaliers simply refuse to relinquish control once they’ve seized it.
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On the other hand, the Magic have had a mixed record lately, winning seven of their last 15 games. Orlando recently secured a much-needed victory against the Miami Heat, gaining just the second win in their previous seven contests.
The Magic received a boost with Franz Wagner’s return to their starting lineup, giving them full strength once again.
With potent scorers like Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, the Magic will serve as a stern test for the Cavs.
Here’s what to know about the matchup:
Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (25-15) vs. Orlando Magic (23-20).
Series: Second meeting of the season.
Where: Kia Center.
When: 7:00 p.m. EST.
The point spread: Magic minus-1.5; O/U 215.5
TV: Bally Sports Ohio
Injury report
Cavs: Caris LeVert (wrist), OUT; Darius Garland (jaw), OUT; Evan Mobley (knee), OUT; Ty Jerome (right ankle sprain), OUT.
Magic: Gary Harris (calf), OUT.
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