National Basketball Association

Two different worlds: Previewing the Cleveland Cavaliers on Locked On Cavaliers

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Orlando Magic make their first road trip of the season, including a trip to Cleveland take on the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Orlando Magic are back in action Friday against the Detroit Pistons as they take their first road trip of the young NBA season.

It will be a busy weekend for sure. The Magic face the Pistons at the Palace of Auburn Hills on Friday night and then take a quick jaunt to Quicken Loans Arena to face the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Playing against two teams projected to make the Playoffs this season after the loss Wednesday to the Miami Heat has probably put the Magic in a bit of a bind, facing down a potential 0-3 start with the level of competition.

That certainly is not Orlando’s focus. The team’s focus is on winning and getting off the mat as they come together and continue to build chemistry. That task will not be easy. It never is.

The highlight of the weekend though will be the Magic taking on the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers though. The Magic have struggled against the Cavaliers, losing the last 14 games. Orlando has not defeated Cleveland since Nov. 23, 2012 (the last of a 10-game win streak for Orlando).

The game features two teams in very different places. Almost completely different places.

The Cavaliers are a sustained, consistent team with championship dreams. The Magic are a relatively new bunch just looking to make the Playoffs.

To say the least, it will take a gargantuan effort from the Magic to topple the Cavaliers on Saturday.

To help preview the game and take a check up of where the Cavaliers are entering their title defense and to preview the Magic, I joined Chris Manning of Fear The Sword and Locked On Cavaliers for a crossover podcast to preview the teams and the game. I also discuss on the podcast the aftermath of Wednesday’s game and preview Friday’s game against the Detroit Pistons:

Be sure to subscribe to Locked On Cavaliers on Audioboom and iTunes. Also be sure to subscribe to Locked On Magic on iTunes, AudioBoom, Stitcher and TuneIn.