Cavaliers Beat the Magic 121-111: Game Recap 12/6/23

Post-Game Recap

3 Key Factors Around the Victory

1 – 61

The Cavs backcourt duo of Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell combined for 61 points on the evening and led the charge on offense.  

2 – Three-point shooting

Cleveland did a great job of shooting three-point shots, making 14 three-pointers compared to only two for Orlando.  It was the difference in the game.  Georges Niang made two big bombs in the second half to keep the Cavs ahead.

3 – Hot start

The Cavs came out firing in this game, taking a 17-point lead after the 1st quarter that allowed the Cavaliers never to feel threatened of losing the game.

Game Summary

Donovan Mitchell secured 35 points, complemented by Darius Garland’s 26, propelling the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 121-111 triumph on Wednesday night over the Orlando Magic. Despite Paolo Banchero’s career-high 42 points for the Magic, the Cavaliers delivered a standout performance, crucial given their inconsistent record in 2023.

Cleveland, previously 4-8 against teams with winning records, faced criticism after their recent home loss and sought redemption amid a challenging schedule. With upcoming games against Miami and two matchups in Boston, the Cavaliers’ victory provided the confidence boost they needed.

Orlando’s Paolo Banchero, the top pick in the 2020 draft, exhibited prowess with 42 points on 16-of-26 shooting. However, the Magic, trailing by 23 points in the first half, struggled from beyond the arc, going 2 of 23 on 3-point attempts.

In a game where the Magic fought back in the third quarter, narrowing the gap to five points, Donovan Mitchell’s stellar performance, including a crucial 3-pointer and assists to Georges Niang, propelled the Cavaliers to a 99-86 lead after three quarters.

Although the Magic attempted a comeback, trimming the deficit to eight points, Mitchell’s pivotal plays, including finding Niang for a 3-pointer, and Garland’s reliable offense, secured the Cavaliers’ victory.

Jalen Suggs of the Orlando Magic left the game in the second quarter with a right ankle injury, further challenging the Magic’s resilience. The Cavaliers played without reserve guard Caris LeVert for the second consecutive game due to a left knee issue, with Coach J.B. Bickerstaff confirming LeVert’s travel with the team for the upcoming road trip.

Up Next

At Miami Heat on Friday night.