Cavaliers Beat the Magic 96-86: Playoff Game Recap Game 2 / Round 1

Post-Game Recap

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3 Notes Around the Victory

1 – Marvelous Mitchell

Donovan Mitchell came up clutch when it mattered most, hitting back-to-back jumpers late in the 4th quarter to expand the lead from nine to 13.  Mitchell had a team-high 23 points in the victory.

2 – Awesome Allen

Jarrett Allen had a massive night on the boards, with 20 rebounds, tying him for second most in Cavaliers playoff history. With Allen’s help, the Cavs won the rebounding battle again 48 to 41.

3 – Late Game struggles

The one area of note for the Cavaliers is their inability to score down in the final nine minutes of the game only scoring nine points after being up 22.  

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Game Recap

Donovan Mitchell put up 23 points, while Jarrett Allen dominated the boards with 20 rebounds, propelling the Cleveland Cavaliers to a hard-fought 96-86 victory over the Orlando Magic on Monday night, securing a commanding 2-0 lead in their initial Eastern Conference playoff series.

Maintaining their momentum from Game 1, Mitchell spearheaded the Cavs’ effort, leading them to a wire-to-wire lead.

Cleveland’s postseason debut has been nothing short of impressive, a stark contrast to their disappointing exit last year at the hands of the New York Knicks. This time, they’ve shown resilience.

Evan Mobley contributed 17 points, complemented by Allen’s 16 points and nine crucial offensive rebounds.

Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 21 points, followed by Franz Wagner with 18. However, Orlando faces an uphill battle, historically struggling to bounce back after losing the series opener.

Game 3 shifts to Orlando on Thursday.

In a concerning moment, Magic guard Jalen Suggs suffered a sprained left knee in the first quarter following contact with Mitchell. Despite the setback, Suggs returned after halftime with a protective sleeve on his leg, rallying his team in the fourth quarter.

However, Mitchell’s quick response with two baskets thwarted Orlando’s comeback attempt.

Suggs’ injury visibly shook the Magic, allowing the Cavs to seize control early on, eventually building a commanding lead.

Cleveland’s defense once again stifled Orlando’s offense, limiting them to 36% shooting from the field and a dismal 9 of 35 from beyond the arc.

For Orlando, the transition to playoff intensity has been challenging, evident in their struggles to find their shooting rhythm.

Coach Jamahl Mosley remains optimistic, urging his team to stay aggressive despite their shooting woes.

However, Orlando’s offensive struggles persisted, hampering their ability to mount a comeback.

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Up Next

Orlando hosts its first playoff game since April 21, 2019. It will be Cleveland’s first postseason visit there since the 2009 conference finals.