Let’s go! Cavs beat Magic in Game 1 of the playoffs
CLEVELAND (WJW) — The Cleveland Cavaliers returned to the postseason for a second straight season, this time with a little postseason experience, and a win right off the bat!
The fourth-seeded Cavaliers tipped off at 1 p.m. Saturday in Cleveland against the fifth-seeded Orlando Magic in a best of 7 series. They ended up winning 97-83.
Cleveland will have homecourt advantage throughout the series.
#Cavs lead the #Magic 33-26 after 1.
After making their first 5 threes, Cavaliers have cooled off missing 5 consecutives triples.
Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley have game-high 10 points. #LetEMKNnow @fox8news— John Sabol (@John_Sabol) April 20, 2024
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Things are getting chippy! #Cavs are not backing down to these cheap shots by the #Magic.
Garland, Okoro and Niang showing some heart and muscle. You didn’t see this last year against New York. #LetEmKnow @fox8news— John Sabol (@John_Sabol) April 20, 2024
The Cavs took a 53 to 41 lead at the half.
#Cavs and #Magic have built their share of bricks to start this 2nd half.
Cavaliers have scored just four points this quarter so far.
My goodness this is some bad basketball. @fox8news— John Sabol (@John_Sabol) April 20, 2024
While the third quarter featured a lot of bricks at the hoop, the Cavs were able to stay ahead through the end of the game.
#Cavs take Game 1, 97-83.
Cleveland is 17-1 when winning Game 1 of a Best-of-7 series (highest win% in NBA History). 👀
Donovan Mitchell: Game-high 30 pts.
Jarrett Allen: 16 pts, 11 reb
Evan Mobley: 16 pts, 17 reb
Game 2 – Monday, 7pm#LetEmKnow @fox8news— John Sabol (@John_Sabol) April 20, 2024
See photos from the game below:
CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 20: Jarrett Allen #31 celebrates with Max Strus #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second quarter of game one of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs against the Orlando Magic at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 20, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) Cleveland Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell looks on during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Orlando Magic, Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Nick Cammett) Cleveland Cavaliers’ Donovan Mitchell dunks during the first half against the Orlando Magic in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Nick Cammett)
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A year ago, Jarrett Allen said the lights were a little too bright for the young Cavaliers. Cleveland also talked about how much more physical the New York Knicks were in that first-round series.
This year, the Cavs are the ones entering with the playoff experience. The team also worked all week long on being physical in practice, trying to simulate what the playoffs are all about.
On Friday, the team held their final practice before the playoffs began at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.
Georges Niang, the Cavaliers forward, talked about what makes the postseason so unique.
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“Playoff basketball is a war, it’s intense, and there is nothing better. As a competitor, there is nothing better than leaving it all on the line, and I think that’s what playoff basketball is,” he said.
Craig Porter Jr. (left ankle; sprain) and Dean Wade (right knee; sprain) have been ruled out for game one on Saturday.
Playoff schedule:
Saturday, April 20, 2024 | Game 1: Cavs vs Orlando (HOME) | 1:00 PM | ESPN |
Monday, April 22, 2024 | Game 2: Cavs vs Orlando (HOME) | 7:00 PM | NBA TV |
Thursday, April 25, 2024 | Game 3: Cavs @ Orlando (AWAY) | 7:00 PM | NBA TV |
Saturday, April 27, 2024 | Game 4: Cavs @ Orlando (AWAY) | 1:00 PM | TNT |
Tuesday, April 30, 2024 | Game 5 (if necessary): Cavs vs Orlando (HOME) | TBD | TBD |
Friday, May 3, 2024 | Game 6 (if necessary): Cavs @ Orlando (AWAY) | TBD | TBD |
Sunday, May 5, 2024 | Game 7 (if necessary): Cavs vs Orlando (HOME) | TBD | TBD |
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