Another one! Cavs defeat Orlando 96-86, leading series 2-0
CLEVELAND (AP/WJW) — The Cleveland Cavaliers are keeping the momentum strong with another win against the Orlando Magic Monday night.
The Cavs, who won the series opener on Saturday, now lead the Magic 2-0.
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The Cavs were leading after the first quarter:
At the end of 1…#Cavs ended the 1st Quarter on a 10-2 run and take a 30-18 lead over the #Magic.
ONLY 3 Cavaliers scored in the 1st QTR.
Mitchell: 14
LeVert: 8
Allen: 8 #LetEmKnow @fox8news— John Sabol (@John_Sabol) April 22, 2024
The Magic’s Jalen Suggs was carried to the locker room after injuring his left knee in the first quarter and was questionable to return into the second quarter. The Cavs maintained their lead into halftime.
#Cavs took a 12-point lead in halftime in Game 1.
Tonight in Game 2, Cavaliers lead #Magic by 12 points at halftime.
Donovan Mitchell is leading everyone with 19 points.
Orlando is once again having problems shooting.@fox8news— John Sabol (@John_Sabol) April 23, 2024
By the third quarter, Suggs was back in action, but it wasn’t enough to take a lead over the Cavs.
Darius Garland scored the #Cavs' last 7 points to end the 3rd qtr. Cavaliers lead #Magic 80-65.
Cleveland is 12 minutes away from taking a 2-0 series lead.#LetEmKnow @fox8news— John Sabol (@John_Sabol) April 23, 2024
The Cavs held onto their lead into the 4th quarter, defeating the Magic 96-86.
Donovan Mitchell had a game-high of 23 points, while Jarrett Allen, with 16 points and 20 rebounds, was one rebound short of tying a Cavs record.
#Cavs take a 2-0 lead with a 96-86 win over the #Magic.
Donovan Mitchell: Game-high 23 points
Jarrett Allen (16 points/20 Reb): 1 rebound shy of tying a Cavaliers record for most rebounds in a playoff game (Kevin Love: 21, 2017)
Game 3 is @ Orlando, Thursday, 7pm@fox8news— John Sabol (@John_Sabol) April 23, 2024
Game 3 of the best-of-seven series is Thursday in Orlando.
See photos from the game below:
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell warms up before Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Orlando Magic, Monday, April 22, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane) WJW photo Cleveland Cavaliers’ Darius Garland (10) and Orlando Magic’s Jalen Suggs (4) fight for a loose ball during the second half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Nick Cammett) Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) drives against Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac, left, during the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 22, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane) Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) shoots against Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) during the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 22, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane) Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro (35) looks to shoot against Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) during the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 22, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane) Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland, left, drives against Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) during the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 22, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane) Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) during the second half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 22, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
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As was the case in Game 1, the Magic couldn’t find their shooting touch. They shot 36% from the floor, including 9 of 35 on 3-pointers.
For many of Orlando’s players, Game 1 was their first taste of the playoffs and the big stage may have contributed to the team’s pitiful shooting performance.
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Coach Jamahl Mosley wasn’t worried about the Magic losing any confidence, and his message was for them to to keep firing.
“I don’t care if you’ve missed two in a row or 10 in a row,” he said before the game. “If you’re open, let it go.”
But the Magic’s shooting woes continued. They missed their first five 3-pointers and started 3 of 11 from the field.
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.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
