Packed, it's weighed! The Cavaliers secured the victory for the second home game of their series against the Magic by achieving a second clear success. The Cleveland leaders held their position, between the Garland-Mitchell pair effective at the back and a Mobley-Allen duo who again dominated the debates in the paint.
After its delicate start during Game 1, Orlando this time cracked at the end of the first quarter, overwhelmed on both sides of the floor as soon as the Cavaliers began to raise their voice. Donovan Mitchell showed the way to launch a 16-4 concluded by a dunk from Jarrett Allen and the 3-pointer from an untenable Caris LeVert (30-18). Darius Garland outbid to place the Magic 15 lengths in stride. Jamahl Mosley's men responded with a 10-0 before losing the cup again. Cleveland actually responded with a 15-3 to get back on track, this time with two 3-pointers from Isaac Okoro as well as a dazzling counter-attack to bring the score to 48-31. Franz Wagner had to fight hard to limit the damage at the break (58-44), but the hope was short-lived…
The Cavaliers drive the point home
Upon returning from the locker room, Orlando was indeed unable to stop an unleashed Evan Mobley. The interior split a lay-up to start the second half before offering a 3-pointer then a block on Jonathan Isaac. He then took advantage of Darius Garland's perfect drive to be served on a platter and place a ready-made dunk to once again relegate the Magic to a good distance (67-49). As during most of the match, Orlando struggled not to sink. Even if they flirted with chaos, Gary Harris and especially Paolo Banchero managed to preserve the suspense with the help of Franz Wagner by reducing the gap to -15 twelve minutes from the end (80-65).
While we thought that the locals' 7-0 had definitely put the Floridians' heads under water, with Max Strus to get the ball rolling then a lay-up and a 3-pointer from Darius Garland to drive the point home, Orlando achieved yet another tour de force, going 13-0 to get back below the ten point gap (87-78), the work of the Suggs-Harris-Banchero trio and the Wagner brothers! But as could be expected, Cleveland was assured in the final, finding the right path on two baskets from Donovan Mitchell before a final basket from Evan Mobley and the expulsion of Moritz Wagner for six fouls ended the game. suspense.
Winners 96-86 on a final dunk from Isaac Okoro, the Cavaliers are at 2-0 before heading to the Amway Center in Orlando for the rest of the series.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The defense has the floor. The Magic have built their success this season through their defensive solidity and their ability to muzzle their opponent to take control of the tempo of the match. But it is clear that the Floridians have stumbled upon a bone since the start of this series against Cleveland. This night again, it was the Cavs who were masters of the pace of the game by relying on their defense to take the best from the start of the game, relying on their defensive leaders ranging from Isaac Okoro to the pair Allen-Mobley to take Orlando at its own game. Cleveland held on until 6 minutes from the end, since Orlando had only scored 69 points at this point in the match, before placing a 13-0 which revived the end of the match, without the Ohio franchise being worried.
– Jalen Suggs’ knee. We thought that Jalen Suggs' evening had ended at the end of the first quarter, when the back collapsed after knee-to-knee contact with Donovan Mitchell, causing a nice twist in his left leg. We could fear the worst given the hyperextension caused and the exit of the player, carried by his teammates. But Jalen Suggs is tough! He put on protection over his entire left leg, and gritted his teeth to return to the field to help his poorly embarked teammates. We can wonder about the relevance of his choice given that he was not 100% and his team collapsed as soon as they returned from the locker room. We must hope for the Magic staff that this is just a blow that will not result in short-term unavailability.
– More mature Cavs. We feel that JB Bickerstaff's men learned from their first experience in the playoffs last season, and managed these first two home games much better, where they failed against the Knicks a year ago. With practically the same major five (only Max Strus replaced Paolo Banchero), Cleveland showed maturity in making each opposing mistake pay, and did not tremble when the pressure changed sides at the start of the “money- time”. Conversely, the Magic seemed to be struggling in these first two games, making us think a little… of last year's Cavs in the playoffs. To see if the rest of the series in Orlando will confirm this first impression of mastery on the part of the Cavs after two games.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
