The start of the match was very rhythmic with Franz Wagner scoring 14 points in the first quarter, won by the Magic (29-25). The rest is less brilliant because the Cavaliers are very clumsy from afar. They only exist through the penetrations of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland.
The proof: at the break, they scored 40 of their 49 points in the paint. The Magic can count on the winning shots of Jalen Suggs to be in front (53-49).
But half-time broke the legs of the Orlando players, who recovered very poorly. Donovan Mitchell is still as sharp as ever. The guard even found a little success behind the arc, and the Cavaliers went 13-0 to take control. The Magic reacted quickly and well with an 8-0. But Donovan Mitchell, again, made two baskets, including the second at the buzzer, to conclude the third quarter (73-78).
Mitchell mode is then activated on the Cleveland side. All the balls go through him, and he is the only offensive danger since he takes all the shots. Opposite, it's more varied, with Franz Wagner, then also Paolo Banchero, who shows himself more, and Suggs who hits 3-pointers. The offensive play of the Cavaliers being very readable, the Magic can push Mitchell and his teammates to make mistakes. Errors pile up on Cleveland's side and the Magic manages, without trembling on free throws, to win 103-96 to claim a Game 7.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Donovan Mitchell alone in the world. With 50 points at 22/36 shooting, the rear had a huge match. He carried his team and intelligently pressed penetrations rather than lighting up from distance. But if he was helped by Darius Garland before the break, in the second half, he found himself alone in the world, taking half of his team's shots and scoring all the points for the Cavaliers (18) in the last quarter! As strong as he is, he would have needed support to topple the Magic.
– Mistakes in the last quarter. If the Cavaliers lacked variety, relying solely on Donovan Mitchell to make the difference, they also lacked accuracy in the final moments. The symbol of this observation? The ball lost by Darius Garland, for violation of 8 seconds, three minutes from the end, while the playmaker had no pressure to recover the ball! In addition, the Magic was then in a strong period. With seven lost balls and five offensive rebounds left to the Magic in the last act, JB Bickerstaff's players made too many errors to save themselves and it is they who will have regrets.
– The Magic trio. Donovan Mitchell's 50 points logically take up all the space, but the Magic were looking for their qualification, and did not only take advantage of the Cavaliers' errors to pick up this Game 7 that fell from the sky. Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs and Paolo Banchero were very good, compiling 75 points. The first started the match, the second was a plague, always very energetic with useful award-winning shots, and the last put in important shots in the last act.
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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.
