Back-to-back difficult to negotiate for Magicwho receives the Riders, the fittest team in the league (seven wins in a row). This was also observed immediately, since the Cavs started with a 7-0, transformed into 21-7 then 38-19 at the end of the first quarter.
Never led and launched by this great start, the teammates of Donovan Mitchell (25 points, 13 assists, 4 interceptions) and surprising Sam Merrill (26 points, including 8 award-winning baskets) then increased their lead, to increase it to +36 in the second half, and thus move towards a comfortable success (126-99).
This is the eighth consecutive victory for Clevelandmore than ever clinging to 4th place in the East, while Orlando remains stuck in 8th place despite this heavy setback.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– And eight for Cleveland. Since the injuries to Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, the Cavaliers have had an excellent record of 13 wins and 3 losses, moving from 9th to 4th place in the East. Last night, they scored their eighth success in a row, not giving the Magic the slightest chance, overwhelmed from the first minutes and unable to catch up afterwards. It must be said that JB Bickerstaff's group exploded a fairly solid Florida defense this season, notably converting 20 3-point baskets (at 53%). A steamroller that crushed everything in its path…
– When Sam Merrill catches fire. One half, six 3-point baskets. This is what the Cavs' house sniper accomplished in the first period. Untenable behind the arc (6/7), Sam Merrill thus planted 20 of his 26 units before the break, helping Cleveland to build its large advantage on the scoreboard, notably on passes from a particularly clean and clean Donovan Mitchell. easy. The Cavaliers' winning duo, quite simply.
– Franchise record for Jarrett Allen. By signing a 12th consecutive double-double, the pivot writes his name in the history book of the Cavaliers, doing better than the 11 double-doubles in a row of Elmore Smith (1977-78) and Andre Drummond (2020-21) . Proof of its importance in Cleveland's current success and its level of play revised upwards in the absence of Evan Mobley.
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.
