The Cleveland Cavaliers(15-8) were home again on Friday night as they faced the Orlando Magic(5-18). As expected, Cleveland finished the job and defeated the Magic 107-96 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Cleveland led by as many as 20 points in this contest.
Here’s the Great, Not So Great, and the Bottom Line of the Cavs’ win over the Magic.
Great:
Donovan Mitchell shot it well as he was 12/21 from the field and ended the night with 34 points, including seven threes. He scored 13 in the first quarter and 16 points in the third.
Evan Mobley continues to start at center with Jarrett Allen(back) out, and he continues to get the job done. Mobley was 9/10 from the field and finished with 19 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks. This was his third double-double in the last four games, and Mobley has eight double-doubles this season.
Kevin Lowe returned after missing five games with a thumb injury, and he gave the Cavs some great minutes off the bench, as he finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Third Quarter: The Cavs brought it on both ends of the court in this quarter. They shot 63% from the field, including 57% from downtown. In addition, they held the Magic to 40% shooting. Ultimately, they outscored the Magic 28-17 in the quarter, and it took an 18-point lead into the fourth.
Not So Great:
Fourth Quarter: The Cavs got outscored 32-25 in the quarter. Big deal? Not really, but hey, maybe it hurts them against a better team.
Bottom Line:
This was a win the Cavs expected to get. You don’t lose to the Orlando Magic at home.
Dean Wade did leave with a shoulder injury; hopefully, it’s nothing serious.
Cleveland travels to New York to play the Knicks on Sunday, and then they have three straight at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse against the Lakers, Kings, and Thunder, so based on the way they’re playing at home(10-1), they could string together some wins in the next week.
What’s Next:
Cleveland goes to New York to battle the Knicks on Sunday.
Best of the Rest:
Darius Garland had 18 points and six assists. Lamar Stevens, who missed the last three games due to illness, returned and scored eight points.
Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 22 points; Moritz and Franz Wagner had 16 points apiece.
