Orlando Magic Daily 🤖2d ago
The #Magic are desperate for a win as they head to Cleveland to take on the #Cavs. Last national TV game! Here we go!
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The #Magic with a Bane three, a Paolo turnaround fadeaway and a Jamal Cain pull-up three to open the game. Offense is playing with good energy early on. Not sure I would call this playing down 10. But it's a good start.

8-5 ORL, 9:47 1st

Mar 25 at 12:16amWeb
Show threadOrlando Magic Daily 🤖2d ago

Two leak out dunks for the #Cavs early on off of missed threes. The #Magic are 3 for 6 with 11 total field goals. Their success is still in the paint and getting to the line. They can't settle for outside shots.

19-15 ORL, 6:18 1st

Show threadOrlando Magic Daily 🤖2d ago

I have been very critical of Paolo Banchero throughout the season for drifting through games at times. This is the kind of game he is capable of. He is not going to let the #Magic lose tonight. He has 16 points on 5-for-7 shooting already.

29-28 ORL, 2:18 1st

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The #Magic shoot 7 for 12 from deep capped with a desperation Jevon Carter three from the corner. The offense certainly played like they were down 10. The defense? Not so much.

#Magic lead the #Cavs 39-32 after the first quarter.

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I am going to be blunt... there are too many players who are unplayable in the Playoffs. Noah Penda is making a ton of mistakes on D with late rotations and is not a threat at all offensively unless it is a dunk. Eager to see this kid. But he's not ready.

43-41 ORL, 9:19 2nd

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The #Cavs were always going to make a run. The #Magic were always going to cool off. The offense has looked a lot more aimless now, not getting the ball in good spots to score, forcing Paolo further from the basket.

This is a gut-check point for Orlando.

52-47 CLE, 6:42 2nd

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Paolo only has one point in this quarter. The #Magic are not doing nearly as good of a job getting the ball to Paolo in the post or giving him room when he gets there. He is trying to force his way to the line and the #Cavs are poking it away from him.

59-56 CLE, 3:29 2nd

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The #Magic's low-man coverage and second-effort tracking movement and motion have been extremely poor tonight. Hard to switch on the perimeter without low-man help.

64-58 CLE, 2:23 2nd

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Paolo Banchero called for a foul as Harden drains a three at the second quarter buzzer. Undos a really strong finish to the quarter. Unfortunate because it didn't seem Paolo touched him. He landed by the time Paolo made contact.

#Cavs take a 72-68 lead over the #Magic at half.

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It's another slow start to the third quarter. The #Cavs score six straight points. The #Magic aren't winning without defensive effort. The effort and precision on that end have been poor all night.

78-68 CLE, 10:47 3rd

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Carter picks up two fouls in the first 4:20 of the third quarter trying to defend guards on the perimeter. The #Magic are not able to make up ground simply because they are feeding the #Cavs free points. Paolo isn't scoring like he was in the first.

88-79 CLE, 7:25 3rd

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#Magic had a chance to tie the game. But Goga Bitadze had the ball stripped at the rim. Sam Merrill hit a fastbreak layup. Then Harden hit a three. #Magic playing their minutes without Paolo now. Got to finish the quarter strong.

96-91 CLE, 3:07 3rd

Show threadOrlando Magic Daily 🤖2d ago
Sorry, Paolo is not out. He will have to sit eventually (or maybe not). The #Magic just have so few options to attack off the bounce.
Show threadOrlando Magic Daily 🤖2d ago
The #Magic have probably made the right decision to go to a Paolo at the 5 lineup. Goga Bitadze has been really rough on defense tonight. Just not tracking rollers. Paolo Banchero with a tough layup to end the quarter. But the #Magic trail the #Cavs 105-97 after three.
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Again, another runout after a made basket. Moe took advantage of the smaller defender to score a layup and nobody got back to stop Mobley who got an easy dunk. Moe was busting his butt to get back. Had no chance.

116-107 CLE, 7:52 4th

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Successful challenge for Jamahl Mosley as Dennis Schroder was late taking a charge on Tristan da Silva. Huge swing as da Silva gets an and-1 off of it. #Magic are making their push to get back into the game.

116-112 CLE, 7:20 4th

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The #Magic had the deficit down to four. Then James Harden made a ridiculous behind-the-back pass to Max Strus for a three. Just doesn't feel like the Magic have the same ability to make plays that crush your soul as the #Cavs do.

123-114 CLE, 5:19 4th

Show threadOrlando Magic Daily 🤖2d ago

Carter makes a huge block that gets the #Magic in transition. But Jamal Cain goes one on three in transition and misses a wild layup. The #Cavs extend a six point lead to eight with a Mitchell free throw.

Just can't make the big play tonight.

131-123 CLE, 2:02 4th

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Results matter too much to give credit for the fight. But if the #Magic can figure out some stops, the #Magic are still fighting in this one. Wendell Carter only splits his free throws though. Again, not making the plays you need here.

131-126 CLE, 1:06 4th

Show threadOrlando Magic Daily 🤖2d ago

Jamal Cain has just taken minutes he has given and demanded more. Another really good game from him. I criticize two-way usage a ton, he has been a solid two-way pick up. Wouldn't mind reserving the 14th roster spot for him next year. He'll help.

131-128 CLE, 0:18.9 4th

Show threadOrlando Magic Daily 🤖2d ago

The #Magic made their push too late. Donovan Mitchell gets leverage past Desmond Bane and gets the floater over Carter. #Cavs up five. Time was always against Orlando.

133-128 CLE, 0:13.7 4th