The Cleveland Cavaliers have taken control of their first round series against the Orlando Magic. Through excellent scoring and defensive play Cleveland has managed to outplay Orlando is just about every category. Here’s a look as the Cavaliers start the Magic series strong.
Cleveland’s performance
The Cavaliers have been playing extremely well in these first two games. At least compared to their performance in last year’s postseason.
In the first two games the Cavaliers are averaging 96.5 points, 51.0 rebounds and 19.5 assists. They’re shooting with a 42.9 field goal percentage, and a subpar 29.0 three point percentage.
On the defensive end they’re coming up with an average of 10 steals and five blocks, with a 90.2 defensive rating. The Cavaliers actually have the lowest defensive rating of any team in the playoffs through the first two games. The closest performance is the 90.3 defensive rating put up by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Donovan Mitchell is averaging 26.5 points, five rebounds and 3.5 assists in the series. He’s also averaging two steals and a 46.5 field goal percentage.
Darius Garland is also playing well, averaging 14.5 points, three boards and six assists. He’s also averaging an impressive 50.0 field goal percentage, yet turning the ball over an average of 4.5 times. While the accuracy from Garland is a welcomed factor, the turnovers have been a season-long issue. While it likely won’t cost them the series against Orlando, it could very well lead to losses in the next round.
Jarrett Allen may be the most impressive Cavalier so far, though. Averaging a 16 point, 19 rebound double double with 1.5 blocks, Allen is doing to the Magic what the Knicks did to him last season. In game two Allen grabbed 20 boards, tying Brad Daugherty’s record for rebounds in a single playoff game. He was only one rebound short of tying Kevin Love’s franchise record of 21 in game one of the 2017 NBA Finals.
Orlando woes
The Magic, on the other hand, aren’t playing near as well. Not only have they lost the first two games, but they didn’t play well. They’re averaging less points (84.5), rebounds (40.5) and assists (17) than the Cavs. They’re also averaging a lower field goal percentage (34.3), and somehow an even lower three point percentage (23.6).
The Magic, on the positive side, are averaging as many steals (10) and one more block (6). They also have as many players averaging double digit scoring, with both teams having four. The difference however, is in the quantity of points. For the Cavaliers, Mitchell is averaging 26.5, Evan Mobley 16.5, Allen 16 and Garland 14.5. For the Magic, Paolo Banchero is averaging 22.5, Franz Wagner 18, and Jalen Suggs and Moritz Wagner are each averaging 11.
Banchero, the Magic’s top performer against Cavaliers and otherwise, is putting up rather hollow stats. The first game, for instance, Banchero scored 24 points with seven rebounds, five assists and a 52.9 percent field goal percentage. While this looks like a quality performance, he shot an abysmal 28.6 three point percentage and only made half his free throws. Despite the inefficient performance, he was still the Magic’s top performer.
Orlando is also posting a 103.0 defensive rating in the series. While lower than their season average defensive rating of 111.3, it still hasn’t been enough to contain the Cavs.
Looking ahead
As the series moves to Orlando, the Magic will look to shift their playstyle and take advantage of playing on their home court. With how Cleveland has been playing, though, it’ll be hard to make a change drastic enough to swing the series in their favor.
Cleveland is rolling, and showing no signs of slowing down.
They play next this Thursday night (April 25) in Orlando at 7:00 pm.
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Featured photo courtesy of NBA.com
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- Source: https://thegamehaus.com/sports/cavaliers-start-the-magic-series-strong/2024/04/25/
