Between two teams who rely above all on their defense, and whose attack is limited, we did not expect an offensive festival. And that was indeed not the theme of the day in Cleveland…
For the big debut of these 2024 playoffs, Evan Mobley and his teammates are off to a very good start offensively, with a 5/5 from afar which puts the locals directly in the lead. Except that this address will completely fly away afterwards, allowing the Magic to stay in the game.
However, it is very complicated for Orlando in attack. Franz Wagner thus has a hard time breaking Ohio's first defensive curtain and, without a real outside shooter to watch in the team opposite, Jarrett Allen and company can camp in the racket to hinder all penetration attempts. .
Donovan Mitchell finds openings
The Magic clearly lack options forcing the Cavaliers to take two-man catches, which allows Cleveland's defense to never be too destabilized. In these conditions, Cleveland dominates (53-41) at the break.
The problem is that the Magic's defense is also well in place, and the Cavaliers' (complicated) outside shots refuse to go in, which allows the visitors to come back to two possessions.
Except that there is still more offensive talent on the Cleveland side. Donovan Mitchell thus manages to make a difference, while the accelerations of Darius Garland and Caris LeVert hurt the Magic at the end of the third quarter (73-58). The Wagner brothers try one last stand but it remains too limited.
First victory (97-83) ultimately logical for the Cavaliers, who can smile and breathe.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The least bad attack wins. After their 5/5 from distance to start, the Cavaliers therefore compiled a 3/25 at 3-points over the rest of the match. However, they generally controlled the game, because the Magic's offense was in even more difficulty. Paolo Banchero has to force himself to try to create differences when Franz Wagner doesn't succeed, and when Cole Anthony has a bad night, it turns into a disaster…
– A few sparks from the Cavs were enough. It must be said that the defenses were well in place, with physical density and scale. The difference is that Cleveland has a player (Donovan Mitchell) capable of making the difference by himself, and a few flammable gunners to replace him in sequences.
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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.
