The Cleveland Cavaliers aim to bring the pressure on the Magic as they face off in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series in Orlando.
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The Cleveland Cavaliers aim to bring the pressure on the Magic as they face off in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series in Orlando, Fla. They’re looking to put the Magic on the ropes and edge closer to knocking them out of the playoffs.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavs to two wins in Cleveland to kick off the best-of-seven series. The five-time All-Star dropped 30 points in the Cavs’ 97-83 victory over the Magic in the first game on Saturday, and then put up 23 points in their 96-86 win on Monday.
On Monday, Jarrett Allen notched his fifth playoff double-double and his second of the series. He scored 16 points for the second game in a row and grabbed a career-high 20 rebounds in the playoffs. Allen joined Brad Daugherty and Kevin Love as the third Cavalier in franchise history to snag 20 rebounds in a playoff game.
Allen has pulled down a whopping 38 rebounds in the first two games of the series, and Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff couldn’t be happier about it.
For the Cavaliers, Jerome and Porter will not be playing the game. As for the Magic, no such injuries have been reported.
Orlando, who had a strong 29-12 record at home this season, is finally hosting their first playoff game since April 21, 2019. The idea of having his team play in front of what he anticipates to be a loud and lively crowd wasn’t overlooked by Magic coach Jamahl Mosley.
For that to happen, Orlando probably needs to get off to a quicker start. The Magic have found themselves trailing by the end of the first quarter in 13 out of their last 15 games, going back to the regular season.
In the series opener, Orlando’s Paolo Banchero put up 24 points, and he followed that up with another 21-point game on Monday. Franz Wagner has been consistent, scoring 18 points and grabbing seven rebounds in both games so far.
Even though he’s dealing with a left knee injury from Monday’s game, the Magic’s top perimeter defender, Jalen Suggs, plans to suit up for Game 3. Banchero has to step up his game, especially in taking care of the ball; he’s coughed up the rock 15 times in the first two games.
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