After an embarrassing first-round exit final season, the Cleveland Cavaliers obtained this 12 months’s playoff journey off to a great begin with a snug win over the Orlando Magic in Recreation 1 on Saturday. They will look to take full management of the sequence on Monday evening when the groups meet once more for Recreation 2.
The Magic, however, will hope to really feel extra comfy following what was the primary postseason sport for his or her younger core. As a group, they completed 28-of-86 (32.6%) from the sector for his or her worst taking pictures efficiency of the whole season. Even for a group that may battle to attain at occasions, Recreation 1 was brutal.
Forward of Recreation 2, here is every thing you must know:
Cavaliers vs. Magic Recreation 2
- Date: Monday, April 22 | Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Location: Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse — Cleveland, Ohio
- TV channel: NBA TV | Dwell stream: fubo (attempt totally free)
- Odds: Cavaliers -5.5 | O/U 203.5
Storylines
Cavaliers: The very best information for the Cavaliers in Recreation 1 is that Donovan Mitchell appeared like his standard self once more as he completed with 30 factors on 11-of-21 from the sector. He struggled down the stretch, failing to succeed in the 20-point mark in 5 consecutive video games at one level, which is a serious cause they weren’t capable of seize a better seed. They want him taking part in just like the All-NBA model of himself in the event that they wish to win this sequence, and he did in Recreation 1. Now, can he stick with it in opposition to an elite Orlando protection?
Magic: Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner performed pretty effectively on Saturday contemplating it was their first-ever playoff sport, however they obtained no assist in anyway. Gary Harris, Joe Ingles, Cole Anthony and Markelle Fultz mixed to go 0-of-19 from the sector and Jalen Suggs’ 4-of-16 effort wasn’t significantly better. That is merely not ok, and the Magic want their supporting solid to be significantly better transferring ahead on this sequence.
Prediction
Neither group broke 100 in Recreation 1, which is simply the kind of sport the Magic needed, they usually nonetheless misplaced by double digits. That bodes poorly for his or her hopes the remainder of the way in which. I am going to take the Cavaliers to win and canopy. Decide: Cavs -5.5