After an embarrassing 89-112 loss to the Magic in Game 4 (tying the series at 2-2), the Cavaliers bounced back with a win in game five. They won by a single point, with the final score being 103-104. With Cleveland now up in the series 3-2, here’s a look back as the Cavaliers take game five against the Magic.
Jarrett Allen suffered a rib injury in Game 4, and sat the night out. In his absence, Cleveland started Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Isaac Okoro and Evan Mobley.
Mobley was the biggest factor in Cleveland’s victory, as he finished with a 14 point, 13 rebound double-double. He also had two steals and two blocks, one of which saved the game. With five seconds left in the game, and the Cavaliers up by two, Mobley blocked a layup from Franz Wagner with Strus grabbing the board.
Mitchell also had a quality night, finishing with 28 points, six rebounds and two assists. He did struggle from deep, making only one of nine attempts, but was still the team high scorer.
Garland also made an impact for the Cavaliers, finishing with 23 points and five rebounds and assists a piece. He also committed only two turnovers, an accomplishment for the guard this season.
Strus was a factor in multiple facets of the game, finishing with 16 points, six rebounds and five assists.
Morris Sr had one of his better games, with 12 points and three boards with a 44.4 field goal percentage.
Paolo Banchero pumped out another inflated stat line, as he continues to be this team’s driving factor. He finished with 39 points, eight rebounds and four assists. He also had a couple massive dunks and was making buckets late, as his development into one of the leagues most exciting young players continues to unfold.
Franz Wagner finished with 14 points, five boards and six assists. Although it was far from the 34 point performance he had in Game 4, Wagner still proves to be one of the Magic’s best players.
The only other Magic player to score in the double digits was Jalen Suggs, with 13 points. Suggs has been a spark plug for the Magic in this series, and the Cavaliers keeping him from getting hot proved to be a great benefit.
Mo Wagner, although not putting up any eye-popping numbers, is the Magic’s top instigator. He’s been a thorn in the side of Cleveland’s momentum all series.
Although this game was a blowout, it still had the potential to be just as deflating. Losing by one can drain a team’s morale, and the Cavaliers will need any advantage they can get as they’ve played horribly in Orlando.
Cleveland is averaging an atrocious 86 points, 30.5 rebounds and 24 assists a game on the road in this series. This is also with a 125.5 defensive rating, meaning they aren’t just losing but getting blown out.
Although their performances so far in Orlando have left a lot to desire, it’s still promising coming off of this Game 5 victory.
Mitchell, although not looking great, still managed to score the most on the team. Mobley is looking like the player he’s been hyped up to be, and Garland is finally playing with his old rhythm. By all accounts, at least on their own end, these Cavaliers are primed to advance in the series. If they can’t take Game 6 in Orlando (which their numbers indicate will be a skyscraper-tall order), they should certainly be able to take Game 7 in Cleveland.
Game 6 in Orlando tips off this Friday in Orlando.
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Featured photo courtesy of NBA.com
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