The Cleveland Cavaliers just dropped Game 6 to the Orlando Magic 96-103. Game seven heads back to Cleveland, but will the Cavaliers be able to get the job done? Here’s a look back at the deflating loss as the Magic force Game 7 in Cleveland.
With Jarrett Allen still out, the Cavaliers went with a starting lineup of Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Marcus Morris Sr and Evan Mobley.
By far the highlight of the night for Cleveland, Donovan Mitchell played phenomenally. Finishing the game with 50 points and four rebounds and assists a piece, he kept the Cavs fighting.
Garland scored 21 points, with six rebounds and five assists. Shooting 58.8 percent from the field, he was one of Cleveland’s only saving graces on the offensive end.
Max Strus, with 10 points, was the only other Cavalier to score in double digits. He also had eight rebounds, an assist and a steal. Although no other Cav scored above four points, every player scored at least one.
Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner both had great games, with 27 and 26 points respectively. Banchero also had eight rebounds and four assists, putting up and overall quality performance.
Jalen Suggs finished with 22 points, six rebounds and four assists. Despite taking some questionable shots late that almost cost his team the game, he got hot and finished strong. When Suggs plays well, this team tends to play well as a whole.
The Cavaliers looked like the more inexperienced team of the two tonight. Aside from Mitchell doing his best to will his way into a victory, this team looked more rattled than the greener Magic.
Garland, while scoring an efficient 21, needs to contribute more on offense late in the game. He has the ability, but seems at time to prefer to give the ball up. A couple of costly turnovers late also damper his otherwise solid performance.
Garland and Mitchell accounted for almost three quarters of Cleveland’s points. In fact, Mitchell scored every point for the Cavaliers in the fourth quarter. Other Cavaliers will have to get involved offensively not only if Cleveland wants to advance in the series, but succeed beyond.
The Cavaliers were out-rebounded, with Orlando grabbing over twice as many offensive boards. Allen’s presence in the paint was sorely missed tonight. They also committed more turnovers.
This kind of unpolished basketball, spearheaded by two players scoring the vast majority of points, doesn’t lead to wins in the postseason. Even with the game three and four blowouts, this loss was a disappointment for Cleveland. The Cavaliers have played significantly better at home than on the road this series, but with Orlando outplaying them in almost every capacity tonight, the Magic just might be able to take Game 7.
The final game of the series tips off this Sunday (May 5) at 1:00pm. It’ll be a tense matchup, but all metrics point to Cleveland being able to advance.
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Featured photo courtesy of NBA.com
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