Donovan Mitchell‘s 23-point performance combined with Jarrett Allen‘s dominant 20-rebound display saw the Cleveland Cavaliers secure a hard-fought 96-86 victory over the Orlando Magic in Game 2 of their first-round Eastern Conference series. Mitchell’s leadership from the start set the tone for the Cavs as they maintained their lead throughout the game, replicating their Game 1 success.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have shown remarkable resilience in the playoffs, eager to make amends for last year’s early exit. Evan Mobley‘s 17-point contribution and Allen’s 16 points, along with nine crucial offensive rebounds, proved pivotal for the Cavs. On the Magic side, Paolo Banchero‘s 21 points and Franz Wagner‘s 18 points weren’t enough to push past the determined Cavaliers.
Magic guard Jalen Suggs suffered a setback when he went down with a sprained left knee early in the first quarter. However, his emotional return after halftime, despite the injury, showed his commitment. Coach Jamahl Mosley‘s coaching efforts couldn’t lift the Magic out of their shooting woes, as they struggled to convert on only 36% of their field goal attempts.
Despite a brief rally in the fourth quarter, the Magic couldn’t close the gap, allowing the Cavaliers to take a commanding 2-0 series lead. With the series shifting to Orlando for Game 3, the Magic will look to regroup and overcome their offensive struggles in front of their home crowd.
The Cleveland Cavaliers’ collective effort has positioned them favorably in the series, with their sights set on advancing to the next round of the playoffs. The Magic, on the other hand, face an uphill battle as they aim to claw back from a 0-2 deficit in the best-of-seven series.
Credit Gist New Today News in Newspaper Nigeria Headlines