Donovan Mitchell scored 30 factors, Jarrett Allen posted a 16-point, 18-rebound double-double, and the No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers led wire-to-wire to take Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff sequence at residence in opposition to the Orlando Magic, 97-83, on Saturday.
Cleveland scored Game 1’s first six factors and jumped to an 11-point lead early, with Evan Mobley scoring eight of his 16 factors on the day lower than six minutes in. The Cavaliers by no means appeared again after their preliminary begin, pushing their benefit to as many as 20 factors.
“Our initial start was a big portion,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley mentioned of the Cavaliers’ means to tug forward. “Our group was poised and we were able to fight back. But when you go 19-of-30 from the free-throw line, 8-of-(37) from (3-point range), it’s hard to make up ground in those areas.”
After falling behind by 14 factors popping out of halftime, nonetheless, Orlando stormed again to tug inside 4 factors. Paolo Banchero, who scored a team-high 24 factors, hit a 3-pointer to cap a 12-2 run.
Banchero’s scoring output matched Shaquille O’Neal for essentially the most by an Orlando participant in his first playoff sport. Banchero additionally had seven rebounds and 5 assists on Saturday.
Jalen Suggs scored six of his 13 factors through the surge.
Cleveland regained management going into the fourth quarter when Caris LeVert closed the third interval ending on layups whereas being fouled. He transformed one of many two and-one alternatives, accounting for all 5 of his factors for the sport coming off the bench.
The Cavaliers saved the run going into the fourth quarter earlier than Orlando battled again to inside a single-digit margin. Cleveland answered every Magic comeback push, nonetheless, due to an impressive defensive effort.
Game 2 is Monday evening in Cleveland.
The Cavaliers held the Magic to only 32.6 % taking pictures from the ground at 28 of 86, together with 8 of 37 from 3-point vary.
Allen credited the defensive depth largely to the reserves.
“We wanted to bring the physicality from the beginning,” Allen instructed Bally Sports Cleveland. “Guys like Georges (Niang), guys like Isaac (Okoro), they threw the first punch.”
Niang and Okoro every made a steal — a part of the 9 the Cavaliers swiped altogether — and Okoro blocked a shot. Mobley’s double-double efficiency, which included 11 rebounds, additionally produced three blocked pictures to match Orlando’s Franz Wagner and Jonathan Isaac for the game-high.
Isaac and Wagner every scored in double-figures for the Magic with 10 and 18 factors, and their play on protection helped give Orlando hope for a rally. Isaac made three steals to go along with his three rejections, whereas Gary Harris added one other three steals and Suggs swiped two.
The Magic’s play on protection pressured Cleveland right into a prolonged 3-point taking pictures drought. After making their first 5, the Cavaliers missed 15 straight 3-point makes an attempt from the late first quarter by means of the third.
Darius Garland snapped the chilly spell to open the fourth quarter, nonetheless, a part of his 14 factors. Garland additionally dished eight assists.
Another well timed 3-pointer got here from Mitchell with 4:44 remaining, a part of his game-high in scoring, to stymie an Orlando rally try and successfully put the sport away.
Mitchell shot 3 of 8 from deep and 11 of 21 from the ground general. Mobley shot 2-of-4 from 3-point vary, 6-of-12 from the ground general, and grabbed 11 rebounds. Max Strus added one other 9 rebounds to go together with seven factors.
Source: www.anews.com.tr
