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Overview: Orlando and Cleveland are similar in that they are excellent defensively and slightly below average offensively. In terms of points per 100 possessions (excluding garbage time) Orlando ranks 22nd in points scored while the Cavs are 6th in points allowed. On the other end of the court, the Cavs are 18th in scoring while Orlando is 2nd in scoring defense. Both teams feature defenses that are much better than the opposing offenses. The Cavaliers and Magic ranked 14th and 15th in effective field goal percentage. Rebounding: Orlando ranks 7th in offensive rebound percentage while the Cavs rank 7th in defensive rebounding percentage, so they are both strong on the glass when Orlando misses a shot. The Magic averaged 10.5...

The playoffs are upon us. So is judgment day. For the Cavs, this team’s pathway is directly correlated to how the playoffs turn out. Disappoint again, and change could be at the doorstep. Exceed expectations, and it could mean Cleveland keeps its superstar. Standing in the Cavs way first is the Orlando Magic. The teams split the season series 2-2. Over the last two seasons in games where Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland played the Cavs are 3-1. Wendell Carter Jr played in two of the four games this season. Jonathan Isaac played in two. Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland played in three games. Evan Mobley played in two games and Caris LeVert in one. Of course, Dean Wade played in all four matchups. The Cavs had their full...

It would typically be overdramatic to say one game was one of the most important games in franchise history but in this case the statement really might be true. With a superstar’s player option hanging in the background (sound familiar?) playoff success is really the only success that will determine next steps. So of course, the lack of playoff success, in back-to-back first rounds, nonetheless, would mean a lot. For all that was invested, it could easily go *poof*. But that’s a discussion for another day. That conversation can be blocked from the airwaves the same way Evan Mobley blocked Franz Wagner’s shot. Cleveland has a thing for late game dramatics including blocked shots, and Mobley played his part in adding to it. One could say...

Whatever good vibes were had after the first two games is out the window. Losing isn’t unexpected and is understandable. Losing in a fashion they did, the worst in playoff franchise history, is unacceptable. Every playoff series is like its own regular season – there’s ups and downs and every game seem like the highest high or the lowest low. If there’s anything this Cavaliers season has taught us is that they’re consistently inconsistent on a game-by-game basis. There’s no predicting what was around the next corner. We knew the Magic would bounce back shooting wise and would come out ready returning home after two tough losses to open the series. What we didn’t know is the Cavs wouldn’t come out ready. The Cavs look like they had...

The Cavaliers took care of business. They did their job and are headed to Orlando up 2-0. Was it pretty? No. But it worked. Do the Cavs win these types of games without the experience of New York last year? Maybe, but it’s hard to argue that past experiences haven’t led to current success. Win the rebounding battle? Check. Match the physicality? Check. Make enough perimeter shots to win? Check. Game 2 started a lot like Game 1: The Magic missed their first 3 3PA while Donovan Mitchell nailed his first 3PA along with two free throws. And just as quickly as that happened, the Cavs followed it up with back-to-back turnovers. One thing that’s been pretty consistent through these first two games is the Cavs defensive intensity and...

One down. *breathes a sigh of relief* It’s only one game but after the bad taste of last year’s playoffs, it was important to come out strong, and play a complete game. It’s also important to note teams that win Game 1 in any series go on to win that series about 75% of the time. More than anything else, the Knicks punched the Cavs first and the Cavs often didn’t know how to punch back. While the Magic are no New York team, they looked to be every bit as physical and relentless. They brought the fight to the Cavs, and the Cavs looked like they were ready for it. Playoff series can either make or break you and after one game, it looks like the New York series made the Cavs in game one. One of the bigger stories heading into game was how...

@The Oi and @RchfldCavRaised jump in the studio to celebrate the end of the regular season and the anticipation of the playoffs starting this weekend while discussing: Guardians are taking care of business to start the season Rch has a movie and record recommendation that will have you "dreaming" while "on your own way" Blowback from the Hornets game ending Play-In game results Deep dive on first round series with Orlando Jig gets a record recommendation from his daughter that will take you back to the turn of the century Call in and shoot your shot with a :24 second take to be part of the next show 216-282-6289 or join the conversation by creating a profile, reading the rules and adding to the best NBA fan forum online at...

After a huge win over Indiana to clinch a playoff spot the Cavs look to improve their seeding in the final regular season game as they host the Charlotte Hornets. The Hornets are 20-61 overall and 9-31 on the road. However, the Cavs have announced that Mitchell, LeVert, and Merrill are out and Garland is doubtful for this game, so it could be that now that home court advantage has been secured they don’t care who they play in the first round. But after today they won’t play for at least six days so I don’t know why they wouldn’t play everybody who is healthy. LeVert is out due to knee “soreness” and Mitchell to “injury management”. It looks to me like the Cavs don’t care which seed they end up with. If all of them are out then we...