2023-24 Playoff Series #1 | Game 2 | Magic @ Cavs | April 22, 2024

[Cavatt]

I expect both teams will shoot better and we'll have a score like 105-100 or thereabouts. The Cavs averaged 112.5 against the Magic in the regular season so they were 15.5 points under while the Magic were 23.5 points under.

Part of that might be first game playoff jitters and part might be the refs calling fewer fouls and letting the defense be more physical.

I can't see any way the Magic's guards go 4-for-35 again and Banchero won't commit nine turnovers. They will definitely score more than 83 points. That was their lowest total of the season.

The Cavs will need to shoot better to win this one, especially on 3's. They won't win many games shooting 27% from distance.

Garland and Mitchell need to stop getting into the paint and then leaving their feet without a clean shot or an open man to pass to. If Garland's back is bothering him they should have Mitchell or LeVert bring the ball up.

Regs called fewer fouls, but magic got 30 fts. Man I hope they don't call it like "normal"

 

[ChicagoCavFan]

There was a time I wanted Isaac on the Cavs - seemed like a great SF candidate after the LBJ years.

I see him now and the dude looks like a Center? Did he inject growth hormones during his recovery?

 

[AustinCarr]

Regs called fewer fouls, but magic got 30 fts. Man I hope they don't call it like "normal"

Okoro's face might get called for a tech against Wagner's foot if it were called "normal".

 

[kevincleveland]

schedule loss

 

[jmilo]

There was a time I wanted Isaac on the Cavs - seemed like a great SF candidate after the LBJ years.

I see him now and the dude looks like a Center? Did he inject growth hormones during his recovery?

Jonathan Isaac?

He's always been a big man.

 

[Don-no-vann!]

The reason the score was so low last game is that the refs swallowed their whistles, like apparently they have been doing in all the playoff games. I think it's beyond ridiculous that they make such an abrupt change from how it's officiated in the regular season. They need to keep it consistent otherwise it's going to lead to some serious, career-altering injuries. Also, I take issue with the commentators saying how much more physical it was in the back in the day -- I've been an NBA fan since the 60s; the players are more athletic today. Supposedly hand checking is prohibited by the defender but now every guard does it like Allen Iverson, using his body, shoulder, and forearm to push off. They didn't use that tactic back in the day.

 

[Mr. Orange]

Cavs in 4

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

Mo Wagner comes off the bench with tremendous energy and intensity. He's extremely physical and looks for contact.

When we lost to them 116 to 109 in February he had 22 points in 25 minutes plus seven rebounds. He really got them going and was probably the reason they won, along with Mitchell being out. I could see him getting more minutes tonight.

 

[AustinCarr]

Mo Wagner comes off the bench with tremendous energy and intensity. He's extremely physical and looks for contact.

When we lost to them 116 to 109 in February he had 22 points in 25 minutes plus seven rebounds. He really got them going and was probably the reason they won, along with Mitchell being out. I could see him getting more minutes tonight.

Mo Wagner is the archetype of player who has bothered this team for years now: Burly "tough guy" goons

I'd consider shifting substitution patterns a bit to have Allen or TT in there when he is in (Most of the time). Wagner seems a bit like a basketball Scott Farkus (Christmas Story). He will bully and bully, but when guys stand up to him he wilts. We just need guys to not back down.

 

[foucault87]

Mo Wagner is the archetype of player who has bothered this team for years now: Burly "tough guy" goons

I'd consider shifting substitution patterns a bit to have Allen or TT in there when he is in (Most of the time). Wagner seems a bit like a basketball Scott Farkus (Christmas Story). He will bully and bully, but when guys stand up to him he wilts. We just need guys to not back down.

The term is oaf

 

[Thelastcavsfan]

Yeah don’t make Mo a bigger deal than he is.

 

[AustinCarr]

The term is oaf

Ehhh, I dont think of him as an oaf. To me he is a goon. Andre Drummond is an oaf. Chris Dudley was an Oaf. Paul Mokeski was an oaf. Uwe Blab was an oaf.

Mo Wagner is far too coordinated and ill intended to be an oaf, IMO. And oaf is a big clumsy goofy guy. A good is a big guy with bad intentions. Two different things in my mind.

 

[Thelastcavsfan]

I wouldn’t call him a goon. He plays physical. It’s how every big should play. If Allen played with his toughness and energy he’d be an mvp

 

[Marcus]

Mobley needs to go off for 30.

He was well on his way Saturday until he just stopped trying to score the ball. Whether he was frozen out or just stopped demanding it (or a combination of both), he only took two shots after halftime.

The Evan Mobley we saw in the first half on Saturday makes this team’s prospects a lot brighter. Definitely need more of that.

 

[Real Deal]

3 more hours!