2023-24 Playoff Series #1 | Game #3 | Cavs @ Magic | April 25, 2024

[Futuredome]

What worries me is now the Magic have tasted blood, they have their confidence back, and they've found the key to beating the Cavs; swarm the offensive glass like the Knicks did last year and play a more intense, more physical style of basketball.

Banchero knows the Cavs have no one both tall enough and strong enough to stop his mid-range jumpers. At 6'10" he shot over Strus, Niang, and Okoro. When Mobley was on him he simply slammed into him to create enough space to get the fallaway off.

Suggs was awful the first two games but the two days off to rest his knee really helped and he played like an All-Star tonight; 9-for-11, 24 points in 28 minutes, great defense, and a +25 when he was on the floor. He also had a couple of monster slams that set the tone, or reinforced it.

I don't know if the Cavs can recover from this beatdown. It's a finesse team against a group of maulers and in the playoffs the maulers have the edge.

Tasted blood??? The Cavs didn't break a sweat.

 

[Pierre Pan]

For any of you fellow masochists out there that are still up and want more punishment, the replay is about to air on NBA TV at 3:30 am

 

[Pierre Pan]

Watching the replay, Orlando missed its first NINE shots and only made the 10th because of an offensive rebound by Carter while 5 Cavalier players just stood around. JBB was forced to call a timeout after Banchero dislodged a rebound from Mobley’s butter fingers and so Suggs knocked down a 3 on another second chance opportunity; that was the beginning of the end.

Orlando then moved Suggs on Mitchell and their defense pushed us out to Siberia for the rest of the game. The Cavs stayed in touch and even regained the lead after a great JA block that led to a LeVert 3 (21-18). Once Mitchell went out for Garland at 1:44 , we were down 3 and that was all she wrote with Orlando stretching the lead to 10 by quarter’s end

 

[Dr. Claw]

this wasn't going to be a sweep, because the Cavs don't have a "sweep ready" roster (yet).
The rebounding dipped after 2 straight games of strong effort on that end.
The shooting (and lack thereof) should be the story of this game. All-time abysmal, and especially from the backcourt (which is what happened last series).
I don't think the physicality is all the issue.... the bad offensive design is. The rebounding mentality (which is why I think Game 2 was such a revelation, the Cavs finally were going for team effort thereabouts).

JA being the top scorer at 15 is unacceptable. He probably would have had his usual double double had JBB not completely pulled the plug. LeVert and Mobley being near the top of contributors is also a bad sign. The backcourt, Strus, and Niang need to show up on the scoreoard.

Cavs better figure out how to deal with Jalen Suggs. If it comes down to Embiid tactics, so be it. He needs to be taken out of the game and the series. In addition, everyone else not named Paolo Banchero is going to have to be FORCED to be the reason. That happened in this game, only Paolo also had the game of the series.

 

[ice cream man]

Missed the game. Read the last 10 pages or so. When I asked my friend who particularly sucked, he said “all 3 guards.” DG and DM have been healthy (enough) the past two postseasons. If they fail a second time, it has to be the end of them.

I don’t think I’ll watch the replay of this game. I hope going forward that Niang is benched in favor of Merill/Morris/Thompson. I see Merill hit a few threes which is nice to see, even if it was in garbage time. Not holding my breath on JBB changing/extending his rotation.

A positive is that JA and Mobley got some extra rest last night, lol. But to get dominated on the boards says that everyone had a bad game. So much for our advantage of playoff experience. Doesn't make sense as an advantage if you get killed on the road. Makes for a very intriguing Game 4.

 

[PIP]

Not really how you draw it up— but unlike the Detroit Pistons — we have another game to play…

 

[macbdog]

Just checking into this thread; oddly, no one at the beginning predicted a 40 point playoff loss.

 

[macbdog]

Donovan came up shorter than a midget last night. Orlando finally.used their size to dominate. This Cavs team needs the Wichita Lineman back, because the season is on the line.

 

[AustinCarr]

You skipping the Cavs game to watch the draft, the browns won’t be participating in?

Dude made the right call.

 

[Thelastcavsfan]

Anytime I criticize Mitchell I’m called a troll, but this is unacceptable.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

Didn't see the game, but from some of the comments, I have to ask if Mitchell shot any of his free throws left-handed.

 

[inliner311]

I couldn't watch this game live and won't bother to watch the replay. My question is was there any adjustments made by the magic in how they defended the cavs or were there any signs of extra wrinkles form the cavs? Game 4 is time for JB to show his stuff and find a way to get a groove back. Yes players could make more shots but also coaches can find ways to get players better shots.

I think Orlando was able to break down the Cavs offense and it showed with how they were able to get into the passing lanes. It seems like they really broken down the tendencies of Mitchell and Garland because if they weren't cutting into the passing lane, they were able to disrupt their ball handling.

With Garland and Mitchell not sharing the floor as much, I think it's easier to defend the Cavs once they realize that Mitchell or Garland are just going to be the focus of the offense. Levert and Strus just aren't threats as secondary ball handlers.

 

[avs2000]

I think Orlando was able to break down the Cavs offense and it showed with how they were able to get into the passing lanes. It seems like they really broken down the tendencies of Mitchell and Garland because if they weren't cutting into the passing lane, they were able to disrupt their ball handling.

With Garland and Mitchell not sharing the floor as much, I think it's easier to defend the Cavs once they realize that Mitchell or Garland are just going to be the focus of the offense. Levert and Strus just aren't threats as secondary ball handlers.

On The Athletic

Banchero was backing down Cavs' defenders, and then telling them they're too small after his shots went through the hoop. Suggs was screaming at Cleveland's bench, as was Franz Wagner.13 mins ago

The league knows the Cavs are soft and can be intimidated Knicks laid out the blueprint last year. This is not regular season hoops

Game 3 is gut check time

 

[RonG]

I'm still pissed, I'm not mad we lost. I'm mad how we lost. How much that this team comes off as a bunch of Betas and not one single alpha. Mitchell ain't him, great player but alpha nah.

And 5 points by Garland???

 

[shoes22]

I'm still pissed, I'm not mad we lost. I'm mad how we lost. How much that this team comes off as a bunch of Betas and not one single alpha. Mitchell ain't him, great player but alpha nah.

And 5 points by Garland???

The only guy who's put together complete good games ithis series is Jarrett Allen. I love JA, but this team is not in good shape if he has to be your best player.