Incredible defense as the Cavs held the Magic to 32.6% from the field and 21.6% on 3's. If they can continue that level of defense the Magic have no chance. You can't win in 2024 scoring 83 points. In fact, the Cavs are undefeated this year when they hold the opponent under 100.
The Cavs held the Magic to 36 points in the paint; they average 52. The combination of choking off the paint along with the Magic going 8-for-37 on 3's and missing 11 free throws determined the game.
In a game when points were really hard to come by the difference was Donovan Mitchell. He had 30 of the Cavs' 97 points. Banchero had 24 for the Magic but he also had 9 turnovers and the Magic were -11 when he was on the floor.
The Cavs' starters were all +5 to +13; the Magic starters were all -7 to -13. Their bench outscored ours 18-14 but our bench players were +13, +7, and +4. Niang was +13 in 25 minutes despite going 1-for-7 from the field.
Mobley was awesome defensively with three blocks and multiple altered shots. He also had 16 points and 11 boards.
Allen was the King of the Glass with 18 rebounds and Strus helped out with 9 defensive rebounds. Garland had five turnovers but otherwise was solid with 14 points and 8 assists. He hit a huge 3-pointer to start the 4th quarter and push the lead to 18 points.
Everybody did what they needed to do to get the win. LeVert came off the bench with 4:24 left in the 3rd quarter and the Cavs up by 5. By the end of the quarter they were up 15.
The Cavs can play better. At one point they missed 17 straight 3-point shots. For the game they shot under 27% from deep. Also, they committed 17 turnovers, although most were in the first half. If they shoot 3's a little better and cut down the turnovers they could win the next one by 20, assuming they continue to play defense at this level.
