RCF Recap: Cavs got the Magic

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• Well, it was over before it started. In a stretch of games where the Cavs have only trailed for 35 seconds, the Magic didn’t stand a chance.
• Once again, the Cavs came out hot and put their opponent trying to play catchup. A quick 7-0 leaded morphed into a double-digit lead which then morphed into a 38-point first quarter.
• Nothing but good things happen when you can convert kick-outs. First it was Strus, then it was Okoro and then it was Wade. Each scored on a kick-out three-pointer in the game’s opening minutes and speaks to how the Cavs are playing and finding success.
• Their defense was working early, forcing six Magic turnovers within the first seven minutes. They were forcing turnovers like Sam Merrill puts up three-point shots.
• The Jarrett “Dikembe” Allen was in full effect after two early, emphatic rejections at the rim. After that, the Magic were watching for Allen patrolling the paint and being easily deterred from trying anything in the paint. When Allen is active and engaged around that rim, this is a completely different team.
• Speaking of which: Allen extended his double-double streak (21pts & 11reb) to 12 games which is now the longest in franchise history. This game pushed him over the top of the previous record holder, Andre Drummond.
• If Sam’s last name was Curry, where would he rank amongst the Curry family as shooters?
• Once again Sam I Am was on the scene. Within 4 seconds (!) of entering the game he had made a three-point shot. This was enroute to a career high 8 3PM and a game high 26 points. This is now the second time on the year he’s led the team in scoring. The other was also a win, and also when he had 8 3PM.
• It’s clear at this point JB Bickerstaff trusts Sam Merrill off the bench, and he has elevated himself over CRAIG! Porter Jr in the backcourt logjam. It’s also clear when everyone gets healthy Merrill needs some minutes. How that happens, I’m not sure, but his skillset is too valuable not to see some spot minutes, at least.
• The Sam Merrill-Max Strus-Georges Niang trio once again shared the floor together and while they were only a +3 in 6:47, they did go 4-6 from 3. This group likes to shoot and is fun to play with the spacing while they’re all on the court.
• I’m not so sure Bickerstaff is comfortable with CRAIG! Porter Jr as the sole playmaker on the court when it matters. Following along his substitution adjustment last night, Bickerstaff started CPJ with Mitchell to start the second quarter. The pairing was a +6 in 4 short minutes together. It seems like Bickerstaff prefers at least one other playmaker out there with CRAIG! whether it would be Caris LeVert, Strus or Allen.
• Just 1:30 into the second quarter, the Cavs were already up 20 points. On the Orlando Magic. In an away game.
• And just four minutes into the second quarter, the Cavs already had put up 50 points.
• One wrinkle the Cavs like to run a lot is a shooter screen for Mitchell (either Strus or Merrill) followed by Mitchell having a big man pick (Allen) set for him at the 3-point line to get downhill. This really creates a lot of stress on the defense trying to guard Mitchell, catch the shooter on the flare out and keeping track of Allen.
• Credit to the Cavs: Earlier in the year their leads would be quite delicate but they have not allowed teams to make up much ground for them when they’ve gotten the lead. The Magic got hot, quick from deep with three 3’s in the span of 90 seconds. It looked like the Magic might cut in the lead but the Cavs matched that effort and ending up pushing their lead right back to 25.
• The Cavs really protected the paint well all night. They only allowed 12 first half points in the paint. The defense was on point, and Allen was acting as a deterrent for anything that got past defenders.
• The Magic made a small push to start the second half to get the lead within 19 points but once again the Cavs punched back with a quick 9-1 run. At that point, they never looked back for the rest of the night and pushed the lead past 30 by quarter’s end.
• After a rough shooting stretch of late, Strus looks kind of back? He was 4-7 on the night (2-4 from 3), and his jumper looked a lot better than it has in recent games. This is the first time he’s hit 2+ 3P within his last 5 games. If he can start getting out on top of everyone else that already is… sheesh.
• Mitchell was playing the facilitator role tonight, and playing it well. He tied his season high 13 assist mark, and already had 9 at half time. Mitchell was instrumental in creating opportunities for kick outs all night, and tonight guys were converting. Mitchell created 35 points off assists tonight – the next highest was CRAIG! with 12 points created off assists.
• The Magic’s paint defense was just not there all night. Whether it was Mitchell drives, Allen dunks (he had a few) or drives off closeouts, the Cavs were able to get anywhere they wanted any time.
• Dean Wade has now hit 3+ 3P’s in 3 out of his last 4 games. He had 3 3+ 3P games on the season prior to this stretch. Two-way Dean is difference making Dean.
• Every Cavalier that played tonight, scored.
• The Cavs shot 50%+ from the field (56.3%!) and from deep (52.6%). Who needs 40/50/90 when you can shoot 50-50 all night.
• 60 bench points ties the 4th spot for most in a game this year. 6 of the 7 highest scoring bench games have come in January.
• Add four straight games holding opponents under 100 points to the tracker.
• Up next: Cavs travel to Milwaukee for a two-game away stand starting Friday at 8:00PM (ET).

BOX SCORE
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