Second fight and second show of strength by the Cavaliers. Far from showing any weak point, JB Bickerstaff’s boys once again hit the Magic with everything that, like what happened in Game 1, could not compete for the victory. An even series was expected, yes, but the reality is that Cleveland has made it 2-0 in the series with a clear superiority that last night it defined with 96-86.
It is obvious that ten points difference is not too much in today’s basketball, but beyond the final margin, the reality is that Ohio’s team had control of the night from start to finish. After the first quarter they led by 12 points and from that moment on, Jamahl Mosley’s men were unable to scare their rival in the slightest. Now it’s time to go to Florida and this can change, but the balance is currently clearly tilted in favor of the Cavs.
«It is very satisfying. It shows that we have grown not only as a team but also as individuals. We don’t give up under pressure. We have our moments, but overall I feel like we have taken a big step,” says Jarrett Allen, author of a double-double of 16 points and 20 rebounds.
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The truth is that Cleveland is showing itself to be a very tough team. If before starting the series many were talking about Orlando’s great defense, now the Cavaliers are showing that they are also capable of biting; so much so that they have left the Magic at 83 and 86 points in the first two games of the tie.
Allen’s fantastic performance was once again joined by the leadership of Donovan Mitchell who once again did everything to conclude with 23 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block. In addition, Evan Mobley scored 17 points and Darius Garland another 15.
A question of success?
In Orlando they think so. In a new physical battle won by the Cavs, Paolo Banchero’s feeling is that they simply must find that point of success that they are missing. This is how the forward, author of 21 points, expresses it. «We have to make shots, that is the meaning of the game. It’s frustrating for everyone when you keep throwing and it doesn’t go in. Because of the way these two games have developed, I don’t think anyone thinks that this will continue the same when we return home,” he warns.
Although Banchero was not bad with a 9 of 21 shooting from the field, the Magic combined for 36.3%, including a painful 5 of 17 by their other star, German Franz Wagner.
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(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
2024-04-23 07:00:00
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