Orlando Magic wins over Cleveland Cavaliers takes 2-1 lead in playoff series

Orlando Magic defeated Cleveland Cavaliers 121-83 on Thursday night to trim the Cavaliers lead in their Eastern Conference first-round series to 2-1. Paolo Banchero scored 31 points and pulled down 14 rebounds, Jalen Suggs contributed 24 points, and Cleveland suffered its worst-ever playoff loss.

Orlando Magic led by 43 points in the fourth quarter and went on to win by the third-largest margin of victory in a postseason game. Franz Wagner ended with 16 points and eight assists for the Magic. They became victorious in the playoffs for the first time since 2019 and on their home court since April 26, 2011.

With 15 points and 8 rebounds, Jarrett Allen led Cleveland Cavaliers, who made 39% of their field goals and 23.5% of their 3-pointers. Donovan Mitchell finished with 13 points and seven assists, while Caris LeVert contributed 15 points. Cleveland Cavaliers' worst loss to date came on April 24, 2008, when they were defeated by Washington by 36 points. 

Orlando Magic took earlier lead in the game 

Orlando Magic wins over Cleveland Cavaliers takes 2-1 lead in playoff seriesblasted this one open in the third quarter despite never holding a lead in the previous two games in Cleveland. With 3:16 remaining in the quarter and the Cavaliers behind 92-58, Mitchell, Allen, and Cleveland starters Evan Mobley and Max Strus were substituted out. 

The Magic trailed seven goals after missing seven of their first eleven field goals but then rallied to make 34 of their next 52 tries, finishing with a 51.1% field goal percentage (47 for 92). 

With 5:27 remaining in the first quarter, Banchero made a 3-pointer to give them their first lead of the series. They went on a 13-0 run to end the quarter. It was 31-21 when Cole Anthony hit his first basket of the series, a 3-pointer, at the first-quarter buzzer.  Orlando led 55-34 at the end of the first half after Jalen Suggs and Jonathan Isaac made three 3-pointers and Banchero scored twice.