(4) Cavs vs. (5) Magic First Round Playoff Series Thread

[Street Hunger]

(4) Cleveland vs. (5) Orlando

• Game 1: Cavaliers 97, Magic 83
• Game 2: Cavaliers 96, Magic 86
• Game 3: Magic 121, Cavaliers 83
• Game 4: Magic 112, Cavaliers 89
• Game 5: Cavaliers 104, Magic 103
• Game 6: Magic 103, Cavaliers 96
• Game 7: Cavaliers 106, Magic 94

Cleveland wins series 4-3

[Jasper]

Cav's w/Mitchell

6

[fsvr54]

Magic win this

[HylianNightmare]

Magic in7

[Im Still Ballin]

ISB's expert pick: 4-2 CLE.

Orlando's offense is prone to turnovers and Cleveland has exploited that in the regular season matchups. The Cavaliers were also able to win the tempo battle and generate more fastbreak points. However, Orlando had a +14 differential in points in the paint.

I expect a hard-fought, physical series. Looking forward to how Garland and Mitchell handle Orlando's superb perimeter defense.


Season totals:

Points off turnovers: 96-61 CLE (3-1 W/L CLE)
Points in the paint: 204-190 ORL (2-2 W/L)
Fastbreak points: 47-33 CLE (3-1 W/L CLE)

Combined season total:

333-298 CLE (8-4 W/L CLE)

[Proctor]

Cavs in 6

Looking forward to some Ingles/Niang fights

[FultzNationRISE]

Cavaliers in 7

[Nowoco]

Lol first game up. Last one bumped :lol

Magic in 5.

[FultzNationRISE]

I personally think this is gonna be an interesting series. Neither team are contenders but theyre evenly matched and both ostensibly on the come up. It’s a big series for both of them.

[Proctor]

lol the ESPN audio went out and it's more pleasant than the female crew calling the game

[tpols]

This game opened up with no announcers.:roll:

[Nowoco]

lol the ESPN audio went out and it's more pleasant than the female crew calling the game

Exactly what I was thinking. At least we get the worst out the way early today.

[Im Still Ballin]

I like the move to start Jonathan Isaac. They've limited his minutes all year and now is the time to go Full Diddy on them.

[Im Still Ballin]

If Mobley's hitting threes then Orlando is ****ed.

[FultzNationRISE]

If Mobley's hitting threes then Orlando is ****ed.


Especially when Orlando cant hit any.

[Nowoco]

The Cavs will wonder how the Magic are hanging on to them considering how badly they've been shooting.

[FultzNationRISE]

Love MoWag’s energy.

Underrated candidate for 6moy. Not statistically necessarily but he always comes in with an edge.

[Nowoco]

Niang is fatter than Luka.

[FultzNationRISE]

Magic are a brick factory

[Nowoco]

The Magic are taking some terrible shots.

[Street Hunger]

Donovan Mitchell with that cool drive

[Street Hunger]

Questionable ESPN broadcast crew

[Street Hunger]

I think the Cavs are better than their regular season record. I don't think the magic are.

[Street Hunger]

Banchero has 5 turnovers in the first half

[tpols]

Crazy how a team like the Magic are a 5 seed but the Warriors and Kings don't even make the playoffs.

[Street Hunger]

Cavs up 12 at the half. Should have been more?

[Im Still Ballin]

Orlando's lack of a good shot creator is being exposed. If they're to win they'll need to do it by generating scores off turnovers me thinks. Easy baskets. Not going to be easy when teams slow down in the playoffs.

[Street Hunger]

Magic showing life

[FultzNationRISE]

Orlando's lack of a good shot creator is being exposed. If they're to win they'll need to do it by generating scores off turnovers me thinks. Easy baskets. Not going to be easy when teams slow down in the playoffs.

They need a shot creator who can also shoot, cuz their shooting is PUTRID.

Might need to hope Jamal Murray gets sick of being in Joker’s shadow and asks for a trade to Orlando after this season.

Be a great fit.

[Nowoco]

This game is just brick central atm. Horrible.

[Nowoco]

Banchero starting to heat up.

[Street Hunger]

Both teams kinda adjusting to post-season intensity

Not a high-level game

[Street Hunger]

Might be a good series if the magic can hit a couple more shots.

[Nowoco]

Horrible game, horrible shooting, horrible female announcers. Not exactly the explosive start to the playoffs the league would have wanted.

The Magic could hardly have played worse and kept it close for longer than they had any right to. They can steal game 2. I just hope it's more exciting than this trash today.

[Street Hunger]

Magic shot bricks from everywhere, even the FT line.

Cavs win Game 1, 97-83.

[Axe]

That box score is a good nod to the older days.

[BarberSchool]

Horrible game, horrible shooting, horrible female announcers. Not exactly the explosive start to the playoffs the league would have wanted.This.

[ArbitraryWater]

Magic suck. Ive seen this happen at the end of the RS already.

[theman93]

Cavs only outscored Orlando by 2 in the second half. Orlando isn’t a great shooting team but Suggs, Harris, and Anthony won’t shoot a combined 1/16 again. Will be much tighter moving forward.

[theman93]

Horrible game, horrible shooting, horrible female announcers. Not exactly the explosive start to the playoffs the league would have wanted.

The Magic could hardly have played worse and kept it close for longer than they had any right to. They can steal game 2. I just hope it's more exciting than this trash today.

I muted the broadcast 5 minutes in to the game. Horrible play by play and color commentary.

[Manny98]

Magic in 7

[GimmeThat]

the Magic should just get Joe Ingle out of the line up completely, there's some type of myth that he can make up his lack of basketball IQ with his size and playing the 2 or 1 position, only any dribble drive involving a change of direction leaves the coach ready to change his diaper.

offensively, the Magic has been the most efficient with Banchero playing the 2, so at this point, they should treat him getting the ball by the wing position as any type of out of bound plays in order to get the shooters in a rhythm.

however, the Cavs play the passing lane well, and Strus, whose essentially a blend of J.J. Redick and Arron Afflalo allows the Cavs to play the pace they want because they don't give up second chance points easily.

[theman93]

Suggs knee just got destroyed, which means this series is a wrap. Great season overall, now just need to add some shooting this offseason.

[ArbitraryWater]

Magic are ass

[BarberSchool]

Suggs knee just got destroyed, which means this series is a wrap. Great season overall, now just need to add some shooting this offseason.

It was a pretty good diagonal hyper extension with his own weight and Mitchell explosive lateral movement pinning his foot to the wood. Looked like a combination ankle sprain and knee ligament tear.

[Nowoco]

Banchero going for 40.

[fsvr54]

Everyone was talking about Suggs like he was out for the season. I don't get it? He had over 20 points today

[insidehoops]

Fast-paced start to Game 4, on TNT now

[Nowoco]

Strange that this series is getting zero attention. I've seen jokes on social media about it being the forgotten series.

It might be the only series to go to 7 games.

[insidehoops]

Strange that this series is getting zero attention. I've seen jokes on social media about it being the forgotten series.

It might be the only series to go to 7 games.

It deserves to be watched. Been a programming issue

[insidehoops]

Game 4, end of first quarter: Cavs up 23-22.

[Nowoco]

Banchero needs to wake up. Playing like shit. 4 TOs.

[tpols]

Jarret Allen is nice.

[90sgoat]

Wagner is a world champion.

[bison]

Donovan bricktchell.

[bison]

WCJ one of the worst centers in the leagues hit two threes.

God the eastern conference is a joke. My Lakers would RAPE either of these teams in a playoff series.

[bison]

Niang get the f*ck up this ain’t soccer.

[90sgoat]

Where does Orlando go with this team?

Keep Wagner and Banchero both? Trade Suggs? Trade Wagner?

Wagner and Banchero both seem to operate in the same space, but Wagner needs the ball more than Banchero. Someone said a trade for Trae Young? Do you send Wagner to Atlanta? The german to the jungle? Trae and Banchero and Suggs seems like a solid core.

[Nowoco]

The Magic suffocated the Cavs in that quarter and as always in the playoffs, the road team are getting nothing from their role players.

[Mask the Embiid]

Cherry Pick gon’ wrong :oldlol:

[Im Still Ballin]

A win for Orlando is a win for defense. You got to love how the NBA has officiated the game after the disastrous All-Star game.

[FultzNationRISE]

Where does Orlando go with this team?

Keep Wagner and Banchero both? Trade Suggs? Trade Wagner?

Wagner and Banchero both seem to operate in the same space, but Wagner needs the ball more than Banchero. Someone said a trade for Trae Young? Do you send Wagner to Atlanta? The german to the jungle? Trae and Banchero and Suggs seems like a solid core.

I dont think they need to trade anybody for now. Banchero and Wagner are a physically imposing duo and unselfish enough to play with each other. You can stagger their minutes as well. Isaac is showing some floor spacing ability at center, if they can get more shooting at guard I think theyll be in a good spot. I dont think it even has to be a top echelon point guard, just some shooters like Max Strus, Grayson Allen would help.

But that front line with Pao, Franz, JI, with Mo off the bench is big and versatile and promising. I think they got a bright future.

[90sgoat]

Wagner is a super efficient finisher. Contact doesn't bother him.

He has some of that Ginobili in his game, the use of tempo to get open. Mix of Detlef and Ginobili.

[bison]

Max strus awarded a flagrant foul for trying to catch and protect Cole Anthony after an attempted hammer.

:facepalm:

[Nowoco]

Marcus Morris taking the uncontested layup in garbage time to get a score on the statsheet :facepalm

[Akeem34TheDream]

I feel like these two teams are pretty equal. Magic have higher ceiling than Cavs but a lower floor. That's because they are highly dependant on making 3's as a team. I hope Magic make it to next round because they are more fun to watch. I really like Suggs. Also have a soft spot for Fultz(the player not the poster).

[90sgoat]

Cavs have a nice team, but I'm unsure about Donovan Mitchell as their guy to push them into contention.

Also not a big fan of Garland, his offense doesn't make up for his small size on defense. They would be better off with a more traditional point guard to find Mobley and Allen more.

[Manny98]

What did I tell y'all don't be sleeping on the Magic

[ArbitraryWater]

thats not a foul

if refs have balls they reverse it

[fsvr54]

This is not an NBA forum.

No one is commenting on a playoff game

[FultzNationRISE]

Banchero breakout game (for his post season career)

His teammates gotta move around more when he has the ball tho, he keeps his head up and looks for options but they kinda just stand around. Hes had to hit some tough shots and luckily he has.

Edit: I jinxed him :(

[fsvr54]

Paolo knows he has teammates?

[FultzNationRISE]

Game saver by Mobley

[Axe]

Yikes, it's very tight. Too bad that last second three wasn't enough.

[fsvr54]

Refs saved Gayland on the last play. Paolo got fouled on the made 3

[fsvr54]

Magic in 7

[Axe]

Refs saved Gayland on the last play. Paolo got fouled on the made 3
Boiling.

[theman93]

Tough one. Paolo is showing potential to be the guy though. I expect us to force a game 7

[Meticode]

Props to Orlando for playing tough, but on paper this Cavs team has frustrated me this whole season minus their win streak when Garland+Mobley were out. I felt like the Cavs were taking steps to be a Top 3 team when they acquired Mitchell, but I feel like that's not happened and they've been underachieving. Grant it, they still are young, but when you look at that roster on paper I just feel like they should be much better than Orlando.

[ArbitraryWater]

Yeah I thought the Cavs would emerge as 3rd seed during that win streak or at least like clear 3rd best but it never really happened, still in the mix with the other teams around that mark and kind of were on the brink in this series, surprisingly.

[BarberSchool]

No ill will towards Suggs,

But you gotta love to see that HARSH PENALTY
for Suggs kicking his leg out dishonestly
trying to draw a foul.

Wiped away a huge 3pt make.

[L.Kizzle]

Why is a wedgie a jump-ball. Should be ball for other team.

[BarberSchool]

Magic in 7

Certainly would love to see that.

[BarberSchool]

Why is a wedgie a jump-ball. Should be ball for other team.

Imagine it’s just play on .. and bigs both tryna yank that sh!t outta there :lol

[Proctor]

Mitchell is a weird player. Seems like he's in slow motion every game. Preservation/"controlled breathing" technique to reduce the pressure? Or did he suddenly become a turtle? He plays like someone who just woke up from a long nap.

[SATAN]

Banchero needs another decent scorer. Wagner is ok but seems more like a 3rd option.

[L.Kizzle]

Donavan Mitchell has the 3rd most 50 point playoff games in NB history.

[Meticode]

One word describes this Cavs team. Frustrating. Bickerstaff allows Mitchell to completely be all the offense on a hobbled knee and anyone else other than Garland isn't involved. Sure, you can ride that in spurts, but not the whole damn game. Okoro passed up two or three wide open shots, Niang flopping his dad bod around, nothing ran for Mobley. Hell, Mobley touched the ball so little that at the end he had a little gimme layup after a rebound and f*cking shorted it.

The way this team is constructed right now isn't working. Something has to change whether it's Bickerstaff out or players.

I'm so frustrated that I hope they lose Game 7. Why go to the 2nd round and get swept against the Celtics?

[theman93]

Let’s go babyyyy! :rockon:

[Axe]

Yikes, we're getting a game 7.


Let’s go babyyyy! :rockon:
**** you, coach. :mad:

[fsvr54]

Certainly would love to see that.

It's going to happen, my boy

[Nowoco]

Strange that this series is getting zero attention. I've seen jokes on social media about it being the forgotten series.

It might be the only series to go to 7 games.

:pimp:

[Wally450]

So glad this series is going 7.

[Jasper]

alittle surprised cav's having this much trouble

[theman93]

Where does Orlando go with this team?

Keep Wagner and Banchero both? Trade Suggs? Trade Wagner?

Wagner and Banchero both seem to operate in the same space, but Wagner needs the ball more than Banchero. Someone said a trade for Trae Young? Do you send Wagner to Atlanta? The german to the jungle? Trae and Banchero and Suggs seems like a solid core.

Keep them all and ride it out. 47-35 with the 5th seed is way ahead of schedule. Nobody thought we’d be here. We’re in a unique position. I can’t think of another duo with Franz and Banchero’s attributes that have existed in NBA history. Both are ball handlers, can facilitate, can play off ball, create their own shots, defend, and oh btw are 6’10”.

[BarberSchool]

Orlando is a very big, young, high energy squad.
They have a lot of versatility for their size.

I think they could give the Knicks problems, if the Knicks can get past the pacers, which isn’t at all a surety.

[theman93]

Orlando is a very big, young, high energy squad.
They have a lot of versatility for their size.

I think they could give the Knicks problems, if the Knicks can get past the pacers, which isn’t at all a surety.

Does this mean you’re picking us to win game 7 tomorrow and then take out Boston in the ECSF? :pimp:

[BarberSchool]

Does this mean you’re picking us to win game 7 tomorrow and then take out Boston in the ECSF? :pimp:I certainly will be cheering for the Magic…. for the first time since Hedo Turkoglu was running 4th quarter PNR’s, just prior to Rashard Lewis getting suspended for similar BioGenesis PED’s that LeFraud Shames beat the charges for

Without a healthy Porzingis, the Celtics can definitely get got.

[FultzNationRISE]

Id like to see the underdog Magic get the dub, but thats really a bummer that Jarett Allen is out. Hate to see teams missing key guys in the playoffs.

[tpols]

Cavs are totally done-so.

[ShawkFactory]

Franz’s game really translates well to the postseason. His defensive versatility and decision-making are really high-level.

[bluechox2]

donavans last game...soak it in cleavland

[FultzNationRISE]

Franz’s game really translates well to the postseason. His defensive versatility and decision-making are really high-level.

If he can figure out how to shoot the Magic are gonna be a real problem.

[FultzNationRISE]

donavans last game...soak it in cleavland

Where's he headed?

[BarberSchool]

It's going to happen, my boy
Appears that way so far ! :pimp:

[Nowoco]

This Cavs team is horrible. Better for everyone to have the Magic advance.

[Manny98]

Magic in 7
Once again I'm right with my predictions

https://media.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExYmJseHlza2tyb2cwOGc1YzF2cWk3ZHZ objViM3AyY2llMDVqaHFtYSZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfY nlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/l3q2JCu9lep6dAmyY/giphy.gif

[BarberSchool]

For any Leaveland fans…. What offensive skills besides lob threat and catch & finish does Mobley showcase often ? Does he have any go-to post moves ? Midrange ? Short-roll passing ?

His defensive length and hand/eye coordination for strips are really good. Wondering what other promising offensive skills he shows frequently ?

[bison]

Orlando will blow this.

It’s in their franchise DNA.

[FultzNationRISE]

Orlando will blow this.

It’s in their franchise DNA.

You will blow your bf dick while he have a massive heart attack

[theman93]

Gonna need Franz to wake up to close this thing out. Great half by Banchero :bowdown:

[FultzNationRISE]

Mitchell coming alive.

I dont think he can be a contender’s best player, but I grant it’s not his fault that’s what Cleveland is asking of him. You certainly cant fault the effort he’s giving.

[Manny98]

:facepalm

[L.Kizzle]

Well damn ...

[rawimpact]

This is such a garbage ass game 7. Both teams suck… I was rooting for Orlando but god damn they are frustrating to watch. Just cut both teams.

[FultzNationRISE]

Both teams battling hard as hell for the chance to get smoked by Boston.

[rawimpact]

Way too many white players in Orlando. They’ve exceeded the 1 required by the nba and it shows. Mo Wagner is enough… dude has shit the bed.

[Nowoco]

This is a massive choke by Orlando.

[elementally morale]

These teams are fighting. That's the best thing I can say about this game.

[rawimpact]

You know the east is bad when these are your fifth and sixth seeds.

[bison]

Orlando will blow this.

It’s in their franchise DNA.

:dancin

[rawimpact]

:dancin


thsts not exactly a bold statement…

[NBAGOAT]

Mitchell reminding nba fans ants not a lock for best sg

[FultzNationRISE]

You will blow your bf dick while he have a massive heart attack

:dancin

[L.Kizzle]

Mitchell reminding nba fans ants not a lock for best sg

Nah, Ant Is a lock.

[coin24]

Both these teams are dog shit. Magic definitely with that loser DNA:oldlol:

What a choke job

[tpols]

In the 1st half it seemed like Orlando was swishing every 3. How many did they miss in a row to go from blowing them out to getting blown out?

:biggums:

[tpols]

You know the east is bad when these are your fifth and sixth seeds.

4th and 5th. Even worse.

It's a damn shame because squads like the healthy warriors and Kings are way better.

At least with Cleveland they have Mitchell and some defense. How Orlando was a 5 seed is incredible. They look lotto.

[coin24]

In the 1st half it seemed like Orlando was swishing every 3. How many did they miss in a row to go from blowing them out to getting blown out?

:biggums:

At what point do these idiots realise try something different :oldlol:

Jalen succs.. get banchero some help

[FultzNationRISE]

Mitchell reminding nba fans ants not a lock for best sg

“Shooting guard” is kind of a meaningless designation at this point. It’s basically just wings and bigs.

[90sgoat]

Orlando is definitely the team I'm picking over Cleveland for the next 5 years.

Not impressed by Cleveland at all. Garland and Mitchell are undersized. Mobley and Allen limited on offense.

Orlando has Banchero and Wagner who are two of the best young point forwards in the game. They're 22 years old with tons of upside.

Orlando needs some playmaking and veteran players and they could be right back next season.

[tpols]

Orlando is definitely the team I'm picking over Cleveland for the next 5 years.

Not impressed by Cleveland at all. Garland and Mitchell are undersized. Mobley and Allen limited on offense.

Orlando has Banchero and Wagner who are two of the best young point forwards in the game. They're 22 years old with tons of upside.

Orlando needs some playmaking and veteran players and they could be right back next season.

Wagner went 1-15 in this game. He almost single handedly lost them the series.

[rawimpact]

Orlando is definitely the team I'm picking over Cleveland for the next 5 years.

Not impressed by Cleveland at all. Garland and Mitchell are undersized. Mobley and Allen limited on offense.

Orlando has Banchero and Wagner who are two of the best young point forwards in the game. They're 22 years old with tons of upside.

Orlando needs some playmaking and veteran players and they could be right back next season.


Nah Mohammad wagner is a loser. Dude just went 1 for 15 in a game 7. That’s a mental handicap that needs therapy, not time in the gym.

banchero Loke every star that gets their start in Orlando will end up leaving.

[NBAGOAT]

Orlando is definitely the team I'm picking over Cleveland for the next 5 years.

Not impressed by Cleveland at all. Garland and Mitchell are undersized. Mobley and Allen limited on offense.

Orlando has Banchero and Wagner who are two of the best young point forwards in the game. They're 22 years old with tons of upside.

Orlando needs some playmaking and veteran players and they could be right back next season.

Really some complimentary scoring at guard. Paul George isn’t happening but would be ideal. I don’t even hate idea of derozan even though spacing is meh. Also should be a trade destination for simons

[90sgoat]

Wagner went 1-15 in this game. He almost single handedly lost them the series.

Nah, he also won them some games.

He's a world champion at age 22. He'll be great. He just isn't a Luka. He is 22 years old. Even Lebron looked awful at times at age 22.

[90sgoat]

Really some complimentary scoring at guard. Paul George isn’t happening but would be ideal. I don’t even hate idea of derozan even though spacing is meh. Also should be a trade destination for simons

The thing is that both Wagner and Banchero are best with the ball, Wagner as a poor man's Luka and Banchero operating from the high post and in the open floor, but they're also not really meant to play point guard, so they could use a veteran point guard too.

[theman93]

Proud of the boys. Need to add some shooting and we’ll be cooking. I want us to go after Anfernee Simons. He’d fit perfect next to Suggs

[NBAGOAT]

The thing is that both Wagner and Banchero are best with the ball, Wagner as a poor man's Luka and Banchero operating from the high post and in the open floor, but they're also not really meant to play point guard, so they could use a veteran point guard too.

You need spacing most importantly imo. Magic can’t score well and teams send help whenever the two main guys drive. If you need more of a passer brogdon would work but he has injury risk. Portland likely trading all 3 of brogdon, simons, grant

[fsvr54]

Magic choked.

They could've gotten 1 game off the Celtics. Cavs get swept by Boston, what a bore.

[Axe]

Orlando lacks postseason experience so they still have a lot to do. It's not surprising they folded under pressure as shown earlier but I can see they could start toppling the heat in their division these coming years.

Otoh, the disrespect that cleveland gets here is ridiculous. But yes, they should be much better than they are rn. They were at their best 3-4 months ago before sputtering along the way.

Maybe they're kinda slacking until the last games and that just some key players like mitchell are waiting for the off-season already.

[Axe]

It's a damn shame because squads like the healthy warriors and Kings are way better.
Too bad both teams got wiped out in the play-ins aka losers bracket. Also, as if the warriors aren't getting any older. :ohwell:

[FultzNationRISE]

The thing is that both Wagner and Banchero are best with the ball, Wagner as a poor man's Luka and Banchero operating from the high post and in the open floor, but they're also not really meant to play point guard, so they could use a veteran point guard too.

Theyre just 21 and 22 tho, with time they should develop more consistent jumpers and then theyll be more dangerous playing together.

[brownmamba00]

Too bad Orlando played their ass off