2024 NBA Playoffs Round 1 Game 5: (5) Orlando Magic at (4) Cleveland Cavaliers - Series Tied 2-2

[Skybox]

Is it fair to say that losing a close one on the road makes ORL likely to be favored Friday?

[IllMagic04]

I'm a little concerned with how we get off the mat for game 6. That was a crushing loss.

[tiderulz]

because if you have an opportunity to end the game when playing on the road in the playoffs instead of going for OT you typically take it

yeah its open in theory, but Mobley isnt any defender, as we saw on the play even though Franz been killin him this series

yeah, but Paolo's last 3 shots were very bad

Most of them are bad...but they go in - that's a star. DeRozan and CP3 are Hall of Famers who made their careers on "bad" midrange shots. KD, to an extent, too. Paolo's turnaround, leaning away, long jumpers are awful shots-but he's almost automatic.

I agree with you though...there were two straight possessions he'd love to get back...That pull-up 25 foot dagger airball was brutal, but would have been beyond epic if it went and he WAS feeling it. I think that shook him, because the next possession was also bad. Franz had an ugly one too...although he had a great drive that would have tied it with 5 secs but (credit to Mobley) for an amazing highlight block on one of the most unblockable guys - Franz always uses his length really well around the rim...but Mobley got him with a fantastic defensive effort.

Franz needed to dunk that and not lay it up.

[Fortune Teller]

All 4 guards were bad again. I truly hope Welt realizes this is the reality, and doesn’t get fooled into thinking the backcourt doesn’t need a massive overhaul just because Suggs plays well on the home court to keep the series competitive.

Suggs, Harris, Anthony & Fultz combined:

22 points, 4 assists in 85 minutes, 0-8 from three. Yuck.

[eyriq]

All 4 guards were bad again. I truly hope Welt realizes this is the reality, and doesn’t get fooled into thinking the backcourt doesn’t need a massive overhaul just because Suggs plays well on the home court to keep the series competitive.

Suggs, Harris, Anthony & Fultz combined:

22 points, 4 assists in 85 minutes, 0-8 from three. Yuck.

The fact that we have the same guard rotation as last season is disappointing.

[zaymon]

Hard to be mad when you lose becouse your two young stars are overaggressive. I would be more worried if we lost becouse nobody wanted to make a play. For development there is not much more you can ask for. Franz needs midrange game to dominate in games like this one. I think he sees it and will work on it this offseason. Last game he was unstoppable when his midrange was going in.
Paolo showed more killer instinct than i anticipated. His tough shot making shows enough flashes that i am hesitant on considering someone like Booker over elite defender like Suggs (team concept wise).
Our weaknesses are obvious. We have a lot og promising SG/wings but no real point guard who can run ball screens. Suggs and Gary work becouse they can defend, shoot and move the ball but to be better than bottom third offense we need some skilled p&r operator.
I am very pleased whatever happens this series. Paolo exceeded my expectations. Biggest mistake was extending Cole but i guess he is kind of important to our overall chemistry as very vocal guy.

[Optimus_Steel]

I'm almost as excited about the off-season as I am about the playoffs. Is there something wrong with me?

No. We are in a good place.

[Optimus_Steel]

All 4 guards were bad again. I truly hope Welt realizes this is the reality, and doesn’t get fooled into thinking the backcourt doesn’t need a massive overhaul just because Suggs plays well on the home court to keep the series competitive.

Suggs, Harris, Anthony & Fultz combined:

22 points, 4 assists in 85 minutes, 0-8 from three. Yuck.

Based on his recent comments, they are aware this is a weakness that needs to be addressed. The team has moved up the timetable they initially laid out.

[pepe1991]

Starting guards 0 assists combined.

[basketballRob]

Cole 23/10/86 for the series with bad defense. I remember him taking an open 3 last night, and he didn't even hit the rim.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM Forums mobile app

[eyriq]

Cole 23/10/86 for the series with bad defense.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM Forums mobile app

"Why did Cole get traded?"

[basketballRob]

Cole 23/10/86 for the series with bad defense.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM Forums mobile app

"Why did Cole get traded?"

I think you would have to add draft compensation to a rebuilding team to be able to trade him.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM Forums mobile app

[Bergmaniac]

I was most annoyed that for 4 straight crucial possessions down the stretch our star forwards ended up having to beat Mobley one on one every time instead of getting them an easier matchup somehow.

Also, for the love of God, stop playing Cole, he's given us nothing the whole series. I don't care how cold Black is now, he can't be any worse. Especially if he's asked to play with the starters and barely touches the ball on offense anyway.

[JoshuaPotter]

All 4 guards were bad again. I truly hope Welt realizes this is the reality, and doesn’t get fooled into thinking the backcourt doesn’t need a massive overhaul just because Suggs plays well on the home court to keep the series competitive.

Suggs, Harris, Anthony & Fultz combined:

22 points, 4 assists in 85 minutes, 0-8 from three. Yuck.

The fact that we have the same guard rotation as last season is disappointing.

Like did we even draft 2 guards?

[eyriq]

All 4 guards were bad again. I truly hope Welt realizes this is the reality, and doesn’t get fooled into thinking the backcourt doesn’t need a massive overhaul just because Suggs plays well on the home court to keep the series competitive.

Suggs, Harris, Anthony & Fultz combined:

22 points, 4 assists in 85 minutes, 0-8 from three. Yuck.

The fact that we have the same guard rotation as last season is disappointing.

Like did we even draft 2 guards?

It blows my mind. The only problem I have with Mosley. There is some sort of cohort effect that drives Mosley's decision making. Oh well, I trust Mosley.

[three3d]

I haven’t taken the time to read through the entire post, but will later on today. My takeaway from last nights game is this. My god when Paolo finally puts it all together he’s going to be freaking unstoppable! He’s to gifted to be taking AND making as many tough shots as he’s taking. Efficiency is his summer #1 option and cutting down in those turnovers. That 3 pointer with 1:30 left in the game was a back breaker. I truly believe this kid can get to the hole whenever he wants to, but finishing around the basket seems to be an issue. The hard shots he’s taking no one in their second season should be hitting like he is.

[eyriq]

I haven’t taken the time to read through the entire post, but will later on today. My takeaway from last nights game is this. My god when Paolo finally puts it all together he’s going to be freaking unstoppable! He’s to gifted to be taking AND making as many tough shots as he’s taking. Efficiency is his summer #1 option and cutting down in those turnovers. That 3 pointer with 1:30 left in the game was a back breaker. I truly believe this kid can get to the hole whenever he wants to, but finishing around the basket seems to be an issue. The hard shots he’s taking no one in their second season should be hitting like he is.

I think the #1 priority for Franz, Paolo, and Suggs should be ball control. We are 25th in TOV%.

[Bergmaniac]

Fultz was surprisingly good on offense, but defensively he had a nightmare game, he died on every screen and Garland was blowing past him like he wasn't there. I really don't want him or Cole starting if Harris is out for the next game. We need someone who won't be destroyed by Mitchell or Garland and Black seems like the logical choice. Or just go big from the start.

[three3d]

When Paolo Banchero is on like he was last night I call him PB & J, he’s just to good. IMO it’s baffling to me cause he’s putting his game together backwards, learning to hit those shots come later in his career. A young kid like that should be relying on his youth and athleticism for buckets NOT pulling off seasoned veterans shimmy and shake moves pairing them with step backs, fadeaway’s, and pull up’s.

[three3d]

If you could ideally pair Paolo with one guy this summer to work on his game with and learn from who would it be? And doesn’t Paolo and Tatum have a pretty good relationship with each other?