2024 NBA Playoffs - East 1st Round: #4 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. #5 Orlando Magic (CLE WINS 4-3)

[G R E Y]

Jolting Joe Ingles.

I like the Cavs giving Mobley more touches. This kid has so much talent.

Happy for Jingles after he got unceremoniously cut from Jazz. I get it's a business but that was rough. Glad he found a good home and is in the POs.

[zeebneeb]

Magic need to be more aggressive going at Allen and Mobley. Shying away from contact is not going to get it done.

[jbk1234]

Do they test for PEDs in the playoffs?

Cuz Wade might have to take one for the team and get back on the court. Our core 4 has got this, but our bench and Strus have been terrifying on the road.

[Dirk]

Niang is just killing us. He can't get his shot off against Issac.

Nor can he guard him, gotta get him off the court.

I tune in to see Sam Merrill and he never plays.

[G R E Y]

Banchero has to be more vertical especially vs. a smaller player. Horizontal action allowed Mitchell to set up and have space to sneak in that poke from behind. Good steal and transition basket by Cavs.

[JujitsuFlip]

Niang is just killing us. He can't get his shot off against Issac.

Nor can he guard him, gotta get him off the court.

I tune in to see Sam Merrill and he never plays.

Yeahhhhh he's not in jb's top 8 and I'm not talking about MySpace.

Okay bad joke lol but seriously he's not in the playoff rotation and even if he was, this series isn't his just due to all the length the Magic have.

[durden_tyler]

This Magic team can’t match the Cavs’ more potent offense. i don’t see them winning this game if they can’t drag it down to a low-scoring defensive battle.

[zeebneeb]

Magic big guys are playing extremely soft. Banchero/Franz, get your ass in the lane. Only one going in there it seems is Suggs.

Weak sauce. ATTACK.

[jbk1234]

Allen actually hitting his free throws has been big.

[djsunyc]

This Magic team can’t match the Cavs’ more potent offense. i don’t see them winning this game if they can’t drag it down to a low-scoring defensive battle.

magic took 37 3's last game and hit 13.

they've only taken 9 so far. cavs know that if they run them off the 3 point line, they can live with whatever the magic do from 2 point range.

[Demagoog]

I haven't been paying full attention and it might just be a coincidence I happen to catch it at the correct moment, but every time Banchero touches the ball and sees Mobley he shies away from the possession.

[JujitsuFlip]

Only a 9 point lead and Magic in game 1 and 2 had huge 2nd half runs. I woulda felt a lot better if it was a 19 point lead at half.

[durden_tyler]

This Magic team can’t match the Cavs’ more potent offense. i don’t see them winning this game if they can’t drag it down to a low-scoring defensive battle.

magic took 37 3's last game and hit 13.

they've only taken 9 so far. cavs know that if they run them off the 3 point line, they can live with whatever the magic do from 2 point range.

Yes that was another flukey offensive output from the Magic, of course they can have those kind of nights. But this game (much like 1 and 2) they need to slow down the Cavs first and more emphasis on defense because they allowed practically everyone from the Cavs to have a great rhythm.

[UcanUwill]

Cavs should have a 10 point lead but i understand its on TNT and competing with day 3 of the NFL draft, so the refs are gonna keep the Magic in it with some god awful officiating.

How many days does that league need to draft their players?

[JonFromVA]

Keep an eye on Paolo's fouls ... he was playing passive after picking up 2 early. I'm not expecting defensive miracles from him, but a team D is only as strong as it's weakest point.

[Iwasawitness]

I haven't been paying full attention and it might just be a coincidence I happen to catch it at the correct moment, but every time Banchero touches the ball and sees Mobley he shies away from the possession.

Mobley has been dominant defensively in this series and he’s not getting the credit he deserves for it.

[jbk1234]

Niang is just killing us. He can't get his shot off against Issac.

Nor can he guard him, gotta get him off the court.

I tune in to see Sam Merrill and he never plays.

He played in Game 3. The Cavs are just unable to hide him defensively in a bench unit because both Garland and Mitchell are already undersized, we don't have a backup PG with size, and pushing Okoro out to forward negates a lot of his defensive efficacy, especially against Frantz or Banchero. Add in the fact that Wade is out and that's one too many defensive liabilities on the floor in that second unit.

[djsunyc]

glad to hear gus johnson again.

[JonFromVA]

Something tells me the refs will set the tone for this game. Orlando is going to try to push the Cavs around again, and that could mean 3 quick fouls for someone ... or the Cavs crawling back in their hole.

Cavs need a double digit lead at half if they have a shot at winning their first road postseason game with this core.

The Cavs like playing with a lead, but they must learn how to close strong ... and may be no choice in this one as their lead is quickly evaporating.

[G R E Y]

Man Mobley gives off wet rag vibes on O. Come on man show some focus and intensity.