Orlando – The Orlando Magic (16-7) secured a 104-94 victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers (13-10) on Monday night, playing in front of a sellout crowd at the Amway Center. The win marked the Magic’s 9th consecutive home victory, contributing to their impressive 11-1 record in their last 12 games.
Paolo Banchero showcased an outstanding performance for the Magic, tallying 20 points and 10 rebounds despite rolling his ankle in an encounter with another player. More details on that incident will follow.
Franz Wagner contributed 19 points and 8 assists. Wagner, who had faced challenges against the Cavs in previous games, exhibited an extra surge in his performance this time, displaying resilience in battling for shots and rebounds, and relentlessly driving towards the basket to score.
Darius Garland scored 36 points, and Donovan Mitchell added 22 for the Cavaliers, but their offense struggled to make a significant impact.
Orlando approached the game with heightened intensity, seeking redemption after suffering a 121-111 defeat in their previous meeting with the Cavaliers in Ohio on December 6th. Their determination paid off with this win.
Cleveland initiated the game with sharp shooting and solid defensive plays. Orlando struggled from beyond the arc, shooting only 20%, while the Cavaliers maintained a shooting percentage around 40%. The first quarter concluded with Cleveland leading 29-22.
The turning point occurred in the third quarter when Orlando scored 30 points and limited Cleveland to just 15.
Magic Head Coach Jamahl Mosley expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, stating, ‘Holding them to 94 points, forcing 13 turnovers that led to 26 points was significant. Our players maintained composure throughout the game, staying focused on our strategy.’
Both Joe Ingles and Paolo Banchero suffered ankle injuries, but the team’s ‘next man up’ mentality kicked in.
The return of Jonathan Isaac and Jalen Suggs injected fresh energy into the team, elevating their gameplay and propelling them past the Cavaliers.
Ingles and Banchero’s return to the court heightened the energy among the spectators.
Orlando excelled in their usual strong areas, dominating in points in the paint (26-36), bench production (38-16), and feeding off the enthusiastic crowd support. They held a lead of as much as 16 points during the game.
Banchero commented, ‘Ultimately, it came down to trust and focus. Our defensive resilience won us the game.’
Orlando, now at a 16-7 record, secures the second spot in the NBA Eastern Conference and leads the NBA Southeast division.
Next, Orlando travels to Boston for a series of games on Friday, December 15th, and Sunday, December 17th. They will return to the Amway Center on Wednesday, December 20th, to face the Miami Heat.”
