The Eastern Conference playoffs kick off on Saturday with the No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers hosting the No. 5 seed Orlando Magic in Game 1 of their opening-round series.
For Orlando, Saturday marks their first playoff appearance since exiting in the first round of the 2020 playoffs. Despite a slump in recent years, this season’s 47-35 record marks a resurgence for the Magic after four consecutive losing seasons.
Orlando ended their regular season with a dominant 113-88 victory over Milwaukee, capping off their best campaign since 2010-11. However, their playoff journey hasn’t extended beyond the first round since 2009-10.
The Magic’s success this season is attributed to their strong defensive performance, ranking among the best in points allowed, field goals conceded, and rebounds surrendered.
Both teams share a similar playing style, a reflection of the coaching philosophies of Jamahl Mosley and J.B. Bickerstaff.
If the playoffs mirror the regular season matchups, fans can expect a closely contested series. The Cavaliers and Magic split their four head-to-head games.
Paolo Banchero, the Magic’s top scorer, had varying performances against the Cavaliers, showcasing the unpredictability of playoff matchups.
Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell have been key players for the Cavaliers, contributing significantly in their matchups against the Magic.
Despite injuries throughout the season, both Mitchell and Garland are set to make an impact in the playoffs, alongside defensive stalwart Evan Mobley.
