In the early stages of the playoffs, the Cavaliers have established themselves as formidable contenders.
This season, they’re embracing a more assertive identity.
Donovan Mitchell‘s 23-point performance, coupled with Jarrett Allen’s impressive 20 rebounds, propelled Cleveland to a hard-fought 96-86 victory over the Orlando Magic on Monday night, securing a commanding 2-0 lead in the first-round Eastern Conference series.
For the Cavaliers, it’s a promising start, fueled by a desire to redeem themselves after last year’s disappointing first-round exit at the hands of the New York Knicks, who dispatched them in five games.
Once labeled as lacking in toughness, particularly Allen, who faced criticism for his remarks about the intensity of playoff basketball, the Cavaliers have defied expectations.
Mitchell led the charge as Cleveland maintained control throughout the game, mirroring their performance in Game 1.
Contributions from Evan Mobley with 17 points and Allen with 16 points, including nine offensive rebounds, underscored Cleveland’s dominance on both ends of the court. Allen’s rebounding feat places him in elite company alongside Kevin Love and Brad Daugherty in Cavaliers playoff history.
On the opposing side, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner led the charge for the Magic with 21 and 18 points, respectively. However, Orlando struggled to find their shooting rhythm, shooting a mere 36% from the field and a dismal 9 of 35 from beyond the arc.
With Game 3 slated for Thursday in Orlando, Allen anticipates another physical showdown, emphasizing the importance of defense in the series.
The loss was compounded for the Magic with guard Jalen Suggs suffering a sprained left knee in the first quarter. Despite the setback, Suggs displayed resilience by returning to action after halftime, contributing nine points and igniting a late rally for Orlando.
Although the injury initially cast a shadow over the Magic, Suggs remained optimistic about his availability for Game 3 after receiving treatment.
As the Cavaliers relish their second postseason win, Allen acknowledges the challenges that lie ahead in pursuit of a third victory.
“We know when we go to their place, they’re going to be a completely different team,” he said. “They’re going to have their home crowd behind them. They don’t want it to get to 3-0. They’re just going to try to come at us like we’ve been doing to them.”
