CLEVELAND — The two greatest words in all of sports are Game 7.
That's the stance Cavaliers All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell took immediately after scoring 50 points in Game 6, a 103-96 loss to the Orlando Magic at Kia Center. Anyone who knows anything about the NBA knows whether Mitchell will like Game 7 that much after the Cavs host the Magic in a do-or-die scenario Sunday afternoon at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. I'm waiting to know.
The winner of the best-of-seven first round will face the top-seeded Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals. So far, the home team has won every match. If the Cavs advance to the second round, it would be a significant step for the franchise after a 4-1 debacle in last year's season opener against the New York Knicks. If the Cavs fail to get past the Magic, there will likely be significant organizational changes in Cleveland, with JB Bickerstaff's future as head coach and Mitchell's unresolved contract situation under the proverbial microscope. do.
Tipoff for the decisive Game 7 is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. Check here for updates on the entire game.
The Magic led the Cavaliers 24-18 at the end of the first quarter.Donovan Mitchell makes a layup over Jonathan Isaac
You don't see many poster layups, but Donovan Mitchell did just that.
After Tristan Thompson grabbed an offensive rebound, Mitchell drove the baseline and dunked over Jonathan Isaac. The two made contact in the air, and Mitchell was unable to complete the dunk, but was able to make a layup for the fall. The two fell to the floor and had to disentangle each other, but no foul was called.
The Magic entered the second quarter with a 24-18 lead. The Cavs are still 0-for-6 from 3-point range.
Magic, Cavaliers score: Orlando leads 20-10 at Cleveland
The Cavaliers will have to find a counterpunch in this Game 7.
The hangover from the Cavaliers' offensive struggles seemed to carry over into Sunday afternoon, as the Magic opened up a 20-10 lead late in the first quarter.
The Cavs are shooting just 21 percent from the floor and have missed all four 3-pointers thus far.
Tristan Thompson was checking out the game during pregame introductions, hitting free throws despite fire coming from the basket.
Magic surges to 16-10 lead over Cavs in Game 7
The atmosphere in Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is decidedly more electric than those earlier in the series.
Donovan Mitchell scored six points early on and received loud chants of “MVP, MVP, MVP” while standing at the free throw line.
But Paolo Banchero put the Magic ahead early, 16-10, with 6:17 left in the first quarter. He already has 8 points and 2 assists today. It was in this building that Banchero won Game 5 with 39 points.
The Magic made four of their first seven 3-pointers, which has been the difference so far.
Below is the pre-match information.
Will Jarrett Allen play today? Cavaliers center missed Game 7. What's the injury report for Cavaliers vs. Magic?
On Saturday, the Cavs named him their starting center. Jarrett Allen (rib contusion) is questionable for Game 7. Then, about 30 minutes before tipoff Sunday, the Cavs officially ruled Allen out.
Allen will miss his third straight game due to injury. Bickerstaff said Allen elbowed him in the ribs in Game 4.
When asked late Sunday morning during pregame media availability if Allen would be available for Game 7, Bickerstaff replied, “We'll see.”
The Magic listed starting guard Gary Harris (hamstring injury) as questionable for Game 7, but he did not play in Game 6.
Magic coach Jamal Mosley said late Sunday morning that Harris would be available for Game 7.
The Cavs continue to be without backup forward Dean Wade (knee sprain) and reserve point guards Craig Porter Jr. (ankle) and Ty Jerome (ankle).
There are other injuries that neither the Cavs nor Magic have listed on their official injury reports.
Mitchell, for example, is playing with a bruised left knee, and Cavs forward Evan Mobley survived an ankle injury in Game 6 after suffering an ankle injury in the first half.
Mitchell was clearly bothered by a knee injury in Game 6, and he gave up a goal after that as well. He still had the second-highest single-game playoff point total in Cavs history. LeBron James still holds that record, scoring 51 points on May 31, 2018, the last year the Cavs won a postseason series. Mitchell also scored all 18 of Cleveland's fourth quarter points in Game 6.
Cavs Game 7 Starting Lineup vs. Magic
The following players will start for the Cavs in Game 7 against the Magic.
- point guard darius garland
- shooting guard donovan mitchell
- Small forward Max Strus
- Isaac Okoro
- Center Evan Mobley
Magic Game 7 Starting Lineup vs. Cavs
Here are the players who will start for the Magic in Game 7 against the Cavs.
- point guard Jalen Suggs
- shooting guard gary harris
- Small forward Franz Wagner
- Power forward Paolo Banchero
- Center Wendell Carter Jr.
How can I watch, stream, or listen to Game 7 Cleveland Cavs vs. Orlando Magic?
The game will be nationally televised by ABC. The show is broadcast locally on radio via WTAM (11:00-AM), WMMS (100.7-FM), and WNZN (89.1-FM).
Will Cavs big man succeed?:Before the first round began, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley received a challenge from Cleveland Cavaliers coach JB Bickerstaff.
Predictions for Cavs vs. Magic Game 7
Who will win today? The home team is 6-0 in this series. Cavs writers Ryan Lewis and Nate Ulrich think that trend will continue. Read our Game 7 predictions here.
When will the winner of Cavs vs. Magic Game 7 face the Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals?
The winner of Game 7 between the fourth-seeded Cavs and fifth-seeded Magic will advance to face the Eastern Conference's top-seeded Celtics. The Celtics defeated the 8th place Miami Heat 4-1 in the opening game. Here is the schedule for the Eastern Conference semifinals, best-of-7 between the Cavs or Magic and Celtics:
- Game 1: Cavs or Magic vs. Celtics — Tuesday, May 7 at 7 p.m. in Boston on TNT
- Game 2: Cavs or Magic vs. Celtics — Thursday, May 9, 7 p.m., Boston, ESPN
- Game 3: Celtics vs. Cavs or Magic — Saturday, May 11, 8:30 p.m., Cleveland or Orlando, ABC
- Game 4: Celtics vs. Cavs or Magic — Time TBA Monday, May 13th, Cleveland or Orlando (TNT)
- Game 5: Cavs or Magic at Celtics — time TBA, Wednesday, May 15th, Boston on TNT (if required)
- Game 6: Celtics vs. Cavs or Magic — Time TBA Friday, May 17th, Cleveland or Orlando, ESPN (as appropriate)
- Game 7: Cavs or Magic at Celtics — Time TBA Sunday, May 19, Boston, TV TBD (if required)
When was the last time the Cavaliers won an NBA playoff series without LeBron James?
The Cavs haven't won a series without James on the roster since 1993. It was Lenny Wilkens' final season as Cleveland's head coach. Led by Brad Daugherty, Larry Nance Sr., and Mark Price, the Cavs won a five-game first-round series with a 3-2 win over the Nets and were swept in the East by Michael Jordan and the Bulls in four games. Ta. Conference semifinals.
Cavaliers want offensive Darius Garland:Donovan Mitchell's message to his fellow Cleveland Cavaliers guards is simple.
What is the Cavs' all-time record in winning first-round NBA playoff series?
This will be the 24th time in franchise history that the Cavaliers have advanced to the NBA Playoffs. Twelve of the past 23 have been won in the first round. With James on the team, the Cavs won the first round of the series 9-0. Without James, they have a total of 3 wins and 11 losses. The only first-round wins other than James were in 1993, 1992, and 1976.
Remember when the Cleveland Cavs defeated the Orlando Magic 97-83 in Game 1 in Cleveland?
Here is the article for Game 1:
How the Cavs defeated the Magic 96-86 in Game 2 in Cleveland
Game 2 coverage is below.
A look back at the Cavaliers' 104-103 victory over the Orlando Magic in Game 5 in Cleveland.
Here's the article for Game 5:
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @NateUlrich. Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis1@gannett.com. Follow him on the thread @ByRyanLewis.
