cleveland – Throughout the regular season, the Orlando Magic were virtually unbeatable if they held their opponents to 100 points or less.
During the 2023-24 season, the Magic held their opponents below that mark, going an impressive 21-2.
In the opening game of the first round of the series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando's defensive superiority was on full display. However, his offensive power was not even close and they lost 97-83.
As the Magic prepare for Game 2 against the Cavaliers on Monday at 7 p.m. ET, another defensive effort like that could put the offense in position to catch up and make another comeback. I'm optimistic. Orlando clinched a playoff victory.
“We're very confident,” Magic forward Jonathan Isaac said. “Our offense will catch up. We'll be able to hit the ball better in Game 2.”
The Magic spent part of their practice time Sunday at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse focused on cleaning up their offensive execution and preparing shots to get back into their shooting rhythm. Orlando shot just 32.6 percent from the floor, 21.6 percent from 3-point range and 63.3 percent from the charity stripe. Those numbers are well below the season averages for a Magic team that shot 47.6 percent from the floor, 35.2 percent from deep and 75.9 percent from the free-throw line during the NBA calendar year.
“We did everything right except make the shot. That's part of the game of basketball. Look at some of the best teams in other games in the playoffs,” Jalen Suggs told All About the League talked about the opening game of the playoffs, which the home team won. “Great teams don't always knock down shots. Some of those great players have nights where it's tough to watch them get to the basket. I feel like that was us (Saturday). I did.”
Game 1 was the first taste of playoff action for many players on Orlando's roster. Even though I didn't get the results I wanted, I didn't get upset, overwhelmed by the moment, or upset by the commotion. And they are confident they will be even more comfortable in that environment for the second leg.
“For some of our players, this was their first playoff game and they were feeling it,” Magic head coach Jamal Mosley said. “I'm glad they were able to get through that. That's part of the experience they have to feel. But in Game 2, those fears went away. Now, when a snitch happens, You can go in there knowing exactly what's going to happen.”
Note citation: “We made 32 (percent) from the field, 21 from three, 60 from the line, but it wasn't over until the last two minutes. So I think we defended very well. But offensively We didn't play well on the field. We just have to strengthen our defense and offense and we'll be fine.” – Magic forward Paolo Banchero.
Key statistics: Throughout the Magic's season, Banchero put up a ton of surprising numbers, putting him in a rare league of impressive performers. That trend continued Saturday as Orlando's All-Star forward got his first taste of the postseason. Banchero's 24-point performance against the Cavs tied Shaquille O'Neal (April 28, 1994) for the most points scored by a Magic player in his playoff debut.
But Banchero focused on taking care of the basketball after a contest in which he turned it over nine times.
“I think there were a lot of things we could have done better,” he explained. “I didn't have the ball, but I was very nervous and very excited. I tried some moves and lost it or had a stolen pass. That's something I have to clean up. I made nine of the 12 turnovers. I'm never going to do that again.”
Inside and outside: Orlando will continue to stay healthy heading into the second game.
Cleveland is without Ty Jerome (right ankle, surgery), Craig Porter Jr. (left ankle, sprain) and Dean Wade (right knee, sprain).
