(Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
The Cleveland Cavaliers wanted to see the Orlando Magic in the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs after tanking the final game of the 2023-24 NBA season.
However, it looks like they might come to regret that decision after they got blown out in Game 4, 112-89.
Both teams are young, big, and athletic, but it’s the Magic that have been playing better overall basketball throughout the series.
The common denominator in the Cavaliers’ Game 3 and 4 losses is their dismal second-half performances, as they’ve largely struggled to score.
Orlando’s defense was one of the best in the regular season and they’ve found ways to suffocate Cleveland in half-court situations.
In fact, the disparity between their first and second-half showings is quite large, via Hayden Grove of Cleveland.com.
“Combined in the second half, the Cavaliers were outscored by the Magic in Game 3 and Game 4, 121-67. 121-67. Game 3: 60-38, Game 4: 61-29,” Grove tweeted.
Combined in the second half, the Cavaliers were outscored by the Magic in Game 3 and Game 4, 121-67.
121-67
Game 3: 60-38
Game 4: 61-29#Cavs
— Hayden Grove (@H_Grove) April 27, 2024
Not even scratching 40 points in either second half doesn’t bode well for a Cavaliers team that has electric guards in Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell.
However, the Magic are one of the few teams in the league that can match-up against them across all five positions because of their collective size, length, and physicality.
With the series tied 2-2 and going back to Cleveland, the Cavaliers need to find a way to snap the losing streak.
Having to go back to Orlando down 3-2 in the series would all but ensure that they get eliminated, so it’ll be interesting to see how they respond in Game 5.
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