The Cavaliers started the game hot, hitting their first five three-pointers of the game, leading to a 33-26 lead in the first period. Cleveland took a quick lead and never looked back, holding onto the advantage the entire afternoon.
The Orlando Magic’s intense and physical defense led to a couple of big runs as they tried to claw their way back into the game, but the Cavs always had an answer.
Down 53-41 at halftime, the Magic opened up the third quarter with a 12-4 run in a six and half minute span. The Magic’s ball pressure was preventing the Cavaliers from developing an offensive rhythm and it looked like they were going to make it a close game. But then Donovan Mitchell decided to take the game into his own hands, scoring the next seven Cavalier points and getting the game back on track.
The Cavaliers would build a 20-point lead in the fourth quarter, 78-58 with 11:19 left in the game. Then the Magic gave their last desperate attempt to win the game. They would hold the Cavaliers scoreless for almost four minutes, going on an 11-0 run cutting the lead to nine points. However, the Cavaliers would once again have an answer. They would close the game on a 19-14 run and win the game with no concerns in the final minutes.
It was a very promising first game of the playoffs, with all four of the Cavaliers core four having a good game and stepping up in different moments. The defense was strong, cutting off Orlando’s drives to the basket and forcing them to shoot a lot from the outside (the Magic are last in the NBA in three-pointers per game and in the bottom five in three-point percentage). The Cavs' dominant win resulted in four key takeaways for the rest of the series.
1. This series is Cleveland's to lose
The gap in talent between the Cavaliers and Magic was on full display in Game One. When the Cavaliers offense was engaged and moving the ball, they were able to consistently get good looks and their premier offensive players (Garland and Mitchell) were a combined 17-32 from the field and 5-o14 from behind the arc.
When the Cavaliers were able to handle the ball pressure, they were creating offense from the inside and out. Cleveland started the game on fire, with their aforementioned quick five triples, then missing 18 threes in a row. Despite this frustrating cold stretch, the Cavaliers were still able to withstand all of Orlando’s runs and never lost their lead. It is a really good sign for the Cavaliers to shoot 26.7 percent from behind the arc and still win the game by double digits.
The Cavaliers set a franchise record for three-pointers in a season and were seventh in the NBA in three-pointers per game at 36.7 percent throughout the regular season. This ear, Cleveland relies on the three-point shot in a big way for their offense, but they showed good versatility and diversity in their offensive approach against Orlando. Donovan Mitchell hit multiple floaters, and the big men Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen each scored 16 points. Offensively, the Cavaliers showed they should be able to score consistently in this series, winning by double digits when shooting so inconsistently from the outside.
The Cavaliers’ defensive strategy was executed well as they held the Magic to only 83 points on 32.6 percent from the field and 21.6 percent from behind the arc. Cleveland's defenders did a great job taking away what the Magic do best, cutting off and contesting drives from their two leading scorers, Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. By contesting the inside with their length, the Magic were forced to shoot 37 three-point shots - something their offense does not do well. The Magic are 23rd in the NBA in three-point percentage and last in three-pointers made.
Shooting from the outside is not what Orlando's offense is comfortable doing, and the Cavaliers knowingly dared them to take more shots from deep than typical. The Magic did shoot an abnormally low percentage from the field, but there isn’t much evidence that they are capable of being a high-scoring playoff team yet. The Magic were 23rd in the NBA in points per game, and it is unclear if Paolo Banchero or Franz Wagner are capable of being true number one options in the playoffs at this stage.
Both players enjoy attacking the rim and can have a hard time scoring when forced to shoot from the outside. Banchero shot 33.9 percent from three during the regular season, while Wagner shot a very low 28.1 percent. The Magic stars either need to start hitting from the outside consistently or surround themselves with better shooting. The Magic do go to the free throw line more than any team in the NBA and shot 30 free throws today, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Cavs. If the Cavaliers can stay tough with their interior defense, the Magic will have a hard time scoring this series, and the Cavaliers should be able to stay in the driver’s seat.
2. Playoff Donovan Mitchell is back and healthy
Donovan Mitchell only played eight games during the last two months of the regular season due to a knee and nose injury. In those eight games, he only exceeded 20 points in three of them, and he shot just under 30 percent from the field in the month of March. Mitchell was showing some progress in April (with all three of his 20-point games being in that month), but it was still unclear how healthy he would look for the playoffs.
Fortunately, Mitchell looked like his usual self in the opening win. He showed flashes of his famed athleticism with multiple drives to the basket and had his legs under him when shooting from the outside. Donovan was the best player in the game, scoring 30 points and grabbing three steals. If the Cavaliers want to make a run this postseason, they will need a healthy and efficient Donovan Mitchell.
In Mitchell's Utah Jazz years, he built a reputation as a phenomenal playoff performer, though he could fall into cold spells and lose his way at times. With his 50-point duels with Jamal Murray in the 2020 NBA Bubble, Mitchell's postseason legacy drew Cleveland's interest for the massive 2022 trade in the first place. For Cleveland to reach their ceiling, they must play through Mitchell.
3. Cleveland's turnovers could be a problem again
After leading all playoff teams in turnovers per game last year, the Cavaliers have not fully rectified this flaw and turned the ball over fairly often against Orlando. Still, the Cavaliers struggled again with ball pressure, turning the ball over 17 times, creating scoring runs for Orlando to get back in the game. Garland and Strus each seemed to be rattled by the pressure, turning it over five times each. The Orlando Magic are a formidable defensive team and led the NBA in turnovers caused per game. The officials also let teams play even more aggressively in the playoffs and the Cavaliers will need to adjust to the physicality.
The Cavaliers seemed to want to send a message that they were going to be tougher this year and not be pushed around. Isaac Okoro and Georges Niang both received technical fouls early, setting the tone for Cleveland's physicality. Hopefully, the Cavaliers are able to address the ball security issues and continue to bring a tough attitude to court and control the series.
Fortunately, Cleveland forced 12 Orlando turnovers, including nine from Banchero alone. The Cavs clearly leaned into their experience and punished the Magic's playoff rookie mistakes. Entering the second game, the Cavaliers must prepare for Orlando to prioritize pushing Cleveland to their limit with turnovers.
4. Evan Mobley is showing flashes of greatness
In the first half of the Cavaliers game, Evan Mobley showed why this fanbase is so hopeful for his future and how great of a player he can become. Mobley had 16 points early in the second quarter and was getting his points in multiple ways. He drained his first two three-point attempts, dunked in the pick-and-roll game and even scored a hook shot out of the post. If Mobley keeps hitting outside shots with consistency and can improves his post play and face up drives, he could become an offensive force that this team needs to reach the next level.
On top of his early offensive explosion, Mobley demonstrated his defensive brilliance. He did a great job guarding the Magic frontcourt, cutting off drives and contesting shots with his length. Mobley is already a consistent defensive player, but becoming a consistent offensive force could make this team a true championship contender. Mobley finished the game with 16 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks. His impact on both ends of the court elevated Cleveland throughout the game and will surely be appreciated in the next.
The Cleveland Cavaliers meet the Orlando Magic again on Monday, Aprill 22 at 7:00pm Eastern Time before heading to Florida for the third and fourth games of the series. With a chance for a commanding 2-0 lead, the Cavs must rely on these takeaways and take charge of game two early once again.