Cleveland got back to its winning ways at home.
Final: Cleveland Cavaliers 104, Orlando Magic 103.
Darius Garland played his best basketball of the series by far, coming out aggressive and scoring 17 of his 23 points in the first quarter. Donovan Mitchell scored a team-high 28 points. Max Strus and Marcus Morris Sr. added 16 and 12 points respectively.
Evan Mobley won the game for the Cavs.
This block (the highlight can be found here) sealed the win and carried a high degree of difficulty. To do this as he’s sliding — almost a half step behind Franz Wagner — and then to block the shot and time it just right as not to foul is why Mobley is special. He is capable of elite defensive play in the biggest moments.
GET THAT WEAK STUFF OUTTA HERE. #LETEMKNOW pic.twitter.com/DRw1Um9Zok
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 1, 2024
Mobley had a lot thrown at him in this game too. With Jarrett Allen out with a rib issue, Mobley was thrust into the starting center role. His final stat line — 14 points, 13 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks — wasn’t huge. But it was exactly what Cleveland needed to regain control of this series. He battled all game and delivered at the biggest moment.
The Cavs needed this win. This win — coming off of two disastrous losses in Orlando — was the exact kind of win Cleveland needed if wanted a chance of advancing. Even just for self-respect, the Cavs needed this one. The two losses in Orlando did not indicate that the Cavs were a serious team or took the playoff seriously. This win — with how close it was, with how physical it got — does.
Now, the job is to finish this series and prove that this team is more good than bad, to exercise some of the demons the Cavs have.
Up next: Game 6 is Friday back in Orlando. Tipoff is TBD.
