Live Thread: Magic @ Cavs
2022-03-28Good evening CtB!
Tonight the Orlando Magic travel north to the shores of Lake Erie to take on the reeling Cavs, who are desperate to snap their three game losing streak and remain relevant in the playoff lock picture. The Magic are caught between two worlds. On the one hand, they’re 4-6 in their last 10 games, they’re trending in the right direction and probably want to build some good vibes heading into the offseason. On the other hand, they’re locked in a three way tie for the best lottery odds, this draft is their chance to secure an alpha dog to complete their rebuild. Players and coaches always want to win, but it’d be in their long term interest to secure prime lottery odds.
Another fun subplot to this game is the Rookie of the Year race. Evan Mobley is locked in a heated battle with Scottie Barnes and Cade Cunningham, but Franz Wagner certainly should be in the conversation as well in spite of an arguably weaker resume and a lack of team success. The Michigan product is demonstrating some scoring and playmaking savvy that suggests a near future as a 20/5/5 guy, and that’s a conservative assessment. The Magic have some young, fun pieces but are missing their gamechanger.
As for the game itself, how do the Cavs eek out a win tonight? It has to start on the defensive end. The Magic are one of the worst offensive teams in the NBA. They’re turnover prone despite being a good passing team, they brick a lot of shots, and don’t crash the offensive boards. The Cavs will need to create easy offense from their defense, since the Magic do actually have a solid defense in spite of being a lottery lock. If the Cavs buckle down on defense, they won’t have to be perfect on offense to win.
Tip off is scheduled for 7:00PM ET and will be broadcasted live on Bally Sports Ohio/Great Lakes, Go Cavs!
Freaking Magic just decided to start hitting every single three they take…
Windler played solid, he didn’t do anything spectacular, but no mistakes either. Cedi may never play again
Until next game with the way the Cavs have been using their players.
Cedi’s value was super high right before trade deadline. I wanted to keep him cuz the bench’s chemistry was so good but looks like it might have been the right move to somehow grab derek white. Spurs are high on Cedi.
Windler and DG both with +15, leading the team
This is hilariously blatant tanking but I’m here for it
Freaking bullet from DG to Lauri…
Windler good again this game but guy just cannot hit a shot
If he keeps getting mins consistently that will change. If he keeps getting his chain yanked we have not reason to expect anything from him
I would take him over Cedi all day…at least he actually can play basketball…
All about role.
I really like how he crashes the D boards and he has pretty good time on help defense.
He’s got good form on his shot – just needs to lock himself in the gym and shoot corner 3 after corner 3
Think he just needs consistent PT to get his confidence up
Clear path…
That looked obvious…
DG is really good.
Darius the great!
DG closer
Has not been easy for DG tonight, but two straight huge shots…
He’s gotta be gassed for how many minutes he’s been logging…
DG3!!!!
Magic still have the reserves in #tankstrong
Laur3!!!
The Big Finnish
Windler yet another good defensive play…
I like Windler back in.
This is a layup drill for the magic.. 😔 62-38 advantage in the paint for magic – 67% of their points.. I mean come on.
We can’t get a single call going to the hoop. Levert got hogged tied around the shoulders on that last drive with no call. Just watched it again. Literally grabbed on both shoulders.
Levert is frustrating
Why can’t he get a single call going to the hoop? The refs treat him like he’s a rookie.
Put brown back in.
Seriously,Where is he?
JB probably doesn’t ‘trust’ him enough…
4th quarter offense = long 3s (bricking)
LeVert always has his guy beat then crosses over again to let his man recover.
I noticed that too, creates advantages but then gives it right back.
It’s like he is surprised that he beats them off his first move and doesn’t know what to do with himself lol
Seems to have a glacial release…
ice pick.
Big shot Lauri.
Good point, AC…just passing around the perimeter, then taking a bad jumper…
Gassed. Gotta give Garland more rest.
But that would mean JB giving minutes to someone he doesn’t ‘trust’! (And god, am I tired of hearing about JB’s trust level with players…this is an injury gutted roster, dude)
Lauri to check back in
Lauri returning…
Please put Brown in the game, JB…
Caris two straight dumb plays.
I feel when caris drives, it’s very one sighted to score and feels like he doesn’t have control of the ball or a plan.
Yep
Absolutely gutted for this team and organization. As bad if injury luck as I can remember
NBAPA should advocate for 72 game season, Cavs should look to load manage against the best teams on the road next year. Save 6-10 games of Garland/Mobley etc
Playoffs are going to become a war of attrition. Game is too fast and physical now
And Levert misses an absolute bunny…
Also, Windler has been good on the boards and on D…he also has to look to score when possible. Cavs don’t do him any favors by just having him run corner to corner, though.
Gonna have to gut this one out.
Celtics hanging in with the Raptors at halftime without Tatum/Brown.
that would be a nice result…still likely wouldn’t matter much unless they also lose 3 players to injury lol
I would probably play Brown the entire 4th if he can…otherwise it’s just a layup line…also, too many long jumpers from Levert…try to get him the ball closer to the rim. He’s not really a great dribble driver…
Man this is ugly
Moses has kinda saved this one.
Moses!!!
Brown plays really hard. I can forgive mistakes when he’s working hard like that.
Dodged a bullet there…
So many injuries… cursed
At least a Flagrant 1
for what? Standing there tall?
are we going to have any players left after this game?
Jesus now Stevens down. That’s a dirty play
Moses Brown really is an epic name. “And Moses throws the hammer down!!!”
Sorry haven’t been on till now. Had an awards banquet for my senior.
Why hasn’t Moses been playing?
JB’s hand MUST be forced by injuries. This is the way.
Hope Lauri is OK. This game is brutal.
Brown, like Windler, actually gets his hands on rebounds…
This is going to be a long 20 minutes towards a win hopefully !
Mobley out for the game, left ankle sprain.
Injuries aside, Cavs are going back to their five out offense where one or two guys can shoot…inventive…
Quite a turn of events.
I’m in the arena any word on Evan? Lauri just went down in front of me Ugh
Not yet, should have a report shortly…
Damn good thing that 1st rounder is lottery protected.
They are having their way in the paint.. so frustrating.
This is absurd…
LM down. What the hell.
Ugh just saw the news about Mobley. Really hoping he’s ok
Oh no. Just tuned in. What happened?
Twisted ankle…he did walk to the lockerroom unassisted…
That turnover marred a mini Kevalanche…hope Mobes can tape that ankle and return…
If Mobley is out for any significant time, we’re cooked
Not much defense in there when Love Mark front court
i’ll be pretty surprised if we win this one. we can’t stop a parked car from scoring now. and we’re bound to go through a dry spell. such an annoying end to the year.
Down to 6
Is Mobley ok?!
probably just a twisted ankle but we’ll know in 2nd half if its more serious. what a year.
CAN’T WATCH GAME —–JUST CHECKED BOX SCORE—WINDLER WITH SOME POSITIVE MINUTES !!!!
Make it 12-0! Let’s keep it up for the rest of the half and blow this open .
Just tuning in!!! 10-0 run let’s go !!!
Box score watching, cavs appear to be stepping up defensively!
Anyone know what Wade’s contract status is?
Believe cavs have another year of team control. Can verify later, I’m out for the evening.
NEED TO —-“LET THE DAWGS OUT “—GET THE WOOF-WOOF WOOF BACK IN OUR GAME
100%!!! 🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶🐶