The Cleveland Cavaliers went 15-0 early in the season and replicates the same magnanimous feat after going 16-0 since February. However, the streak would be ended by one of the best defensive teams in the league right now – the Orlando Magic.
The Magic fell down in the standings after both Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner suffered serious injuries in the middle of the season. But things would take a turn on Monday as this young team managed to make a come from behind win over the best team in the East, putting an end to the Cavaliers’ franchise-best 16-game win streak, 108-103.
Orlando put a great effort on the defensive end resulting in Cleveland’s late-game blunders. Initially, the Cavs led by 13 at the half, but the Magic made a terrific masterclass in the final two quarters against All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland.
Although they weren’t shooting well, Banchero and Wagner gave the No.1 seed a run for their money. Banchero recorded a 24-point, 11-rebound double-double despite only making 6 of his 22 attempts. Wagner, on the other hand, also had an impressive night, finishing with 22 points and 8 rebounds in 36 minutes.
The Cavaliers were missing the presence of All-Defensive forward Evan Mobley, who would have been the game-changing factor against the Magic’s talented wings.
What the Cleveland Cavaliers Need to Focus On Moving Forward
With Mitchell as the cornerstone of the franchise and Garland, Mobley, and Allen as the perfect stars to compliment his play, the Cavs are set to come out of the East and return to the Finals again, except for one thing that’s evidently becoming a hindrance to their future success.
They’re already a championship contender and a solid team with top-tier offense (maybe even the best in the league), but what they have to do is find a way to defend the wing.
Banchero and Wagner’s dominance against the Cavs in that position was the proof of this shortcoming. Although De’Andre Hunter was acquired for the same reason, it’s still not enough against the talented small forwards of the Eastern conference (e.g. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Franz Wagner, Mikal Bridges, and more).
During last year’s playoffs, Orlando forced seven games against Cleveland. If they meet again later in the postseason, that may well be the case again especially if Jalen Suggs returns to the lineup. If they could survive the eighth-seeded Magic in the first round, they’d still have to go up against Giannis’ Bucks in the semis and then face the reigning champs, the Boston Celtics, in the conference finals.
Even with their stellar offense, the Cleveland Cavaliers still need to find the last piece of the puzzle to contend against Boston, Milwaukee, or New York.
In hindsight, Orlando Magic’s Monday victory could be a foreshadowing of an unexpected playoff upset, much like how the “We Believe” outplayed the No.1 seed Dallas Mavericks back in the first round of the 2007 playoffs. Hopefully, this up-and-coming squad doesn’t suffer the same fate.
