Sports

Magic lose at home 118-94 to Cavs on final home game

ORLANDO, FL – The Orlando Magic faced the Cleveland Cavaliers on what would be its final home game of the season. The Cavs reserves made easy work of the Magic reserves for a 118-94 win, ending the Orlando 2022-23 home season with a loss.

Orlando, Florida, USA, April 6, 2023, Cleveland Cavaliers forward Mamadi Diakite #21 attempt to make a basket during the first half at the Amway Center. (Photo Credit: Marty Jean-Louis)

Both teams allowed their reserve players got get some playing time, as the normal starting lineups on bot the Cavaliers and Magic squads were listed with injuries on the night.

Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley started Jalen Suggs, Mo Wagner, Bol Bol, Chuma Okeke, and Caleb Houston.

Coach BJ Bickerstaff  started with Ricky Rubio, Robin Lopez, Cedti Osman, Lamar Steven, and Dean Wade.

On the night, the Magic squad had trouble taking care of the ball in the first half, with 13 turnovers leading to 17 Cavs points in the first half. Orlando did manage to build up a lead of 11 points in the first aha, but trailed for the rest of the game.

Orlando, Florida, USA, April 6, 2023, Cleveland Cavaliers Small Forward Cedi Osman #16 attempt to make a layup in the first half at the Amway Center. (Photo Credit: Marty Jean-Louis)

Green, Osmet, and Rubio managed to build the Cleveland lead with solid three point shooting. Robin Lopez used his sheer size to cause problems for Orlando on offense, including Mo Wagner coming at ROLO four times to try score inside, only got be denied.

Mosley played players that we haven’t see much of this season in the game, such as Michael Carter-Williams, Kevon Harris, and newcomer Jay Scrubb.

Scrubb managed to score 11 points in the game on four of six shooting including going two of two from deep.

Another positive was Chuma Okeke. Chuma is one of those guys that has value, but it’s not evident on the scoring sheet.  He only scored two points on the night, but had three blocked shots, three assists, and five rebounds. His ability to get in space, cause defensive disruptions,  keeping the flow of the offense going, and making the smart choices.

Orlando opened the game with a 42-33 lead, much of it on the strong shooting and play by Jalen Suggs, who scored 14 of his 22 points in the first quarter.

After that, it was a different game. The Cavaliers dominated the second quarter, outscoring the Magic 34 – 15, and continuing into the this quarter, taking that 28 – 16. Orlando put up more of a fight in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough to stop Cleveland, who lead by as much as 33 points in the second half.

“I’m excited about tis group, we’re excited about each other.” said Mosley “Our fans are excited. We have just a great young talented group that has gotten better. They have learned a level of resiliency that they have to have and how hard they have to work to be successful in this league.”

Orlando heads up to Brooklyn to face the Nets tomorrow, and back down to Maimi to face the Miami Heat and finish the 2022-23 season.

 

 

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