CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers have already impressed fans in just the first game of the 2024 NBA Playoffs following last year's disappointing first-round exit.
After a commanding 97-83 victory over the Orlando Magic in Game 1 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs, the Cavaliers are looking to build off their momentum in order to take a 2-0 series lead before heading to Florida for games three and four.
What follows is everything you need to know about the Cavaliers vs. Magic Game 2 matchup.
- Date: Monday, April 22, 2024
- Time: 7 p.m.
- Location: Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio
- TV channel: Bally Sports Ohio, NBA TV
- Radio: WTAM/WNZN
- Betting line: Cavaliers -5.5
- Over-under point total: 203.5
3News will also have live coverage leading up to, during and after the game, both on-air and online.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Orlando Magic series schedule
Game 1: Saturday, April 20, 1 p.m.
CAVS WIN: 97-83
Game 2: Monday, April 22, 7 p.m.
Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Game 3: Thursday, April 25, 7 p.m.
Kia Center
Game 4: Saturday, April 27, 1 p.m.
Kia Center
Game 5: Tuesday, April 30
If necessary
Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Game 6: Friday, May 3
If necessary
Kia Center
Game 7: Sunday, May 5
If necessary
Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Preview
The Cleveland Cavaliers have already proved that they are a better playoff team than last year’s following Saturday’s Game 1 victory over the Orlando Magic.
From tipoff of game 1, the Cavaliers figured out a way to get past the Magic's defense and showed the kind of toughness everyone was asking for in last year's playoff series against the Knicks. The Cavaliers showed the poise of an experienced team never surrendering their lead through multiple late game runs from Orlando.
One of the most notable things to take away from Saturday's performance was how Donovan Mitchell played. Saturday seemed to be the first time since his knee injury that he looked like himself on the court, playing with fiery bursts of energy and domination.
Heading into tonight's game, the Cavaliers will need to look at improving their shot from behind the arc. Despite going 5-5 on their first 3-point shots of the game, the Cavs shot a dismal 26.7% from beyond the arc.
However, Saturday showed Evan Mobley's capabilities of shooting from beyond the arc, which could be a game-changer for this Cavs offense going against a Magic team that held their opponents to 108.4 points per game during the regular season.
With one game under their belts, we can expect the young Orlando Magic roster to shake off their playoff nerves and come out firing, trying to tie the series.
All in all, tonight proves to be a big contest for the Cavaliers, as they have an opportunity to take a 2-0 advantage before heading on the road to Orlando for games 3 and 4 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs.