CLEVELAND — You couldn't have asked for a much better start to the NBA playoffs from the Cleveland Cavaliers than what they have accomplished.
On Monday night, the Cavaliers knocked down the Orlando Magic 96-86 in Game 2 of their first-round series. With the win, the Cavaliers take a convincing 2-0 lead in the series after taking full advantage of the first two games being in Cleveland.
Throughout the entirety of the game, the Cavaliers proved to be the more experienced team, shooting 41.5% from the field. While it was still below normal for the group, it once again out-paced the Magic, whose offensive woes carried over from Game 1 in the face of Cleveland's defense.
Donovan Mitchell, who got off to a lights-out start in the first quarter, led the team in points with 23. He was followed by Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen with 16 and 17 points, respectively.
Mitchell knocked down the first five points of the game. His fiery play from Saturday translated into Monday's game, with him tallying 14 points and six rebounds in the first quarter.
However, the Magic's playoff nerves continued as the team couldn't find an offensive rhythm in the first quarter, shooting a mere 31.8% from the field and 9.1% from beyond the arc.
The Cavs finished the first quarter on a 7-point run, leading the Magic 30-18,
In the second quarter, the Magic started to find their rhythm as they outscored the Cavaliers 10-3 in the first three minutes of the second quarter. After coming off of the bench, Issac Okoro caused a major spark for the Cavs knocking down eight straight points, resulting in the Cavs taking a commanding 46-31 lead with 6:29 left in the first half.
The Cavaliers also improved on their 3-point shooting, shooting 42.1% in the first half after struggling in Game 1. Going into the locker room, the Cavs held a convincing 58-44 lead over the Magic.
The Cavaliers continued to dominate offensively in the third quarter, with Evan Mobley getting off to a hot start knocking down a 3-pointer. The Cavs continued to lead 80-65 at the end of the third quarter.
Late in the fourth quarter, the Magic started to mount a comeback, with Jalen Suggs making it a 10-point game (87-77) with less than five minutes left in the game. However, the Cavs continued to pull away, finishing out with a 96-86 win.
Game 3 will tip off from Florida at 7 p.m. on Thursday.