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Dan Savage

Pregame Report from AdventHealth Training Center

&nbsp;ORLANDO –&nbsp;Throughout the entirety of their 2023-24 campaign, the Orlando Magic have been exceptional on their home floor.

The Magic finished the regular season with the third-best home record in the Eastern Conference and were a perfect 17-0 against sub-.500 competition at Kia Center.

That success has translated to the postseason. While Orlando has yet to record a road victory in its first-round playoff series with the Cleveland Cavaliers, it's dominated on its home floor. The Magic have won their two games in Orlando by an average of 30.5 points per contest.

The Magic (2-3) will attempt to extend their best-of-seven series with the Cavaliers (3-2) by continuing to cook on their home floor when the two teams face off for Game 6 on Friday at 7 p.m. ET.

“The fans have been great; they've been great all season, not just in the playoffs,” said Magic guard Cole Anthony. “They’ve turned it up to another level in the playoffs. It’s always great playing in front of the home crowd. They make it fun for us.”

Orlando came extremely close to pulling off the first road victory of the series, but fell just short in Cleveland with a 104-103 Game 5 defeat. As a result, the Magic spent their practice session on Thursday detailing their defense and working on the flow of their offense as they look to stave off elimination in Game 6 and force a winner-take-all Game 7.

“You have to go take it,” said Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley. “We talked about that (concept) in our film session. No game has been the same. Understanding that Game 6 is going to be different than Game 5. Game 6 is going to be different than Games 3 and 4 at home. Just because you’re at home does not mean that you can play the exact same way you did then. You have to change a little bit of the energy (and) the effort. All of those little things are going to matter. It’s going to be a different type of game, and we have to be able to adjust to that as we go.”

The Magic hope to continue to get a boost from their star-studded combo of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Over the course of the last three contests, the Magic have received a 30-plus-point performance from at least one of their two budding young franchise cornerstones.

“We were right there (in Game 5),” said Banchero. “(Now), we want to take care of home court. If we want to win and move on, we’re going to have to win (in Cleveland). I think everybody knows that and everybody is excited for that challenge. But it starts on Friday; we have to win on Friday.”

If trends continue, the Magic’s role players should be able to give Orlando a better boost in Game 6. At home, the Magic’s reserves are posting 44.5 points per outing while shooting 52.2 percent from the floor and 40 percent from deep. On the road, those numbers dip to 23.0 points per contest, while shooting 35.4 percent from the field and 22.2 percent from 3-point range.

KEY STATS:&nbsp;Since he’s entered the league, Banchero has put up historic numbers. That trend has carried over into the postseason. After posting 31 points in Game 3 and 39 in Game 5, Banchero became the third-youngest player in NBA history to record multiple 30-plus-point games, behind only Anthony Edwards and LeBron James.

QUOTE TO NOTE:&nbsp;“It’s a do-or-die situation. I think we’re going to have that sense of urgency as soon as we step on that court. I think we’re all excited about this game.” – Anthony

IN AND OUT:&nbsp;Gary Harris (right hamstring; strain) went through the walk through portion of Thursday’s practice, but remains a game-time decision for Orlando.For Cleveland, Jarrett Allen (right rib; contusion) is questionable, while Ty Jerome (right ankle; surgery), Craig Porter Jr. (left ankle; sprain), and Dean Wade (right knee; sprain) are out.

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Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: Game 6 Preview

Josh Cohen

ORLANDO - Not many teams can say that their two best offensive players are also very good defenders. One of the few that can, however, are the Orlando Magic, who have been just as good defensively in their first-round playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers as they were throughout the regular season.

Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner have both been superb defensively in this series. They’ve each had spectacular offensive games as well – Banchero in Games 3 (31 points, five assists, zero turnovers) and 5 (39 points, four assists), particularly, and Wagner in Game 4 (34 points, four assists, zero turnovers). 

What they are doing defensively deserves more praise, though. Here’s some data to back that up:

There are 49 players so far in these playoffs who have contested at least 50 shots. Opponents have shot under 40 percent against just 15 of them. Among those 15 are Banchero and Wagner.

The Cavs are shooting just 28 percent on 50 attempts with Wagner as the nearest contesting defender, per Second Spectrum. The only other player with a defensive field goal percentage under 30 percent is Miami’s Jaime Jaquez Jr., who appeared in just four of the Heat’s five games played against the Celtics.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Cleveland is shooting just 36.1 percent with Banchero contesting. That ranks ninth among those 49 qualified players.&nbsp;

Both being 6-foot-10 is a factor. When they have contested perimeter shots, which is something the Magic as a whole have done exceptionally well throughout this series, the Cavs have struggled mightily. With Wagner contesting, the Cavs are 4-of-25 (16 percent) from 3-point range. Against Banchero, they are 7-of-28 (25 percent).&nbsp;

None of this should come as a surprise, though. Both were very good defensively during the regular season, and, in many ways, got better on that end as the season went along.

“Franz throughout the year has just continued to improve defensively – willing to take on all challenges,” Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said. “When we go into that switch package, his ability to sit down and guard, his length, his timing, his basketball IQ – all of those things play a big factor in him becoming and continuing to grow into a great defender.”

“He’s a winner,” Mosley said of Banchero. “That’s who he is…He’s going to find whatever way necessary to help his team win – whether that’s scoring, rebounding, defending. Whatever that looks like, that’s the young man he is.”&nbsp;

The Magic, so far, have the second-best defensive rating (98.9) in these playoffs. Only the Thunder have a better mark.&nbsp;

The Cavs are shooting 43 percent overall and 28.7 percent from beyond the arc. They’re also averaging 14.4 turnovers, largely because of Orlando’s defensive pressure and intensity.&nbsp;

Those who were unfamiliar with how special of a duo Banchero and Wagner are prior to these playoffs are now certainly more aware.&nbsp;

“That’s why our teammates look to us to lead the guys – as we are supposed to step up in the biggest games, in the biggest moments,” Banchero said. “I don’t think either one of us felt like it was an out-of-body experience or anything. I think that’s just what we are here to do.”

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Game 5: Franz Wagner

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Game 5: Paolo Banchero

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Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner’s Defense Has Been Top-Notch in Playoff Series Against Cavs

CLEVELAND - Eventually, you had to figure, at least one of these games in this first-round playoff series between the Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers would come down to the wire. 

The Cavs in the first two games never trailed, while the Magic led at one point in Game 3 by 43 and in Game 4 by 30.&nbsp;

The outcome of Game 5, however, was up in the air until the final seconds.

Despite a Herculean effort by Paolo Banchero, who erupted for 39 points, the Magic were unable to hold off the Cavs in the final moments in a 104-103 defeat at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Tuesday night.

Evan Mobley made the game’s biggest plays. First, with 1:43 left, he put Cleveland in front with a dunk. Then, with 40 seconds remaining, his layup extended the Cavs’ lead to four. Finally, with Cleveland up just two, he blocked Franz Wagner’s potential game-tying layup attempt in the final seconds.&nbsp;

“I thought he did a great job getting to the basket,” Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley said of that shot attempt from Wagner. “Mobley made a hell of a play with the block at the rim. With pace, we went down with speed. He had gotten an opportunity. Mobley made a hell of a play on the ball.”&nbsp;

Donovan Mitchell, who finished with 28 points, knocked down a pair of free throws subsequently to seal it.&nbsp;

The game was a seesaw battle most of the way. There were 17 lead changes. The Cavs led by 10 early and the Magic’s largest lead was three.&nbsp;

Three-point shooting was again an issue for the Magic in this arena. After going 8-for-37 from beyond the arc in Game 1 and 9-for-35 in Game 2, Orlando went 9-for-31 in Game 5.&nbsp;

Cleveland also took advantage of Orlando’s mistakes, scoring 17 points off the Magic’s turnovers.&nbsp;

The Cavs were forced to roll out a smaller starting lineup because of the absence of Jarrett Allen, who was unable to go because of a right rib contusion. Cleveland slid Mobley to center and Isaac Okoro got the start alongside Mitchell, Darius Garland and Max Strus. Gary Harris, meanwhile, left the game early for the Magic with a right hamstring strain.

Banchero had an all-around stellar performance, making 14 of his 24 floor shots, including four of his seven 3-pointers, to go along with grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out four assists. Franz finished with 14 points, five rebounds and six assists, while Jalen Suggs had 13 points.&nbsp;

“I just wanted to be aggressive, hunt my shots and make the shots that I take,” Banchero said. “I think I got a little fatigued at the end. I think Mobley did a good job of kind of playing in between to where he was still able to contest but (also) waiting for the drive. It was tough. There are a couple possessions where I wish I could have back.”

Garland posted 23 points for the Cavs, while Strus scored 16 and Mobley had 14 points and 13 rebounds.

The Magic will look to even up this best-of-seven series when they host Game 6 on Friday at Kia Center. If a Game 7 is necessary, it will take place back in Cleveland on Sunday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Orlando Magic Lose Heartbreaker in Game 5 to Cleveland Cavaliers

If you’ve ever doubted the importance of home-court advantage in the NBA, you need not look any further than this first-round playoff series to change your mind.

Not only has the home team won every contest through four games, but every victory has been by double digits.

After the Cleveland Cavaliers took Games 1 and 2 by an average of 12 points per outing, the Orlando Magic responded at Kia Center claiming Games 3 and 4 with an average margin of victory of 30.5 points per contest. In the process, Orlando became the first team in NBA history to trail a series 0-2 and then win Games 3 and 4 by a combined 60-plus points.

Now, the Magic will attempt to put an end to that trend when they head up to Cleveland for a Game 5 showdown with the Cavaliers on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET.

“We are coming off two wins, so obviously, we feel good,” said Magic All-Star forward Paolo Banchero. “But we do know we haven’t won (in Cleveland) in the first two games. So, we’re going to have to really come together as a group and do what we can to win the next one.”

Orlando is well aware of what it will take to pull off that type of feat. In its first two contests in Cleveland, slow starts and turnovers plagued the Magic and allowed the Cavaliers to consistently play with the lead.&nbsp;Orlando gave up 30-plus points in the first quarters of Games 1 and 2 – a mark it did not allow in any other frame – and was outscored by an average of 9.5 points in the opening period.

“That’s what it was; it was their ability to get out on the break, whether that was turnovers or just us missing some shots,” said Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley. “They were able to get early, easy baskets (and) watch the ball go in the hole. That got their crowd into it. That got them into it. They’ve been looking to get off to faster starts. So, our ability to lock in from the beginning of the game without our home crowd being able to generate that energy (is something) we have to be focused on.”

While Orlando will look to accomplish that goal by committee – as it’s done all season long – it would certainly be advantageous if its franchise cornerstones could continue to perform at the level they did in Games 3 and 4.

After Paolo Banchero put on a masterclass in Game 3 with a 31-point, 14-rebound, five-assist and zero-turnover showing, Franz Wagner followed that up with a 34-point, 13-board, four-dime, and zero-turnover display in Game 4.

“That’s what we do,” Banchero explained. “That’s why our teammates look to us to lead the guys because we’re supposed to step up in the biggest games and in the biggest moments. So, I don’t think either one of us felt like it was an out-of-body experience or anything. That’s just what we’re here to do.”

The last time the Magic had different players with consecutive 30-point playoff games was on May 19 and 21 in 1996 against the Chicago Bulls when Penny Hardaway (38) and Shaquille O’Neal (36) hit that mark in back-to-back contests.

KEY STATS:&nbsp;Over the last decade, only three players have recorded a playoff game with 30-plus points, 10-plus rebounds, zero turnovers, and a positive 25 plus-minus rating. Per StatMuse, two of them happen to be Banchero and Wagner, who achieved the feat over just a three-day span.

QUOTE TO NOTE:&nbsp;“We’re not satisfied at all. We just got two wins. We need two more against them, so we’ve got to stay locked in and you know, hopefully get the next game in Cleveland.” – Franz Wagner after Orlando evened the best-of-seven series in Game 4

IN AND OUT: Orlando continues to have a clean bill of health entering Game 5.For Cleveland, Jarrett Allen (right rib; contusion), Ty Jerome (right ankle; surgery), Craig Porter Jr. (left ankle; sprain), and Dean Wade (right knee; sprain) are out.

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Orlando Magic at Cleveland Cavaliers: Game 5 Preview

CLEVELAND - The No. 1 curiosity right now going into Game 5 of this first-round playoff matchup between the Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers is how many times in the NBA a team has overcome a 2-0 deficit to win a best-of-seven series.  

Well, it’s happened 27 times out of 342 such occurrences, per Land of Basketball.&nbsp;Including the Magic-Cavs series, there are four series currently going on that started 2-0.&nbsp;

Just in the last three seasons alone, six times a team overcame a 2-0 series deficit. Last year, the Golden State Warriors eliminated the Sacramento Kings in the first round of the postseason after going down 0-2. In 2022, the Dallas Mavericks did the same against the Phoenix Suns in the conference semifinals.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Of those 27 total times, five were such where the team that won the series lost the first two games at home. Most recently that happened in 2021 when the Clippers lost the first two games in L.A. to the Mavs before claiming the series in seven games.&nbsp;

Also, 14 times the series ended in six games and 13 times it ended in seven – so just about a 50/50 split. The Milwaukee Bucks in the 2021 NBA Finals against the Suns were the last team to win a series in six games after trailing 0-2.&nbsp;

Best-of-five series existed prior to the 2003 season. If you include those, there have been 33 series victories by teams that fell behind 0-2.

All four games of this current Magic-Cavs series have been decided by at least 10 points. By winning Game 3 by 38, the third-largest margin of victory in Orlando postseason history, and Game 4 by 23, the Magic became the first NBA team ever to win Games 3 and 4 by a combined 60-plus points after trailing the series 0-2.&nbsp;

In the second half of Game 4, Orlando held Cleveland to 29 points, tied for the fewest allowed after halftime in Magic playoff history.&nbsp;

Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner have already done something this series that hadn’t been done by a Magic pair since the mid-90s. With Banchero scoring 31 in Game 3 and Wagner scoring 34 in Game 4, they became the first Magic duo since Penny Hardaway and Shaquille O’Neal in 1996 to each have 30-plus points in consecutive postseason games.

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Magic Practice: Jamahl Mosley (4/29)

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Orlando Magic Looking to Become Latest Team to Win Playoff Series After Trailing 0-2

ORLANDO - Through a full week of the playoffs, there are only two teams with a defensive rating under 100. The Oklahoma City Thunder, who are up 3-0 on the New Orleans Pelicans, are one of them. The other are the Orlando Magic, who evened up their series with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday afternoon with a second straight resounding win at Kia Center.

The Cavs, through the first four games, are averaging just 91.3 points on 42.9 percent overall floor shooting and a playoff-low 26.7 percent 3-point shooting.

A big factor in Cleveland’s perimeter shooting struggles is Orlando’s combination of length and contesting frequency.&nbsp;

This stat tells a big piece of that story: Of the 120 3-pointers the Cavs have taken so far this series, 72 have been heavily contested, per Second Spectrum. That’s 60 percent of Cleveland’s 3-point attempts. The Cavs have only made 25 percent of them.&nbsp;

While four games are a relatively small sample size, those are unprecedented playoff numbers. Since this stat started getting tracked in 2014, never has a team in the playoffs heavily contested 60-plus percent of the opponents’ 3-point shots while also holding them to under 30 percent 3-point shooting.&nbsp;

The Cavs have been bothered by the Magic’s collective size.&nbsp;

While this shouldn’t come as much of a surprise considering Jonathan Isaac is arguably pound-for-pound the best defender in the league, the Cavs are 0-of-8 from 3-point range with the 6-foot-10, 230-pounder contesting. Meanwhile, they are 0-of-5 from beyond the arc with Wendell Carter Jr. contesting.&nbsp;

Others are causing havoc as well. The Cavs are 3-of-21 (14.3 percent) from downtown with Franz Wagner contesting. Of the 15 players who have contested at least 20 threes so far, that ranks No. 1. Paolo Banchero is also one of those 15 players, and Cleveland has made just five of its 20 3-pointers with the 2024 NBA All-Star contesting.&nbsp;

The job the Magic have done on Cleveland’s 3-point snipers has been extraordinary. Max Strus is 2-of-16 from 3-point land with a contest, while Georges Niang is 1-of-9.&nbsp;

Donovan Mitchell has also struggled. He’s 7-of-27.&nbsp;

As we saw in the third quarter of Saturday’s Game 4, in which the Magic held the Cavs to just 10 points that frame, there aren’t many ways to evade a locked-in Orlando defense.&nbsp;

“You give us a two-and-a-half, three-minute stretch where we can play the defense that we are known to play, we can (build) the lead on any game,” Isaac said. “That’s a part of what makes us dangerous, and we were able to showcase that tonight.”

In the regular season, the Cavs averaged 13.5 made threes per contest, seventh-most in the league. So far in these playoffs, they are averaging only eight makes from downtown.&nbsp;

Although it’s not abnormal for the home team to win the first four games of a playoff series, the sheer gap in how both Orlando and Cleveland have played on their home floors is significant. Each game has been decided by at least 10 points and the average margin of victory in this series is 21.2.

Obviously, the Cavs can win this series without winning a game in Orlando. The Magic – whether it’s in Game 5 or, if necessary, Game 7 – will have to find a way to come up big on the road.

“We’re not satisfied at all,” Franz said. “We just got two wins. We need two more against them, so we’ve got to stay locked in and you know, hopefully get the next game in Cleveland.”&nbsp;

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Game 4: Franz Wagner and Jonathan Isaac

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Orlando Magic's Defense, Just Like the Regular Season, Has Been Elite in Playoffs

ORLANDO - It wasn’t too often during the regular season that the Orlando Magic trailed by nine points or more at halftime. It happened 16 times, and they went 3-13 in those contests.

That, however, was the position the Magic were in on Saturday afternoon at Kia Center in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. While many inexperienced playoff teams would have folded in that situation, not this Magic team.&nbsp;

Led by Franz Wagner, who finished with 34 points, Orlando erased a nine-point deficit at intermission to roll past the Cavs 112-89 and even up the series at 2-2.

“We got stops all second half,” Wagner said. “I thought in the second half we did a great job of taking care of the ball and eliminating their easy points in transition. I thought everybody was really locked in – everybody that came off the bench was really locked in in that second half. Great defensive effort.”

The Magic, down 60-51 at the break, outscored the Cavs by 27 in that tide-turning third quarter. In those 12 minutes, Cleveland scored just 10 points on 21.1 percent overall floor shooting.&nbsp;

Orlando, on the other hand, was scorching. In the third, it shot 59.1 percent overall and 60 percent from beyond the arc.&nbsp;

With Wagner scoring over 30 in this contest and Paolo Banchero scoring over 30 in Game 3, they are the first Magic duo since Penny Hardaway and Shaquille O’Neal in 1996 to each have 30-plus points in consecutive postseason games.&nbsp;

In Game 4, five Magic players finished in double figures in scoring, including Wagner, Jonathan Isaac (14), Jalen Suggs (12), Markelle Fultz (12) and Wendell Carter Jr. (11). Paolo Banchero had an off night for his standards, tallying nine points on 4-of-14 shooting.

Orlando’s defense continues to be superb. Cleveland has yet to reach 100 points this series and is shooting just 26.7 percent from 3-point distance.&nbsp;

The 29 points scored by the Cavs in the second half were tied for the fewest after halftime by an Orlando opponent in the postseason.&nbsp;

“Just sticking with it,” Isaac said. “You give us a two-and-a-half, three-minute stretch where we can play the defense that we are known to play, we can (build) the lead on any game. That’s a part of what makes us dangerous, and we were able to showcase that tonight.”

Jarrett Allen led the Cavs on Saturday with 21 points, while Donovan Mitchell scored 18 and Darius Garland and Evan Mobley each had 14.&nbsp;

Like Game 3, Orlando dominated on the glass. They out-rebounded Cleveland 43-29 and had eight offensive boards.&nbsp;

The home crowds – at both Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland and Kia Center in Orlando – have been electric and have played a huge factor in the outcome of the games.&nbsp;

Kia Center, specifically, has rapidly become one of the most difficult places to play for opponents. The Magic were 29-11 in the regular season in their home building. The Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks were the only two Eastern Conference teams in the regular season with more home victories than the Magic.&nbsp;

The scene now shifts back to Cleveland for Game 5 on Tuesday. Tipoff time is still TBD.

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Orlando Magic Take Control in Second Half to Even Up Series Against Cleveland Cavaliers

ORLANDO – The Orlando Magic have a script they would like to follow for Game 4 of their first-round series with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

If it were a Hollywood storyline, they would be more than happy if critics labeled it “repetitive” or simply "a carbon copy" of Game 3.

The Magic will attempt to deliver a repeat performance and even the series when they host the Cavaliers on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET.

“We know the performance that we had and how we played,” said Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley of Orlando’s success in Game 3. “But we also know how Cleveland is going to come out because of the score. It is just one game. We talked about protecting home court. So, our energy, effort, attitude, and our mindset walking into Game 4 has to be similar, if not more, for what (we want) to be able to do.”

The Magic are happy to once again have their home crowd behind them. A raucous Kia Center crowd played a pivotal role in helping ignite Orlando’s offense and give them momentum even after they missed their first nine shots of Game 3.

“Just the confidence that (the fans) give you after every bucket,” said Magic guard Jalen Suggs, who’s coming off a night where he went 9-for-11 from the field and posted 24 points. “You see everybody stand up, you hear everybody cheer (and) you hear the roars. I think it excites you to come back down, get a stop, (and) go do it again. It gives you a bit of extra motivation. Some juice. Some more pop in your step. So, it was definitely felt, and it was rocking in here (on Thursday). Boy, that was fun. We (were) talking about it all game – just how lit, how energetic it is in there, and yeah, I’d like to keep doing this here.”

The Magic’s 121-83 victory over the Cavs marked the third-largest triumph in franchise postseason history. It was also the largest defeat of all-time for Cleveland in the postseason. So, Orlando is well aware of what type of response it’s expecting from its opposition on Saturday afternoon.

“We have to come out and be the first one to throw the punch,” said Magic center Wendell Carter Jr., whose return to the starting lineup bolstered Orlando’s physicality on the glass on Thursday. “We did that in Game 3. Our biggest thing is winning first quarters.”

KEY STATS:&nbsp;Speaking of repeat performances, the Magic would not mind a re-run of Paolo Banchero’s act from Game 3.

With a 31-point, 14-rebound, and five-assist showing, Orlando’s All-Star forward became the first player in NBA history to have at least 30 points, 10 boards and five dimes in less than 30 minutes played.

And after giveaways plagued him in the first two contests of the series, Banchero became the youngest player in league history to put up 30-plus points and 10-plus rebounds and not record a single turnover.

“You’re just seeing a generational talent, man,” said Magic guard Markelle Fultz of Banchero’s performance. “It’s a young guy, who’s hungry to be great. He’s very humble, puts in the work, and honestly, just wants to do whatever he needs to do to help his team win. That’s the dopest part about it, man. He’s not out there chasing stats … (He’s) someone who is going to be great for a long, long time.”

QUOTE TO NOTE:&nbsp;“They played a huge role. I don’t think people realize how much of a difference it makes. When you make a play, or you score and the whole arena erupts every single time, it just gives you a huge energy boost and it makes you forget that you’re tired or whatever it may be. (I) definitely give a lot of credit to the Magic faithful.” – Banchero on the crowd at Kia Center

IN AND OUT:&nbsp;Orlando continues to have a clean bill of health entering Game 4.For Cleveland, Ty Jerome (right ankle; surgery), Craig Porter Jr. (left ankle; sprain), and Dean Wade (right knee; sprain) are out.

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Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: Game 4 Preview

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We appreciate your understanding and flexibility.

Due to Tropical Storm Nicole, the NBA has announced that the Dallas Mavericks at Orlando Magic game on Wednesday, November 9 will tip-off at 5:30 PM. Amway Center doors open at 4:30 PM.