Magic Disrupting Cavs’ Shots
Of the 163 shots Cleveland has taken so far this series, 110 have been heavily contested, per Second Spectrum. That’s 67.5 percent of the Cavs’ shots, five percent higher than Orlando’s regular season average. Cleveland has made just 32.7 percent of those attempts, the second-lowest mark in the playoffs. From 3-point range, specifically, the Cavs are 9-of-44 (20.5 percent) when the attempt has been heavily contested.
Magic Getting to the Stripe
A bright spot for the Magic’s offense has been their willingness to take contact. They are averaging 28.0 free throw attempts this series, second most in the playoffs. This is a carry-over from the regular season, when they averaged a league-most 24.4 foul shots per contest. But also like the regular season, they have struggled to shoot a good percentage from the stripe, only making 67.9 percent of their 56 attempts so far this series.
Forcing Turnovers Also a Strength
In the regular season, opponents of the Magic averaged 15.0 turnovers, third most in the league. This series, the Cavs are averaging 16.5 of them, second most in the playoffs. Orlando has totaled 33 points off those Cleveland turnovers. The Cavs, ironically enough, have the same number of points off turnovers.
Magic Making Hustle Plays
Although shots aren’t falling, that hasn’t had an adverse effect on the Magic’s effort. So far this series, they have totaled 35 deflections, recovered 14 loose balls, and have drawn two charges. Those are all top-five marks in early stages of the postseason.
Cavs Forcing Magic Into Deeper Shots
The Magic’s average shot distance through the first two games of this playoff series against the Cavs is 15.1 feet out. In the regular season, it was 13.5 feet. Moreover, in Games 1 and 2 combined, they averaged 18.0 shot attempts in the restricted semi-circle, 6.3 fewer than their regular season mark. They are also averaging 36.0 3-point attempts this series, nearly five more than in the regular season.
Evan Mobley’s Defense Causing Issues
The 6-foot-11 Mobley has been the closest defender to a series-most 41 shots thus far. The Magic have only made 15 of them (36.6 percent). In Games 1 and 2 combined, Paolo Banchero shot 3-of-10 from the field with Mobley as the nearest defender. Against every other Cavs defender, the Magic All-Star is 15-of-27 (55.6 percent).
Corner 3-Point Shooting a Struggle for Both Teams
Normally, the corners are where teams want to take as many of their threes as possible. While it has had plenty of good looks from there, Orlando has struggled knocking them down. The Magic so far this series are 6-of-28 from the 3-point corners (21.4 percent). They are averaging nearly 15 of them per 100 possessions, which ranks No. 1 in the postseason. Cleveland has been even worse, so far going a playoff-worst 2-of-16 (12.5 percent) from the 3-point corners.
Rebounding Edge So Far Favoring Cavs
Jarrett Allen and Mobley have been relentless on the glass this series. Together, they are averaging 28 of Cleveland’s 51 rebounds. Several of those boards have come on the offensive side, where the Cavs are averaging 12.0 second chance points. In the regular season, opponents averaged a league-low 8.9 offensive rebounds against the Magic.