The 2023–24 NBA Playoffs are in full swing, and the action continues on Monday night with Game 2 of the first-round series between the Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavaliers won the opener, 97-83, and are favored by 5.5 points in Game 2.
The Magic finished with the fifth-best record in the Eastern Conference, but they have struggled in the playoffs, going 1-5 in their last six outings. In Game 1, Paolo Banchero led the team with 24 points, but he also committed a team-high nine turnovers. Franz Wagner added 18 points, and Jalen Suggs chipped in with 13.
The Cavaliers, on the other hand, have looked like a different team in the playoffs than they did in the regular season. They have won two of their first three games, and Donovan Mitchell has been sensational, averaging 30.0 points per game. In Game 1, Mitchell scored 30 points and added 7 rebounds and 6 assists.
The Magic will need to find a way to limit Mitchell if they want to avoid falling behind 0-2 in the series. They will also need to be more efficient on offense. In Game 1, they shot just 32.6 percent from the field and 21.6 percent from beyond the arc.
The Cavaliers will be looking to build on their Game 1 victory and take a commanding 2-0 lead in the series. They will need to continue to play solid defense and get another big game from Mitchell.
The game will tip off at 7:00 PM ET on Monday night at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland. It will be televised on Bally Sports.
