The Orlando Magic got off to a strong start in the decisive Game 7 of the first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers – but were ultimately knocked out of the playoffs. The Cavs, on the other hand, will take on the Boston Celtics in round two
The first of possibly many playoff adventures for the Wagner brothers has come to an end. In Game 7 of the 1st round against the Cavaliers, Orlando lost 94-106 and was forced to take an early vacation. However, it will probably take a while for Franz Wagner in particular to digest the playoff exit.
The 22-year-old Berlin native finished the game with just six points, hitting just one of his 15 attempts from the field (plus six rebounds and six assists). His older brother Moritz also did not perform as well as he usually does (three points, 1/2 from the field).
Strong start for Orlando – including an 18-point lead
The Wagner brothers were not the only ones with offensive problems, but more on that later. Things actually got off to a really good start from the Magic’s perspective. It was the Cavaliers who started the game extremely cold. The home side went more than five minutes without scoring a point in the first quarter, missing all of its first nine three-point attempts
In contrast, Paolo Banchero was in really good form for the Magic. He had already scored 24 points by half-time and Orlando pulled away to 18 points in the second quarter. Cleveland slowly recovered and at least reduced the deficit to ten points by half-time.
The game then turned completely in the third quarter. Orlando now had nothing going for it in offense, while Donovan Mitchell got into his stride at the other end. The guard scored 17 points in the third period alone and Cleveland took the lead. The visitors went into the final period 76:68 ahead
Orlando Magic: Only a good 25 percent shooting percentage in half two
But it was not to get any better from the Magic’s point of view. Apart from Banchero, hardly any of the visitors posed any real offensive threat, Cleveland pulled away by double digits and ultimately took the lead home unchallenged. Orlando was unable to muster a final surge.
Banchero finished the game with a strong 38 points, but did not receive enough support. Alongside Franz Wagner, Jalen Suggs also failed to find his rhythm (ten points, 2/13 from the field). Orlando hit just 25.6 percent of its shots in the entire second half. Cavs guard Mitchell scored a total of 39 points, while Evan Mobley collected a double-double with 11 points and 16 rebounds in the absence of injured center Jarrett Allen (rib contusion) and also made five blocks.
While the season is now over for the Wagner brothers and Orlando, the Cavaliers will face the Boston Celtics, the best team in the Eastern Conference in the regular season, in the second playoff round. The series starts on Wednesday night with Game 1 in Boston.