Franz and Moritz Wagner have tied the series against the Cleveland Cavaliers with the Orlando Magic at 2-2 after a furious performance after the break. Things are looking even better for OKC
The Orlando Magic have also won their second home game in the series against the Cleveland Cavaliers – and by a clear margin after initially trailing. The young team from Florida pulled the teeth out of the visitors from Ohio with 112:89 and cut the deficit to 2:2. The home side allowed the Cavs a total of 29 points after the break. Four wins are needed to survive the conference quarter-finals
The man of the match on Saturday at the Kia Center was Franz Wagner. The world champion pulled the strings and emerged as the match winner with 34 points and 13 rebounds. The Berlin native made 13 out of 17 shots from the floor and was by far the Magic’s top scorer in the end, for whom Paolo Banchero (9, 4/14 FG) fell short of his potential. Moritz Wagner made pinpricks at both ends of the court in his spells on court and ended up with seven points and four boards after 15 minutes.
After two away defeats, two deserved and clear home victories for the Magic. Game five, on Wednesday night (1 a.m. CEST) and then again in Cleveland, will be an eminently important one. The Cavaliers, for whom Jarrett Allen scored 21 points, must improve. Only four of 17 threes made in game four speak for themselves against the visitors, who were unable to get a foothold in Orlando, especially after the half-time break.
OKC still one win away
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 24 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 106-85 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. OKC is now 3-0 up in the series and only needs one more win. Jalen Williams and Josh Giddey were not far behind “SGA” (21 points each). The Thunder, the top seed in the West, hit 17 of their 36 threes (47 percent). The Pelicans, who once again had to do without their powerful star forward Zion Williamson (thigh), now want to prevent a sweep in game four on Tuesday night. No team in NBA history has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit