Magic Reveals Plan to Defend Cavaliers Star Donovan Mitchell

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell led the way with 30 points in their win against the Orlando Magic to start the 2024 NBA Playoffs.

Jeremy Brener | Apr 20, 2024

Apr 20, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) dribbles between / David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

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CLEVELAND — The Orlando Magic are looking to make adjustments after their 97-83 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.

One of the things the Magic can do to improve is find an answer for Cavaliers shooting guard Donovan Mitchell, who scored a game-high 30 points on 11 of 21 shooting in the win. But second-year pro Paolo Banchero believes he has part of the formula.

"I think just trying to speed him up, pick him up full court, make him exert energy as much as as much as you can," Banchero said postgame. "But he's an experienced All-Star level player who's been in a lot of playoff environments so he's not easy to fluster. You got to just do what you can."

Mitchell gets his fair share of looks, and that's a big reason why the Magic couldn't pull out a win. Mitchell's experience in the postseason certainly makes him and the Cavaliers more dangerous, especially because that's an area the Magic don't have much expertise with.

If the Magic can find ways to contain Mitchell and limit him, they will have a chance to fight back in the series.

Game 2 between the Magic and Cavs is set for 7 p.m. ET on Monday.

Related stories on the Orlando Magic

PAOLO BECOMING A SUPERSTAR: Reigning Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero is making his NBA Playoffs debut in just his second season. A win in his first playoff series could accelerate his path towards superstardom. CLICK HERE

GAME 1 RECAP: The Orlando Magic lost Game 1 of the series after their worst shooting performance as a team this season. CLICK HERE

CHIPPY GAME 1: The Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers each got physical during Game 1 of the playoffs. CLICK HERE

MOSE TALKS DEFENSE: Orlando Magic coach Jamahl Mosley praised the Cleveland Cavaliers defense after Game 1. CLICK HERE

PAOLO LOOKING FORWARD TO PLAYOFFS: Orlando Magic All-Star Paolo Banchero led his team to the playoffs in just his second season after being the No. 1 overall pick. CLICK HERE

Published Apr 20, 2024|Modified Apr 20, 2024

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.