Orlando Magic Looks Sharp in Win vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic is coming home with a perfect road trip after a 108-105 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday at RocketMortgage FieldHouse.
The game acted as a mini dress rehearsal for the Magic as Jamahl Mosley elected to play a traditional rotation through nearly three quarters.
The Magic was tied at the end of the first, but broke away in the second by outscoring the Cavs 32-20 and taking a 12-point lead into the locker room.
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) during the first half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
In the second half, the Magic held serve and prevented the Cavs from getting back into the game with consistent, smooth possessions. The Cavs bench players fought until the very end, pulling within three with less than a minute to go, but the Magic was able to hold them off.
For the Magic, Franz Wagner led the way with 18 points. Markelle Fultz was off to a strong start with 10 first-quarter points. He finished the game with 13. Joining them in double figures was Moe Wagner, who scored 14 off the bench.
For the Cavs, Darius Garland led all scorers with 19 points, while Donovan Mitchell struggled with nine points on 3 of 14 shooting.
The Magic can walk away from its road trip with heads held high as the team looks ready for the regular season opener in two weeks time against the Houston Rockets.
The Magic is back in action at home on Tuesday when the team hosts the New Orleans Pelicans. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
