Cleveland Cavaliers ward off the Orlando Magic for second straight win

Cleveland Cavaliers continue to improve on stellar home court record

The Cleveland Cavaliers make it to two consecutive wins after holding off an undermanned Orlando Magic team at home, 107-96. With another victory, the Cavs have now won 10 of their 11 games at the consistently sold-out Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse thus far in the season.

After a competitive first half, Cleveland ramped it up on both ends of the floor during the third period, turning a seven-point halftime advantage to as much as 20 at one point by suffocating the Magic to score just 17 in the quarter. Orlando was able to cut it back to single digits with two and a half minutes remaining in the game before the hosts were able to shut the door completely.

Cavaliers superstar Donovan Mitchell led all scorers in the game with 34 points while rising star Even Mobley continued his imposing play of late with a double-double of 19 points and 13 rebounds, all on top of four assists and two blocked shots.

Orlando’s own young core saw five Magic players in double-figures, led by super rookie Paolo Banchero’s 22 markers. Cole Anthony added 19 in his return, while brothers Mo and Franz Wagner each had 16 in the loss.

The Cavs were glad to welcome back key players

While the Magic missed a handful of key players such as Jalen Suggs, Wendell Carter Jr., and Mo Bamba, the Cavaliers were glad to return to nearly full strength. Apart from starting center Jarrett Allen (back), most of the opening night lineup had been reactivated.

Joining Dean Wade back in the lineup after recovering from various injuries and illnesses are Kevin Love and Lamar Stevens, reinforcing the bench depth and allowing key players to take more minutes on the bench. However, Wade suffered another injury in the second quarter and was held back for the night.

Love had an 11 and 11 double-double in his first game back to supplement the bench scoring and played heavier minutes with Wade out. Caris LeVert, who had an hot-shooting night against the Sixers, was grounded was again to finish with just five points.

Fortunately, Cleveland’s defense once again came through to help preserve their nearly pristine record in their building thus far, extending the distinction of the best home start since the 2016-17 team that reached the NBA Finals.

The revitalized Cleveland Cavaliers team, now up to 15-8 and holding firm at solo third in the Eastern Conference, will look to continue the streak as they go on the road to visit the New York Knicks on December 4.