The first-round playoff series turned to Orlando and everything went wrong for Cleveland as the Cavs were crushed by the Magic in a 121-83 Game 3 loss.
The Cavs now lead the series 2-1. Game 4 will be Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. in Orlando. Game 5 will be Tuesday night in Cleveland.
The Cavs led wire to wire in both Games 1 and 2 but were demolished in Game 3, as the Magic were again a completely different team at home, just as they had been during the regular season.
The Magic were a mediocre 18-23 on the road this season but were 29-12 at home, giving them some of the most extreme home-away splits in the league. Their offensive and defensive ratings were also nearly 10 points better on both offense and defense at home.
That was all evident in Thursday’s Game 3, when Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs had their way with the Cavs defense.
Here’s how Game 3 unfolded through out live updates.
Magic beat Cavaliers in Game 3 121-83; Cavs lead series 2-1, Game 4 is Saturday
This one was an absolute demolition by the Magic. At one point in the fourth quarter, the Cavs trailed by 40 points. This was a playoff game in which everything went wrong.
This one was over a long, long time ago.
Cavs trail Magic 96-61 entering fourth quarter
It’s never good when an NBA playoff game enters garbage time, but that’s where the Cavs and Magic are right now.
The Cavs held the Magic to 86 or fewer points in both Games 1 and 2. The Magic are already at 96, and they’ve only played three quarters. After two wire-to-wire wins, the Cave have been run over tonight.
Paolo Banchero already has 31 points, 14 rebounds and four assists. He showed up for the first time in a big way. Jalen Suggs has also had a tremendous night, scoring 24 points an on 9-of-11 shooting. The Cavs haven’t had an answer for either of them.
Donovan Mitchell is just 6-of-16 from the floor for 13 points, and he’s had several shots fall short. Outside of a nice stretch just before the half, he’s looked off tonight. Darius Garland also has just five points on 2-of-8 shooting.
The Cavaliers are down 30 points to the Magic in Game 3
This is ugly for Cleveland. The Magic have opened up a 30-point deficit.
The Cavs led wire-to-wire in Games 1 and 2. Tonight? Everything has gone Orlando’s way on both ends of the floor, and the Cavs have looked more like they’re stuck in mud, spinning their tires.
It looks like there will at least be a Game 5, which would be Tuesday night in Cleveland.
The Cavs have just been dismantled tonight.
Magic, Cavs Game 3 score: Orlando cruising up 80-56 midway through third quarter
The Cavs knew they’d have a much tougher defensive test on the road than at home. They were right.
The Magic are rolling on the offensive end of the floor Paolo Banchero is just about scoring at all right now and has a game-high 26 points Franz Wagner has 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting. Jalen Suggs, who missed part of Game 2 with a knee injury, has looked terrific tonight and now has 19 points.
Magic lead Cavaliers 61-45 at halftime
The Cavs have dug themselves a serious hole in the first half of Game 3.
Donovan Mitchell might have saved any chance of Cleveland coming bac kin this one, as he not only scored seven consecutive points, but he drew the third foul on Banchero.
The Cavs are just 3-of-18 from 3-point range. Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley both have 10 points and have been efficient on the offensive end, so the interior hasn’t been the issue. But the Cavs simply haven’t been able to hit anything from the outside.
Banchero already has 19 points and seven rebounds.
Cavs trail by 20 points in Game 3 against Magic
The Cavs specifically had done a great job of slowing down Paolo Banchero in Games 1 and 2, but he’s imposing his will in Game 3. He has 19 points, and the Magic are firing on all cylinders tonight.
With 2:30 left in the first half, the Magic are leading 59-38.
Magic rolling Cavaliers; Orlando leads 50-34 midway through second quarter
The Magic seemed to have woken up.
Orlando looks like a completely different team than the one the Cavs shut down in Games 1 and 2.
Banchero already has 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists and finally looks like his All-Star-caliber self for the first time this series. Franz Wagner has 10 points, three rebounds and three assists. The Magic stars are doing their part.
The Cavs are ice cold from 3-point range, hitting just two of their first 16 attempts. Donovan Mitchell is just 1-for-5 from the floor, which includes a botched dunk attempt in which he lost control of the ball halfway up to the hoop. Max Strus has opened the game just 1-for-4 from the floor.
Cavaliers, Magic Game 3 score: Orlando leads Cleveland 31-21 after first quarter
The Magic have come out with a new type of energy this game, one that wasn’t there during Games 1 and 2 in Cleveland.
Orlando grabbed eight offensive rebounds and ended the first quarter on a 13-0 run.
The Cavs shot just 1-of-12 from 3-point range. And the Magic continue to be a completely different team at home than when on the road.
The Cavs are tired of talking about last year’s playoff series loss to the Knicks, which is understandable. But if they struggle to grab rebounds and shoot from beyond the arc, it’ll look awfully similar.
Magic lead Cavaliers for the first time in NBA playoffs opening round
The Magic finally hold the lead.
Paolo Banchero hit an off-balance jumper that he somehow got to fall and then nailed a 3-pointer to give the Magic a 16-14 lead with 5:30 to go in the first quarter.
For the first time this series, the Cavs will have to come back from a deficit.
Magic open Game 3 against Cavaliers ice cold from the field
The Magic offense looks to still be searching for any breathing room.
Orlando has opened Game 3 just 1-for-11 from the floor, which has opened the door for the Cavs to open up a 10-3 lead early on.
It also means the Cavs still have the chance to lead wire-to-wire through Game 3, though they know the Magic have been a much better team at home, which will offer a larger test for the Cleveland defense.
Below is some pregame information.
Dean Wade injury will keep him out of entire Orlando Magic series
The Cavs were hoping they might be able to see forward Dean Wade during this series, but that won’t be happening.
Wade has been ruled out for at least the remainder of the series with a right knee sprain that has kept him sidelined since March 13. A recent MRI revealed he’ll need more time before returning to the floor.
What time do the Cavs play tonight?
Game 3 is at 7 p.m. Thursday in Orlando. Game 4 also will be in Orlando, with a start time of 1 p.m. Saturday.
What channel is the Cleveland Cavaliers game on tonight?
The Cavs-Magic game is on Bally Sports Ohio in the Cleveland market. Outside the Cleveland market, the game is on NBA TV.
Cavs vs. Magic prediction
With the series shifting to Orlando, our Ryan Lewis and Nate Ulrich look for the Magic to bounce back on their home floor and win Game 3. For more on why they see the Cavs series lead being cut to 2-1, please read more here.
Looking back at the Cavaliers’ 97-83 win over the Orlando Magic in Game 1
Here is our coverage from Game 1:
Look back at the Cavaliers’ 96-86 win over the Orlando Magic in Game 2
Here is our coverage from Game 2:
