Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images
The Orlando Magic have forced a Game 7 against the Cleveland Cavaliers after a 103-96 win on Friday.
The Cavs had the chance to put the series to rest and move on to the second round, but they didn’t have enough to get past the Magic despite a 50-point performance from Donovan Mitchell.
Unfortunately for Cleveland, Mitchell was the only bright spot in the loss. The Cavs shot an abysmal 7-of-28 from deep and were completely stagnant on offense outside of Mitchell’s play.
Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs led the way for Orlando, with each notching 20+ points in the win.
After the loss, fans ripped the Cavaliers for wasting such an outstanding performance from Mitchell:
Now the game will be decided in a winner-takes-all Game 7 in Cleveland. The Cavs would have liked to close things out on Friday, but the Magic had other plans.
In Orlando’s first playoff series 2020, it has fared well behind its young core. The fourth-youngest team in the NBA has risen to the occasion and now has the chance to advance to the second round for the first time since 2010.
For the Cavs, they are looking to make it to the second round for the first time in the post-LeBron James era. To do so, the supporting cast will need to step up and help Mitchell more in Game 7.
