The Lead
Markelle Fultz recorded 23 points and eight assists, Wendell Carter Jr. posted 17 points and 12 rebounds, and Paolo Banchero scored 20, but despite a valiant effort, the Orlando Magic were officially eliminated from play-in tournament contention after falling 117-113 to the Cleveland Cavaliers at Amway Center.
Clutch Moments
After the Magic claimed a one-point lead with just under four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Cavs responded with seven unanswered points. Caris LeVert started the run with a 3-pointer and Donovan Mitchell, who finished with 43 points, followed with a pair of mid-range jumpers. Orlando missed seven of their final eight floor shots. Mitchell, acquired by Cleveland from Utah over the offseason, has now scored at least 40 in four straight games.
Key Stats
Although the Magic outscored the Cavs by 20 in the paint and had 10 more second chance points and nine more fast break points, the Cavs won the 3-point and free throw battle, making five more threes and five more free throws.
Injury Report
Admiral Schofield (right ankle sprain) and Jonathan Isaac (left adductor surgery) were out for Orlando. Isaac Okoro (left knee soreness) and Dylan Windler (left foot sprain) were unavailable for the Cavs.
In the News
As part of the Magic's continuing commitment to the Central Florida community, the team distributed grants totaling $1 million to 24 grantee organizations in Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties through the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation (OMYF) in a surprise ceremony on Tuesday afternoon at Amway Center. Over the past 33 years, more than $28 million has been distributed to local nonprofit community organizations through the OMYF.
Quote of the Day
“This is our home, and this is our community. We all live here. We all work here. We have been incredibly blessed to have dozens of employees that have been with this organization for over 25 years. This is truly their home. We care about it. It goes beyond just raising funds and distributing them. Our staff on an annual basis contributes tens of thousands of volunteer hours throughout Central Florida trying to make it a better place to live, work, and play. This is our home and it’s incredibly important to us.” – Magic CEO Alex Martins after Tuesday’s OMYF grant distribution event
This Day in History
Tuesday’s game wasn’t the first time the Magic hosted the Cavs on an April 4. In 2002, they squared off at the old TD Waterhouse Centre, winning behind a 35-point, 14-rebound and seven-assist performance from Tracy McGrady. Darrell Armstrong also filled up the stat sheet with 18 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists. Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Ricky Davis each scored 21 points for the Cavs.
Rivals Report
We know the Bucks, Celtics and 76ers are legitimate title contenders. But are the Cavs? That’s a highly debatable question going into the playoffs. Cleveland has one of the best starting lineups. They also have the league’s No. 1 defense. Let’s not forget, Boston had the NBA’s best defense last year and made the Finals. No matter your position on this, them against the Knicks in the first round will be a fantastic first-round series, if that matchup holds up.
Up Next
The rematch between the Magic and Cavs, which is also Orlando’s last home game of the season, will take place on Thursday at 7 p.m. This is the sixth and final time this year that the Magic will play the same opponent in the same city in consecutive games. In November, they played two straight against both the Pacers (in Indy) and Sixers (in Orlando). In December, they hosted the Raptors for two and visited the Celtics for two – winning all four of those games. Then on Jan. 30/Feb. 1, they split a pair in Philly.