Donovan Mitchell led the charge as the Cleveland Cavaliers (4-seed) secured a 97-83 victory over the Orlando Magic (5-seed) in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference playoff series.
In a dominant display, Mitchell showcased his offensive prowess by notching 30 points, providing a much-needed scoring boost for Cleveland. Alongside Mitchell, Jarrett Allen’s commanding presence on the boards with 18 rebounds proved crucial in securing the victory.
Allen also scored 16 points. Evan Mobley added another double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Cavs. Darius Garland contributed 14 points and eight assists.
Despite battling injuries during the regular season, Mitchell demonstrated his resilience and talent, reaffirming his status as a cornerstone of the Cavaliers’ lineup.
Orlando’s Paolo Banchero put up a valiant effort with 24 points, but the Magic struggled to find their rhythm against Cleveland’s stifling defense. The Cavaliers’ defensive intensity limited Orlando to just 33% shooting from the field.
Banchro received support from Franz Wagner, who notched 18 points and seven rebounds, while Jalen Suggs added 13 points.
