The NBA playoffs continue on Friday, as the No. 5 seed Orlando Magic host the No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6 of the first round in the Eastern Conference.
The Cavaliers took a 3-2 series lead on Tuesday after pulling out a 104-103 victory at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The contest was tied 13 times and featured 17 lead changes, including 12 in the fourth quarter, making it the closest result in the series. The Cavaliers went ahead for good with just under two minutes to play.
Donovan Mitchell finished with a team-high 28 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter, and Darius Garland scored 23 points, five rebounds and five assists to lead the Cavaliers, who were without Jarrett Allen (rib). Mitchell has the third-most playoff games (28) with at least 25 points among players under the age of 27.
After failing to lead in Games 1 or 2, the Magic had their most competitive showing in the series on the road in Game 5. They dropped to 2-7 all-time in the playoffs in games decided by one point as it was the first such occurrence since Game 2 of the 2009 Eastern Conference semifinals against the Cavaliers (96-95).
Paolo Banchero produced a playoff-career-high 39 points, eight rebounds and four assists in Game 5, the most by a Magic player in the postseason since Dwight Howard had 46 points on April 16, 2011. He became the third-youngest player in history with multiple 30-point games in the playoffs (21 years, 170 days).
The Cavaliers have a 9-1 series record in the playoffs when leading 3-2. With a win on Friday, the Cavaliers would advance past the first round for the first time without LeBron James since the 1992-93 season.
How to Watch
Here is when you should tune in to watch the game:
- Date: May 3
- Time: 7 p.m. EDT
- Location: Orlando, Florida
- TV Channel: ESPN, Bally Sports Ohio, Bally Sports Florida
- Live Stream: Fubo (watch for free)
Betting Lines
- Point Spread: Magic -3.5
- Money Line: Cavaliers +145, Magic -175
- Over/Under: 200.5
Jersey Selections
Cavaliers at Magic Injury Report
Cleveland: Jarrett Allen (rib), Ty Jerome (ankle), Craig Porter Jr. (ankle) and Dean Wade (knee) are out.
Orlando: Gary Harris (hamstring) is out.
Note: Injury reports are subject to change.
Projected Starting Lineups
Cleveland Cavaliers:
- Max Strus
- Marcus Morris Sr.
- Evan Mobley
- Donovan Mitchell
- Darius Garland
Orlando Magic:
- Paolo Banchero
- Jonathan Isaac
- Wendell Carter Jr.
- Jalen Suggs
- Franz Wagner