Cavs vs Magic Game 1 Recap: NBA Playoffs 2024 (April 20)

Recap: The Cleveland Cavaliers dominated the glass in impressive fashion in Game 1’s win over the Orlando Magic.

Here’s our ‘old school’ eye test based analysis of key players & factors.

• Evan Mobley was a threat from downtown early, perfect stretch 4 play. Mobley made 2 uncontested threes to build the Cavs initial double point lead in the first quarter.

LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 07: Cleveland Cavaliers Forward Evan Mobley (4) looks on during a NBA game between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Clippers on November 7, 2022 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire)

• Moritz “Mo” Wagner was really getting under the skin of both the Cavs’ roster and fans. He acted as bit of an enforcer in Game 1 and while the stats don’t show it (10 and 5 boards), Wagner should get more minutes (Just 13 this game).

• Donovan Mitchell looked every bit as advertised (30 pts) with clutch threes and general playoff demeanor. Meanwhile, Franz Wagner scored 18 points but his impact felt quiet and understated. Almost a complete anthesis to Paolo Banchero’s playoff ready demeanor on the floor.

CHICAGO, IL – NOVEMBER 15: Paolo Banchero (5) of the Orlando Magic looks on against the Chicago Bulls during the second half at the United Center on November 15, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire)

• The Magic’s defense looks much better with Jonathan Isaac out on the floor and he can stretch the floor from the three point line. Isaac’s play led to a couple of steals and uncredited turnovers. But Isaac isn’t grabbing double digit boards out there (5) and he looks capable of it. For that matter, Joe Ingles looks like a giant out there practically and just had 4 boards.

All that said, Isaac impressed after years of fighting injury issues. You can see the potential. The Magic also seemed to play somewhat worse defensively with Wendell Carter Jr. in place of Isaac.

• Rebounds were the story of Game 1, Jarrett Allen alone took down 18 boards with Mobley grabbing 11 of his own, and Max Straus even had 9. The Cavs had 54 boards to the Magic’s 40 overall. If the Magic cannot close the gap on the boards, they will lose this series.

• The stats might not show it (14 and 8 assists) but Darius Garland moved really well in Game 1, he seems to be getting over a temporary slump at the end of the regular season. Look for him to only improve from here on out as he adjusts to playing with Mitchell again.

• Max Strus plays with passion and intensity but he needs to calm down a bit with the rough passing. The hard bounce passes seem to catch others off guard and lead to turnovers.

• Paolo Banchero had a solid game for the Magic and played without fear. But if the rest of the squad can’t get it going, he needs to go into full scoring mode. 24 Points isn’t going to cut it, Paolo needs to dominate and average 30 to get the Magic over the line.

• Jalen Suggs leads to steals, intense fast breaks off turnovers, and free throws. If he can get his shot under control and drive more, he might turn around this series.

• Meanwhile, Cole Anthony’s impact has been greatly diminished to end the regular season and it continues here, 11 minutes 0 for 7. More than that, he was acting purely as a catch and shoot player in Game 1 and did not break down the defense by penetrating. Markelle Fultz similarly had no impact outside of a flagrent 1 foul on Georges Niang.

• Caris LeVert is the X-factor for the Cavaliers to advance for an extended playoff run but he was relatively quiet (5 points) until the third quarter. LeVert is much better being the primary ball handler, particularly his chemistry passing the ball down low to Allen for easy buckets.

Since Mitchell acted as the primary ball handler in Game 1 whenever Garland was on the bench, LeVert wasn’t fully utilized but the Cavs took the win handily nonetheless. LeVert’s minutes were also down this game with 19.

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