The Cleveland Cavaliers are preparing for an intense NBA Playoffs matchup against the Orlando Magic. The Cavs earned the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference and look to finally get over the hump with a deep run. Donovan Mitchell and company are under increased pressure, as one NBA analyst noted.
Everything is on the line for the Cavs against the Magic
ESPN’s Zach Lowe emphasized that the Cavs must win their upcoming series to avoid major shifts on the team.
“The Cavs, it’s a must-win [vs Orlando]. You lose this series, there’s gonna be changes in the organization,” Lowe said via The Lowe Post podcast.
Cleveland is on the rise after making the NBA Playoffs for a second straight year. Before 2023, the Cavs missed the playoffs for four consecutive years. Nevertheless, the franchise has high aspirations. Cleveland wants to win big, especially given the talent on their roster.
All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell leads the Cavs’ attack. Mitchell averaged 26.6 points and career-highs of 6.1 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.8 steals through 55 games in 2023-24. Unfortunately, injury woes have slightly limited his action, but he hopes to be ready for the Cavs-Magic series.
Mitchell is Cleveland’s ultimate weapon, but their other contributors are also highly touted.
Cleveland boasts fifth-year guard Darius Garland in the other backcourt spot. Like Mitchell, Garland faced tough injury woes during the regular season, but his offensive abilities are game-changing. The 24-year-old averaged 18.0 points and 6.5 assists per game.
Moreover, former All-Star center Jarrett Allen headlines the Cavs’ frontcourt. Allen is an interior force and tremendously impacts both sides of the ball. He amassed a career-high 16.5 points along with 19.5 rebounds per contest in 2023-24. Of course, Allen will have help from Evan Mobley, who looks to make his presence felt similarly.
The Cavs’ supporting cast will be vital in their postseason aspirations, but the elephant in the room still needs to be addressed.
The Cavs’ 2024 playoff run could determine Donovan Mitchell’s future
Donovan Mitchell is rumored to decline a contract extension during the offseason, which could open more options for him elsewhere. However, if the Cavs make a deep run, he might be inclined to stay. Thankfully, Mitchell is going into the postseason focused on the task at hand.
Mitchell’s playoff mindset will fire Cavs fans up.
“It definitely is something that fuels me. This is what I want to be. This is why I work hard. I take the scrutiny. I take the praise. But in order for me to be considered one of the best to play this game, I’ve got to do something when it matters most. Individual performances are great. But team success has to come with it. That’s where I’m at in my career,” Mitchell told Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.
The star guard’s priority is winning, and if the Cavs win, he and the city of Cleveland will be happy. It will not be easy to overcome the hungry Orlando Magic, but the Cavs have everything necessary to succeed.