The Cleveland Cavaliers are enduring a cold slump during the first round of the NBA Playoffs. The Cavs lost Game 4 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal matchup against the Magic 112-89. Moreover, fans on social media are in mayhem after Cleveland’s lackluster second-half showing.
The Cavs amassed just 29 points in the second half after scoring 60 in the first. Orlando shut Cleveland down and put on a stout offensive clinic. Most notably, the Magic held the Cavs to a lowly 23.5 percent on three-pointers while nailing 46.2 percent of their own. The Cavaliers’ subpar showing has X users displaying a range of comedic reactions:
The Cavs needed more from their stars on Saturday. Donovan Mitchell finished the game with 18 points in 36 minutes, going 5 for 14 from the field and one for four on three-pointers. Similarly, Darius Garland amassed 14 points in 32 minutes. Cleveland’s bright spot was Jarrett Allen, who ended the game with 21 points and nine rebounds.
One X user went as far as saying Allen is the only one showing a competitive fire to avenge the Cavs’ 2023 postseason letdown:
Allen has certainly been big a factor in the Cavaliers’ success; however, the team as a whole needs to tighten things up on both sides of the ball to get out of their slump.
Orlando’s Game 4 attack was led by Franz Wagner. Wagner scored a team-high 34 points and 13 rebounds. In addition, the Magic had four other players score in the double digits, with Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Issacc being part of the equation off the bench.
The Magic erupted in Games 3 and 4 after losing the first two games of the series. The Cavaliers need to find a way to regain the edge they had early on to bounce back and get to the second round. Luckily, Donovan Mitchell understands the urgency needed to perform.
Cavs look to bounce back and regain series lead on Magic
If there is one thing Donovan Mitchell is hungry for, it is playoff success. Despite his cold showing during the last two games, he is determined to put his best effort forward and help the team improve. He took accountability after the Cavs’ Game 3 loss and noted his need to be better.
“We knew they were going to come out with a punch but we’ve got to find a way to score and it starts with me,” Mitchell said after the game, per the AP. “You don’t get two wins for winning by more than 20, so you’ve got to keep it in that perspective.”
Mitchell scored 13 points in Game 3, and his Game 4 18-point-outing was an improvement. Nevertheless, the Cavaliers need more from him. Mitchell is capable of scoring 30 points or more on a given night. Perhaps he can get going more if Cleveland’s role players provide more of an offensive spark.
Max Strus is one of the Cavs’ go-to sharpshooters. He only scored seven points on Saturday. Cleveland needs him to make Orlando pay when they put extra pressure on Mitchell. Strus making more three-pointers will open up the floor and help Mitchell get better offensive looks.
All in all, Cleveland is going through a tough time, but with the right adjustments they can keep their NBA Playoffs aspirations alive.
