2024 Playoffs Eastern Conference First Round: (4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs (5) Orlando Magic

[InstaFace]

NBA series preview: https://www.nba.com/news/2024-nba-playoffs-series-preview-cavaliers-magic

Game 1: Magic vs. Cavaliers; Saturday, April 20 (1 ET, ESPN)
Game 2: Magic vs. Cavaliers; Monday, April 22 (7 ET, NBA TV)
Game 3: Cavaliers vs. Magic; Thursday, April 25 (7 ET, NBA TV)
Game 4: Cavaliers vs. Magic; Saturday, April 27 (1 ET, TNT)
Game 5: Magic vs. Cavaliers; Tuesday, April 30 (TBD, TBD)*
Game 6: Cavaliers vs. Magic; Friday, May 3 (TBD, TBD)*
Game 7: Magic vs. Cavaliers; Sunday, May 5 (TBD, TBD)*

Betting odds: Cleveland -186, Orlando +165 (implied: Cleveland 63.3%)

Orlando fan podcast series preview:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsS5fJOx64k

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

I presume the only people watching this series or either working or playing for, or related to someone who works or plays for, either team - or people betting on the games - but if anyone does watch it, Jonathan Isaac has been said to be playing as good a defense as any player in the league.

Some interesting stats from this article: https://www.fearthesword.com/2024/4/18/24133374/orlando-magic-forward-jonathan-isaacs-defense-will-be-a-problem-for-cleveland-cavaliers

[Isaac's] skills show up in his impact numbers. Opponents are taking 3.8% fewer attempts at the rim when he’s on the court (95th percentile) and are shooting 3.2% worse when he’s on the floor (82nd percentile). Offenses are converting just 63.1% in the restricted area when he’s on the court (83rd percentile). This isn’t too surprising since Isaac has the highest block percentage in the league (3.9%).​

​

Neither the Cavs nor Magic were fully healthy in any of their four regular season meetings. The Magic won the two that Isaac played and lost the two he didn’t. The Cavs posted a 122.9 offensive rating when Isaac was off the floor and just a 92.1 when he was on this season. If you just look at the two games Isaac played, Cleveland’s offense was 23.9 points per 100 possessions better Isaac was on the bench.​

More (and video!) at the link.

 

[m0ckduck]

I presume the only people watching this series or either working or playing for, or related to someone who works or plays for, either team - or people betting on the games - but if anyone does watch it, Jonathan Isaac has been said to be playing as good a defense as any player in the league.

He is electric, my favorite non-Celtic player to watch in the NBA right now outside of Wemby. He and Wemby are the only two players where, even if you're just casually watching out of the corner of your eye, their sheer physical profile seems to rule out the possibility of someone being able to score on them. They're like human obstacle courses.

edit: the fact that Orlando seems to have elevated him to the starting lineup immediately makes this series 15% more watchable IMO

 

[InstaFace]

A lot of people will be watching Game 1 tomorrow, at least, for the simple fact that it's the first NBA playoff game.

 

[InstaFace]

A lot of people will be watching Game 1 tomorrow, at least, for the simple fact that it's the first NBA playoff game.

Or not. Maybe it's too nice a day outside.

Mitchell looking shifty in the early going.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

I’m watching, but only with one eye.

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

I was listening while doing other things. Sounds like ORL is having big troubles trying to score while CLE is getting just enough.

 

[Average Game James]

Orlando defense can really clamp down. Suggs is a really impressive defender.

 

[pjheff]

Suggs is a really impressive defender.

He might need to talk to Derrick White about hairlines.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

It got kind of close there for awhile.

 

[johnmd20]

Cavs can't hit a three if they had 40 chances and they are still up 12.

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

Cavs can't hit a three if they had 40 chances and they are still up 12.

CLE hit 1st 5 and then has gone 1-21. Good thing for CLE ORL is 6-31.

Wonder what's the worst 3P shooting series in NBA history.

 

[ManicCompression]

I am not worried about the Celtics second round opponent after watching this game.

 

[lovegtm]

Watching the Magic on offense is so brutal, and it gives you appreciation for the C's willingness to just fire away from 3.

Orlando keeps generating quality deep looks, but the guys they have out there aren't good enough and confident enough shooters, so they're constantly forced into crappy drives instead.

 

[Euclis20]

Suggs hyperextends his knee and has to be helped off the floor. Not that Cleveland is all that special, but Orlando could end up being a quick out if Mitchell continues to cook:

View: https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1782552070467240138

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Orlando’s entire defense becomes nonexistent when Suggs and Issac leave as Ingles and Fultz take the floor.

 

[PedroKsBambino]

Sucks about Suggs---he's a fun player to watch

 

[Cellar-Door]

Yeah this series is probably over

 

[Euclis20]

Orlando’s entire defense becomes nonexistent when Suggs and Issac leave as Ingles and Fultz take the floor.

God bless people who are bullish on Fultz. He can't shoot, can't stay healthy, isn't anything special as a defender or playmaker, and he's in year 7. Like once every two months he makes a special play that only a guy with his athleticism can pull off, and that's the only time anyone outside of Orlando remembers he's still in the league.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

God bless people who are bullish on Fultz. He can't shoot, can't stay healthy, isn't anything special as a defender or playmaker, and he's in year 7. Like once every two months he makes a special play that only a guy with his athleticism can pull off, and that's the only time anyone outside of Orlando remembers he's still in the league.

He really took a big step back this year. I can’t imagine he’s long for this league.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Jonathan Isaac with some next level JR Smith-like BBIQ right there lol.

 

[InstaFace]

Jonathan Isaac with some next level JR Smith-like BBIQ right there lol.

Got a clip, perchance?

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Got a clip, perchance?

He was in the paint as the Cavs shooter (Mitchell?) threw up a quick desperation catch and shoot as the shot clock buzzer sounded that was well short of going in and probably nicks front of rim if not an airball….Isaac then jumped up and casually snatched it from the air as 9-players heard the buzzer and stopped. After review they ruled the shot attempt beat the buzzer and ruled a goaltend.

 

[InstaFace]

He was in the paint as the Cavs shooter (Mitchell?) threw up a quick desperation catch and shoot as the shot clock buzzer sounded that was well short of going in and probably nicks front of rim if not an airball….Isaac then jumped up and casually snatched it from the air as 9-players heard the buzzer and stopped. After review they ruled the shot attempt beat the buzzer and ruled a goaltend.

Wow. Live by the KG-style "no free shots after the whistle", die by the "no free shots after the whistle".

Here it is:

https://www.nba.com/stats/events?CFID=&CFPARAMS=&GameEventID=326&GameID=0042300132&Season=2023-24&flag=1&title=Mitchell 21' Jump Shot (19 PTS)

 

[DeadlySplitter]

50-34 Magic. Whoever wins the C's - Miami series will get to the ECF easily.

 

[128]

50-34 Magic. Whoever wins the C's - Miami series will get to the ECF easily.

An awful lot of people thought the Miami series would be a breeze for the C's.

 

[JakeRae]

An awful lot of people thought the Miami series would be a breeze for the C's.

It still probably will be.

 

[Euclis20]

It still probably will be.

Oddsmakers still think that's the case. Currently -2500 for the Celtics to win the series, only OKC has better odds to advance (and only slightly, -3000).

 

[128]

It still probably will be.

When are things ever "easy" against the Heat? I have no doubt that many tense stretches remain for the C's in this series.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

When are things ever "easy" against the Heat? I have no doubt that many tense stretches remain for the C's in this series.

Ya know there always seems to be a correlation between the fanbase and the players approach. We see it all the time during the season. Hey, this is one of our big games I can wait to get home it's going to be great....and the Celtics take care of business. Random Wed night B2B in Orlando we forget there is even a game until after halftime and we are down 15. We get fired up for Sundays game, we take care of business. We except G2 to be easy and the players take the same approach. Honestly, it's almost uncanny how the fans sense of urgency mirrors that of the players. I think we all know G3 isn't going to be easy, at least most of us, and expect the players to approach the same knowing that they can't come back to Boston down 3-1.

 

[tims4wins]

Ya know there always seems to be a correlation between the fanbase and the players approach. We see it all the time during the season. Hey, this is one of our big games I can wait to get home it's going to be great....and the Celtics take care of business. Random Wed night B2B in Orlando we forget there is even a game until after halftime and we are down 15. We get fired up for Sundays game, we take care of business. We except G2 to be easy and the players take the same approach. Honestly, it's almost uncanny how the fans sense of urgency mirrors that of the players. I think we all know G3 isn't going to be easy, at least most of us, and expect the players to approach the same knowing that they can't come back to Boston down 3-1.

Lakers come to town, awesome, big game! Oh wait LBJ and AD aren't playing, who cares --> LOSS

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Lakers come to town, awesome, big game! Oh wait LBJ and AD aren't playing, who cares --> LOSS

Ah the correlation. It’s almost as if the players have human feelings and emotions too……nah.

 

[lovegtm]

Meanwhile, this series is getting spicier. Orlando hanging tough, not looking nearly as overmatched as in Cleveland.

 

[lovegtm]

Orlando's offense is just such tough money

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Garland and Suggs! That’s how you compete non-Russ style. Awesome game this is and we could have a classic series with a Magic win.

 

[johnmd20]

Magic having an insane performance thus far in the 3rd quarter. Just rainbows from every spot beyond the 3 point arc.

Cleveland can't hit the broadside of a barn. Cleveland was dominating and are down 8 now.

 

[johnmd20]

27-5 run now for Orlando.

 

[SteveF]

Nice little 37-10 quarter.

 

[InstaFace]

Nice little 37-10 quarter.

Jumpin Jesus on a pogo stick.

*Tunes in*

*watches the 4th*

 

[jablo1312]

I know no one wants to acknowledge this series is occuring, or if there is a single magic or cavs fan on here, but as a Celtics partisan I now have strong interest in this series going 7. Gun to head would prefer to play Orlando over Cleveland in the next round.

 

[dhellers]

I know no one wants to acknowledge this series is occuring, or if there is a single magic or cavs fan on here, but as a Celtics partisan I now have strong interest in this series going 7. Gun to head would prefer to play Orlando over Cleveland in the next round.

Both Orlando and Cleveland beat the celtics in embarrassing fashions this year. Not sure what that means?

I ponder that the Celts have more problems with young/energetic teams than with skilled teams (assuming both have the same overall "quality").
Which suggests Cleve would be a better matchup

 

[Euclis20]

I know no one wants to acknowledge this series is occuring, or if there is a single magic or cavs fan on here, but as a Celtics partisan I now have strong interest in this series going 7. Gun to head would prefer to play Orlando over Cleveland in the next round.

I'd probably prefer Orlando to Cleveland because the shotmaking of Garland/Mitchell gives them a slightly higher ceiling, but the Magic's defense is special. Jonathan Isaac looks like one of the very few players in the league that can bother Tatum without help, and we've seen how that can bog down the rest of the offense.

 

[lovegtm]

I'd probably prefer Orlando to Cleveland because the shotmaking of Garland/Mitchell gives them a slightly higher ceiling, but the Magic's defense is special. Jonathan Isaac looks like one of the very few players in the league that can bother Tatum without help, and we've seen how that can bog down the rest of the offense.

I feel better against going against Garland/Mitchell now that I've seen Jrue/DWhite/PP/Tatum execute a plan to stay in drop while pursuing like crazy over the top, and deny prior to that. It will keep Kornet pretty playable imo.

Herro isn't as good as Mitchell, but he does demand a lot of attention and is a big threat from 3, so it's a good warmup.

 

[jablo1312]

Both Orlando and Cleveland beat the celtics in embarrassing fashions this year. Not sure what that means?

I ponder that the Celts have more problems with young/energetic teams than with skilled teams (assuming both have the same overall "quality").
Which suggests Cleve would be a better matchup

Notable that Porzingis didn't play in that Black Friday game either.

Magic defense is legit but the offense can bog down extensively at times. Feels to me slightly preferable to going vs Mitchell Garland tho like euclis20 said, they have unever playoff histories but can absolutely each heat up and steal a game.

 

[jmcc5400]

I know no one wants to acknowledge this series is occuring, or if there is a single magic or cavs fan on here, but as a Celtics partisan I now have strong interest in this series going 7. Gun to head would prefer to play Orlando over Cleveland in the next round.

Just let it go 7 and we'll go from there.

 

[Cellar-Door]

I want it to go 7, but honestly I'd rather get CLE out of it. Their backcourt is downright non-competitive defensively, and the whole team has a tendency to quit when they get down, as seen in the last 2 games where ORL got up and the crumpled to embarrassing blowout losses.

 

[slamminsammya]

I want it to go 7, but honestly I'd rather get CLE out of it. Their backcourt is downright non-competitive defensively, and the whole team has a tendency to quit when they get down, as seen in the last 2 games where ORL got up and the crumpled to embarrassing blowout losses.

i can think of one game where they didn’t quit

 

[Cellar-Door]

CLE showing up at home. I could definitely live with each of these teams playing well at home and crap on the road, let's go the full 7.

 

[Cellar-Door]

Okay, it is the 4th quarter of a tight playoff game with the series tied and these guys are on the floor......
Marcus Morris
Joe Ingles
TRISTAN THOMPSON

In 2024.... 2024!!!

 

[TomRicardo]

Okay, it is the 4th quarter of a tight playoff game with the series tied and these guys are on the floor......
Marcus Morris
Joe Ingles
TRISTAN THOMPSON

In 2024.... 2024!!!

Wait Tristan Thompson is still alive? It usually ends poorly for ex Kardashians