Donovan Mitchell led the Cleveland Cavaliers to a narrow 104-103 victory over the Orlando Magic in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference series. Evan Mobley’s crucial block on Franz Wagner in the final seconds secured the win for the Cavs, who now hold a 3-2 lead in the series. Despite being challenged by the Magic, the Cavaliers regrouped and pulled out the win in front of their home crowd at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mitchell scored 28 points in the game, while Mobley contributed 14 points and 13 rebounds. The victory puts the Cavaliers in position to advance with a win in Game 6 in Orlando.
Orlando’s Paolo Banchero put on an impressive performance, scoring 39 points and nearly carrying his team to a road win. Playing in just his fifth postseason game, the young star showed poise and skill, scoring 16 points in the fourth quarter alone. However, his efforts were not enough to overcome the Cavaliers’ strong defense and resilient offense led by Mitchell, Mobley, and Max Strus, who scored 16 points in a standout performance. With a win in Game 6, the Cavaliers can close out the series and move on to the next round, while the Magic are fighting to keep their season alive and force a Game 7 in Cleveland.
The Cavaliers faced adversity with starting center Jarrett Allen sidelined due to a bruised rib. However, the team rallied behind their remaining players, including Strus, Marcus Morris Sr., and Isaac Okoro. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff made adjustments to the lineup in Allen’s absence, giving opportunities to more bench players like Sam Merrill and Tristan Thompson. Darius Garland also stepped up for the Cavaliers, scoring 17 points in the first quarter to help his team establish an early lead. Despite the challenges, Cleveland managed to hold off Orlando’s comeback attempts and secure the crucial victory.
The Magic, who had won big at home to tie the series after falling behind 2-0, once again showed resilience on the road. Banchero’s standout performance and the team’s overall effort put pressure on the Cavaliers, but ultimately, they fell just short of a road win. The Magic will need to regroup and win Game 6 to stay alive in the series and force a deciding Game 7. With their strong home record during the regular season, the Magic will look to draw on that success and extend the series against the Cavaliers.
Mitchell, who had been dealing with a left knee injury, came up big in the fourth quarter for the Cavaliers, scoring 14 points and making critical plays down the stretch. His leadership, along with the contributions of his teammates, helped the Cavaliers withstand the Magic’s late-game push and secure the victory. The series has been a back-and-forth battle between the two teams, with momentum shifting with each game. Both teams will need to bring their best in Game 6 as they fight for a spot in the next round of the playoffs. Overall, the Game 5 thriller showcased the talent and determination of both teams as they continue to compete in a high-stakes playoff series.
