CLEVELAND, OHIO- Courtesy of three-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell’s impressive performance, Cleveland (15-8, 3rd in East) easily defeated Orlando (5-18, 15th in East) 107-96. With the win, Cleveland has won seven of their past ten games, and Mitchell has been a major reason why. Over the Cavaliers’ last ten games, Mitchell is averaging 33.4 MPG, 25.4 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 3.5 APG, and 1.5 SPG while shooting 47.0% from the field, 43.5% from three-point range, and 90.4% from the free-throw line. Against Orlando, Mitchell continued his dominant play, recording a game-high 34 points, two rebounds, one assist on 12-21 (57.1%) shooting from the field and 7-11 (63.6%) from three-point range.
“This is no shot at my guys in Utah, but I’m having fun again and that goes a long way,” said Mitchell, acquired from the Jazz in a Sept. 3 trade. “This group has a bunch of guys who want to learn and who want to be great.
In addition to Mitchell, three other Cavaliers recorded double-digit points. First and foremost, 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year Runner-Up Evan Mobley notched 19 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks on 9-10 (90.0%) shooting from the field in 38 minutes. In reference to this, Mobley now has eight double-doubles in 23 games this year, and is tied with Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns and Washington’s Kristaps Porzingis for the 20th most double-doubles in the 2022-2023 season.
“My calm demeanor just comes naturally, so that’s how I play the game,” Mobley said. “Every time I step out here on the court, I try to get better and better.”
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) shoots against Orlando Magic guard Terrence Ross (31) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Likewise, 2021-2022 All-Star Guard Darius Garland enjoyed another solid outing, recording 18 points and a team-high six assists on 6-15 () shooting from the field and 2-6 (33.3%) shooting from three-point range in 37 minutes. Despite Lamar Stevens and Dean Wade starting for Cleveland, Caris Levert and Kevin Love made their presences felt off the bench. For Love, his eleven-point, eleven-rebound outing marks his fourth double-double of the season, while Okoro had a team-high two steals along with five points and four rebounds.
As throughout the 2022-2023 season, 2022 No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero has continued to produce excellent performances in his rookie season. Against Cleveland, Banchero recorded a team-high 22 points, five rebounds, and four assists while shooting 10-17 (58.8%) from the field in 38 minutes. Since returning from a sprained ankle, Banchero is averaging 35.6 MPG, 20.6 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 4.4 APG, and 0.8 SPG while shooting 37-77 (48.1%) from the field, 4-16 (25.0%) from three-point range, and 25-40 (62.5%) from the free-throw line.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, left, knocks the ball away from Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Outside of Banchero, four other players scored double-digit points for Orlando. In 38 minutes of play, 2021-2022 All-Rookie First Team Forward Franz Wagner recorded 16 points, two rebounds, and three assists on 6-17 (35.3%) shooting from the field and 2-4 (50.0%) from three-point range. In his first start of the season, Center Mortiz Wagner notched a season-high 16 points and nine rebounds on 7-12 (58.3%) shooting from the field.
“I just come to work with a smile and do my best,” Wagner said regarding his season-best performance on Friday. “We feel like we can be successful once we get all our guys back and healthy. It’s on us to keep pushing until that happens.”
Throughout the beginning of the 2022-2023 season, Orlando has dealt with a slew of injuries to their players, and has seen Guards Markelle Fultz and Cole Anthony miss noticeable time. In spite of this, both Fultz and Anthony both played in their second game since returning from injury, and played quite well. In 30 minutes, Fultz complied a well-rounded stat line of ten points, six rebounds, and six assists on 5-9 (55.5%) shooting from the field, while Anthony chipped in 19 points, six rebounds, three assists, and three steals off the bench.
Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz (20) passes the ball from between Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) and guard Darius Garland (10) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Although Fultz and Anthony were able to return from injuries, Orlando is now without Star Forward Wendell Carter Jr. and Guard Jalen Suggs, who are both tending to injuries. Due to a foot injury, Carter Jr. has been sidelined for eight games, while Suggs has sat the past four games out with a sore right ankle. Carter Jr and Fultz join Orlando’s extensive injury list consisting of Gary Harris (right hamstring strain), Mo Bamba (back spasms), Jonathan Isaac (left knee recovery), and Chuma Okeke (left knee soreness).
As a team, Orlando was quite efficient, going 40-81 (49.4%) from the field, 8-23 (34.8%) from three-point range, and 8-12 (66.7%) from the free-throw line. Likewise, Brooklyn shot 41-84 (48.8%) from the field, 16-42 (38.1%) from three-point range, and 9-9 (100.0%) from the free-throw line. Similarly, Orlando and Cleveland dealt well with turnovers and personal fouls. For reference, the Magic committed 18 turnovers and 13 personal fouls, while the Cavaliers committed 13 turnovers and 14 personal fouls.
Following their aforementioned loss to the Cavaliers in Cleveland, the Magic will travel to Scotiabank Arena to play the Toronto Raptors (11-11, 8th in East) on December 3rd at 8:00 PM ET. Meanwhile, Cleveland is set to face the New York Knicks (10-13, 11th in East) in Madison Square Garden on December 4th at 3:00 PM ET.
