Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: Game 6 Preview

Pregame Report from AdventHealth Coaching Middle

 ORLANDO – All through the whole lot of their 2023-24 marketing campaign, the Orlando Magic have been distinctive on their dwelling ground.

The Magic completed the common season with the third-best dwelling report within the Japanese Convention and had been an ideal 17-0 in opposition to sub-.500 competitors at Kia Middle.

That success has translated to the postseason. Whereas Orlando has but to report a highway victory in its first-round playoff collection with the Cleveland Cavaliers, it is dominated on its dwelling ground. The Magic have gained their two video games in Orlando by a mean of 30.5 factors per contest.

The Magic (2-3) will try to increase their best-of-seven collection with the Cavaliers (3-2) by persevering with to prepare dinner on their dwelling ground when the 2 groups face off for Recreation 6 on Friday at 7 p.m. ET.

“The followers have been nice; they have been nice all season, not simply within the playoffs,” mentioned Magic guard Cole Anthony. “They’ve turned it as much as one other degree within the playoffs. It’s at all times nice taking part in in entrance of the house crowd. They make it enjoyable for us.”

Orlando got here extraordinarily near pulling off the primary highway victory of the collection, however fell simply brief in Cleveland with a 104-103 Recreation 5 defeat. Because of this, the Magic spent their follow session on Thursday detailing their protection and dealing on the circulate of their offense as they give the impression of being to stave off elimination in Recreation 6 and drive a winner-take-all Recreation 7.

“It’s a must to go take it,” mentioned Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley. “We talked about that (idea) in our movie session. No sport has been the identical. Understanding that Recreation 6 goes to be completely different than Recreation 5. Recreation 6 goes to be completely different than Video games 3 and 4 at dwelling. Simply since you’re at dwelling doesn’t imply which you could play the very same method you probably did then. It’s a must to change a bit little bit of the vitality (and) the hassle. All of these little issues are going to matter. It’s going to be a unique kind of sport, and now we have to have the ability to modify to that as we go.”

The Magic hope to proceed to get a lift from their star-studded combo of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. Over the course of the final three contests, the Magic have acquired a 30-plus-point efficiency from not less than one among their two budding younger franchise cornerstones.

“We had been proper there (in Recreation 5),” mentioned Banchero. “(Now), we wish to handle dwelling court docket. If we wish to win and transfer on, we’re going to should win (in Cleveland). I believe all people is aware of that and all people is happy for that problem. But it surely begins on Friday; now we have to win on Friday.”

If tendencies proceed, the Magic’s function gamers ought to be capable to give Orlando a greater enhance in Recreation 6. At dwelling, the Magic’s reserves are posting 44.5 factors per outing whereas capturing 52.2 p.c from the ground and 40 p.c from deep. On the highway, these numbers dip to 23.0 factors per contest, whereas capturing 35.4 p.c from the sphere and 22.2 p.c from 3-point vary.

KEY STATS: Since he’s entered the league, Banchero has put up historic numbers. That pattern has carried over into the postseason. After posting 31 factors in Recreation 3 and 39 in Recreation 5, Banchero turned the third-youngest participant in NBA historical past to report a number of 30-plus-point video games, behind solely Anthony Edwards and LeBron James.

QUOTE TO NOTE: “It’s a do-or-die state of affairs. I believe we’re going to have that sense of urgency as quickly as we step on that court docket. I believe we’re all enthusiastic about this sport.” – Anthony

IN AND OUT: Gary Harris (proper hamstring; pressure) went by way of the stroll by way of portion of Thursday’s follow, however stays a game-time choice for Orlando.

For Cleveland, Jarrett Allen (proper rib; contusion) is questionable, whereas Ty Jerome (proper ankle; surgical procedure), Craig Porter Jr. (left ankle; sprain), and Dean Wade (proper knee; sprain) are out.