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Cleveland Cavaliers vs Orlando Magic prediction: Who will win Game 2 in NBA playoffs
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- Cleveland Cavaliers vs Orlando Magic prediction: Who will win Game 2 in NBA playoffs
The Cleveland Cavaliers answered some questions with their Game 1 win Saturday over the Orlando Magic in the first round of the NBA playoffs. In winning 97-83 , the Cavs showed some toughness that was missing last year in a five-game opening-round loss to the Knicks .
But more needs to be done by the Cavs to prove they learned their lessons well in last year's playoffs. That means protecting home court again Monday night for Game 2 to take a 2-0 series lead.
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Here's how our two writers who've followed the Cavs all season, Ryan Lewis and Nate Ulrich, view Game 2 of the best-of-seven series.
Cavs vs. Magic prediction: Who wins Game 2 Monday night?
LEWIS:One would expect the Magic to shoot a little better than they did in Game 1, but Orlando's offense looked out of sorts to the point that the Cavs should be feeling good heading into Game 2. It wasn't that Cleveland played particularly well, but the Magic looked every bit like an inexperienced team going through its first playoff run together. One other key: Donovan Mitchell had his "bounce" back in Game 1. Cavaliers 105, Magic 99
Apr 20, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) defends a shot by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert (3) in the third quarter during game one of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
ULRICH: Fully expect the Magic to come out firing as they try to tie the series before it shifts to Orlando. The Cavs ought to be ready for it, though. They entered this postseason with 359 combined playoff games on their roster compared with the Magic's 91. The difference in experience showed Saturday during Cleveland's 97-83 win in Game 1.
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The best signs the Cavs are better equipped for the playoffs than they were a year ago (when the Knicks eliminated them in the opening round) are Cleveland refused to be intimidated and pushed around by Orlando in Game 1 and it prevailed 54-40 in the all-important rebounding battle. Cavaliers 105, Magic 101
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Cavs vs Magic prediction for Game 2 of NBA playoff series
