In the first two games of their series, the Orlando Magic never led in those blowout losses over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
On Friday, Orlando finally got the upper hand with six-and-a-half minutes into Game 3, and went swinging the rest of the way in front of a raucous home crowd.
Paolo Banchero sizzled with 31 points in just three quarters, and the Magic racked up their first playoff win in four years thanks to a 121-83 romp of the Cavaliers Game 3 to cut Cleveland's lead to 2-1 in their Eastern Conference first-round series.
The @OrlandoMagic DOMINATE in Game 3 🪄🔥
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 26, 2024
Paolo: 31 PTS | 14 REB | 5 AST
Suggs: 24 PTS | 4 REB | 3 AST
Franz: 16 PTS | 5 REB | 8 AST pic.twitter.com/u3SPqkT0e9
Banchero added a playoff career-high 14 rebounds, along with four assists in a sensational scoring masterclass for Orlando, who handed Cleveland its worst playoff loss in franchise history.
The former Rookie of the Year did not play in the fourth en route to becoming the youngest player in Magic history with a 30-point playoff game.
Jalen Suggs came up big also with 24 points on a ultra-efficient 9-of-11 shooting while Franz Wagner added an all around game of 16 markers, eight boards, and five dimes.Paolo with the SMOOTH step back... up to 29 points now 🔥
— NBA (@NBA) April 26, 2024
Orlando leads in Game 3 on NBA TV pic.twitter.com/EH2YgpWN7g
JALEN SUGGS WINDMILL pic.twitter.com/zctc5zkxaT
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) April 26, 2024
After struggling shooting in their first two games, the Magic finally got their offensive groove, going on 51 percent clip from the field and knocking down 13 triples.
The Magic launched a riveting 13-0 run to close out the opening frame to turn a 21-18 disadvantage to a 31-21 lead.
Cole Anthony caps a 13-0 Magic run to end the 1st and take a 10-point lead!
— NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2024
CLE-ORL on NBA TV pic.twitter.com/ve7VRyWVVb
From that point on, Orlando outscored Cleveland, 90-62 in the final three quarters for a much-needed win.
Meanwhile, Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert topscored the Cavaliers with 15 points, Donovan Mitchell added 13 and Evan Mobley had 10.
Mitchell, the dominant scorer in the first two games of the series, had one field goal until hitting a 3-pointer with 2:15 left in the half. It was his only triple of the game.
In their first postseason visit in Orlando since the 2009 Conference Finals, the Cavaliers went misfiring all-game long, shooting a horrid 39 percent, including a dismal 8-of-34 beyond the arc.
Cleveland got outrebounded, 52-42, committed 14 turnovers, and lost for the first time this series despite not scoring 100+ points.
Game 4 of the series is on Sunday, April 28 (PH time).
