After splitting the first four games and trading blowout victories at home, the Cleveland-Orlando series finally got a close outing for Game 5 Wednesday (PHL).
The Cavaliers survived for a 104-103 win in Game 5, taking a pivotal 3-2 series lead back to Orlando.
In a game that featured 13 ties and 17 lead changes, the Cavaliers held strong at home, positioning themselves for their first playoff series win without LeBron James since 1993.
4 WITH THE SLAM. 💥@evanmobley | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/QRKVyeEwtr
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 1, 2024
Down one after Paolo Banchero put the Magic up 98-97 with two minutes to go, Evan Mobley scored four points in the differential 5-0 run for Cleveland, first a dunk to regain the lead and then a layup to make it a four-point spread with 41 seconds left.
Franz Wagner gave Orlando another chance, cutting the deficit to two with 30 seconds to go, but the Cavs got a key stop as Mobley blocked a Wagner attempt for the tie.
EVAN MOBLEY. GAME WINNING BLOCK. #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/6MHuQNk9xK
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 1, 2024
Donovan Mitchell then iced the win with two free throws with three seconds to go, even as Banchero hit a three to make the final score official.
Mitchell fired 28 points to lead the Cavs, with Darius Garland adding another 23.
Game-hero Mobley finished with 14 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and two steals.
Banchero paced the Magic with 39 points, as Orlando now looks to continue the trend of home teams winning and force a Game 7 back in Cleveland.
