Pregame Report from AdventHealth Coaching Middle
ORLANDO – If there’s been one theme all through the beginning of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, it’s that groups are dominating on their residence flooring.
Via the primary 16 video games of playoff motion, groups are 13-3 when taking part in on their residence courtroom.
Whereas that development labored towards the Orlando Magic within the first two contests of their first spherical sequence with the Cleveland Cavaliers, they’re now hoping to flip the script and use that benefit of their favor.
The Magic will try and bounce again from an 0-2 first spherical sequence deficit after they sq. off with the Cavaliers on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET on the Kia Middle.
“Handle residence; that’s what Cleveland did and that’s what we’ve to do popping out tonight,” stated Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley. “The principle message is with the ability to handle residence courtroom.”
Orlando is hoping that the power of the Magic trustworthy helps spark a squad that has struggled to start out video games. Orlando has given up 30-plus factors in each first quarters this sequence – it’s not completed that in some other body – and is being outscored by a mean of 9.5 factors within the opening interval.
“We’re trying to come out right here and throw the primary punch,” stated Magic guard Jalen Suggs. “We’re trying to get the group concerned and assist carry momentum.”
It will even be extraordinarily helpful for the Magic if pictures begin to fall. Orlando is making simply 34.3 p.c of its pictures from the sphere and 23.6 p.c of its pictures from deep this postseason, each effectively under its common season averages of 47.6 and 35.2 p.c, respectfully.
“(We’re assured) as a result of we’ve labored on all of it 12 months, all summer season,” stated Magic ahead Franz Wagner. “That’s the most important factor. Typically it simply doesn’t go your means, so it’s a must to keep it up.”
One factor Orlando is hoping to hold over from the primary two matchups of this sequence is its protection. The Magic have held the Cavs below 100 factors in each of these conferences. Within the common season, Orlando was 21-2 when holding its opponents below that threshold.
“I assumed our protection was good (in Video games 1 and a pair of) and we’re going to proceed to (have that),” Wagner defined. “I believe that provides us numerous confidence for these upcoming video games.”
KEY STATS: Of the 163 pictures Cleveland has taken to this point this sequence, 110 have been closely contested, per Second Spectrum. That’s 67.5 p.c of the Cavs’ pictures, 5 p.c increased than Orlando’s common season common. Cleveland has made simply 32.7 p.c of these makes an attempt – the second lowest mark within the playoffs. Extra key stats
QUOTE TO NOTE: “Very excited. This second is such a blessing. To lastly be residence. To have a bunch of household and buddies coming into city and revel in this second with me. To have brothers (my teammates) able to compete and on the identical web page, able to compete and have enjoyable. (We’re) able to get pleasure from a house playoff sport. For lots of us, it’ll be the primary time. Loads of pleasure comes from that. Loads of confidence comes from that. Weirdly sufficient, numerous peace. In the present day, it feels prefer it’s simply again to basketball, again to hooping … I’m excited to see the Kia Middle (with) the home rocking.” – Suggs
IN AND OUT: Orlando continues to have a clear invoice of well being getting into Recreation 3.
For Cleveland, Ty Jerome (proper ankle; surgical procedure), Craig Porter Jr. (left ankle; sprain), and Dean Wade (proper knee; sprain) are out.