In case you’ve ever doubted the significance of home-court benefit within the NBA, you needn’t look any additional than this first-round playoff sequence to vary your thoughts.
Not solely has the house workforce gained each contest by 4 video games, however each victory has been by double digits.
After the Cleveland Cavaliers took Video games 1 and a pair of by a mean of 12 factors per outing, the Orlando Magic responded at Kia Middle claiming Video games 3 and 4 with a mean margin of victory of 30.5 factors per contest. Within the course of, Orlando turned the primary workforce in NBA historical past to path a sequence 0-2 after which win Video games 3 and 4 by a mixed 60-plus factors.
Now, the Magic will try to put an finish to that development after they head as much as Cleveland for a Recreation 5 showdown with the Cavaliers on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET.
“We’re coming off two wins, so clearly, we really feel good,” stated Magic All-Star ahead Paolo Banchero. “However we do know we haven’t gained (in Cleveland) within the first two video games. So, we’re going to have to essentially come collectively as a gaggle and do what we are able to to win the subsequent one.”
Orlando is properly conscious of what it can take to drag off that kind of feat. In its first two contests in Cleveland, gradual begins and turnovers plagued the Magic and allowed the Cavaliers to constantly play with the lead. Orlando gave up 30-plus factors within the first quarters of Video games 1 and a pair of – a mark it didn’t permit in every other body – and was outscored by a mean of 9.5 factors within the opening interval.
“That’s what it was; it was their means to get out on the break, whether or not that was turnovers or simply us lacking some photographs,” stated Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley. “They have been in a position to get early, simple baskets (and) watch the ball go within the gap. That obtained their crowd into it. That obtained them into it. They’ve been seeking to get off to quicker begins. So, our means to lock in from the start of the sport with out our residence crowd with the ability to generate that power (is one thing) we’ve to be centered on.”
Whereas Orlando will look to perform that purpose by committee – because it’s finished all season lengthy – it might definitely be advantageous if its franchise cornerstones might proceed to carry out on the degree they did in Video games 3 and 4.
After Paolo Banchero placed on a masterclass in Recreation 3 with a 31-point, 14-rebound, five-assist and zero-turnover displaying, Franz Wagner adopted that up with a 34-point, 13-board, four-dime, and zero-turnover show in Recreation 4.
“That’s what we do,” Banchero defined. “That’s why our teammates look to us to guide the fellows as a result of we’re presupposed to step up within the largest video games and within the largest moments. So, I don’t assume both of us felt prefer it was an out-of-body expertise or something. That’s simply what we’re right here to do.”
The final time the Magic had completely different gamers with consecutive 30-point playoff video games was on Might 19 and 21 in 1996 in opposition to the Chicago Bulls when Penny Hardaway (38) and Shaquille O’Neal (36) hit that mark in back-to-back contests.
KEY STATS: Over the past decade, solely three gamers have recorded a playoff recreation with 30-plus factors, 10-plus rebounds, zero turnovers, and a constructive 25 plus-minus score. Per StatMuse, two of them occur to be Banchero and Wagner, who achieved the feat over only a three-day span.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “We’re not happy in any respect. We simply obtained two wins. We want two extra in opposition to them, so we’ve obtained to remain locked in and you already know, hopefully get the subsequent recreation in Cleveland.” – Franz Wagner after Orlando evened the best-of-seven sequence in Recreation 4
IN AND OUT: Orlando continues to have a clear invoice of well being coming into Recreation 5.
For Cleveland, Jarrett Allen (proper rib; contusion), Ty Jerome (proper ankle; surgical procedure), Craig Porter Jr. (left ankle; sprain), and Dean Wade (proper knee; sprain) are out.