In a commanding performance, Franz Wagner led the Orlando Magic to a resounding 112-89 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, evening the Eastern Conference first-round series at 2-2. Wagner’s standout performance saw him rack up 34 points and 13 rebounds, overshadowing the Cavaliers’ offensive efforts, while the Magic held the Cavaliers scoreless for nearly seven minutes in the second half.
The turning point came in the third quarter, as the Magic outscored the Cavaliers 37-10, flipping the momentum decisively in their favor. Despite Cleveland’s strong start with 60 points in the first half, they faltered in the face of Orlando’s defensive pressure, managing only 29 points in the second half.
Wagner’s stellar performance continued into the third quarter, where he scored 12 points in just five minutes, propelling the Magic ahead. With contributions from Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz off the bench, Orlando secured a convincing victory.
“Once we came back from that nine-point deficit starting the third, and they took that timeout, I felt like OK, the momentum is swinging in our direction,” Magic big man Jonathan Isaac said.
Despite the Cavaliers’ early success on their home court, winning the first two games of the series, the Magic’s back-to-back victories in Florida have leveled the playing field.
“They held home court just like we did,” Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “Now we get an opportunity to go home and play a best-of-three series with two games in Cleveland. We’ve got areas where we can change some things, fix some things, but I know our guys will be ready to go on Tuesday night.”
Jarrett Allen led the Cavaliers with 21 points and nine rebounds. Donovan Mitchell had 18 points, all in the first half. However, Cleveland’s offensive efforts fell short against Orlando’s suffocating defense.
“Ten points (in a quarter) is outrageous,” Donovan said. “We have to be better. I have to be better. I’m disappointed in myself, so it’s on me. You can’t have 18 points in the first half and zero in the second, and only four shots.”
The Magic’s dominance at home has been evident throughout the series, winning six consecutive games, while their struggles on the road continue with six straight losses.
“We’re not satisfied at all,” Wagner said. “We just got two wins. We need two more against them so we’ve got to stay locked in and try to get the next one in Cleveland.”
Wagner ignited the second half with a swift layup off a Cleveland turnover, followed by a composed jump shot from the free-throw line. His offensive prowess continued with a pivotal 3-pointer and a three-point play during a five-minute stretch, where Orlando surged ahead with a 17-6 run, seizing a narrow 68-67 lead over the Cavaliers.
“Obviously he’s incredible,” said Wagner’s brother Mo, who contributed seven points and four rebounds. “His awareness, his control of the game is just great. He started off the game distributing the ball and let the game come to him.
The Cavaliers’ scoring in the third quarter came to a halt after Max Strus drained a crucial 3-pointer with 5:26 remaining, marking their final points of the period. They remained scoreless until Caris LeVert broke the drought with a jumper at the 10:40 mark in the fourth quarter.
The game was not without its physical moments, including minor altercations between players and a flagrant foul assessed to Max Strus for impeding Cole Anthony’s dunk attempt in the fourth quarter.
