Cleveland Oh- Its preseason. That’s how we can sum up the Cavs loss to the Orlando Magic 108 – 105. Despite Donavan Mitchell, Max Strus, and Evan Mobley playing deep into the third quarter, the Cavs couldn’t find a rhythm falling to 0-2 in the preseason. In a game where Mitchell shot the ball poorly, which happens, the Cavs starters just couldn’t quite find the right groove to keep up with the Magic. PG Darius Garland played only the first half and led the Cavs in scoring with 19.
Welcome home
In the first game of the new season playing at home, the Cavs showed they still have some learning to do of each other. Strus and Mitchell bumped into one other a couple of times as they both were aiming to get to spots on the court.
Coach JB Bickerstaff said after the game, “When those guys are moving, and creating gravity, the guy with the ball in his hands has to know what they are going to do and get comfortable where they are going to go, and where they will be as outlets.” It’s not that Coach Bickerstaff is complaining, it’s a good problem to have. But at the moment, halfway through the preseason, it is a problem. However, when it clicks, it looks really good!! The Cavs shot 44 threes, making 17. Bickerstaff said he really felt there were opportunities to shoot even more. In a game where Mitchell doesn’t go 3-14 from the floor, the spacing will be unlike we saw last year.
Photo via the Cavs
The Cavs did make a run in the fourth quarter, led by rookie 2nd rounder Emoni Bates. Bates scored all 12 of his points in the fourth as the Cavs almost pulled off the comeback after trailing all game. There’s a spark about Bates. While there are things he definitely needs to work on, the potential is there. And fans love him. As soon as he checked in, there was a buzz in the arena. Once he hit a couple threes and the comeback was on, there were fans cheering and hoping for an overtime game. In the end, the Cavs came up just short, and will look to get on the winning side Monday, as they take on Ra’Anana at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.
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