Cavaliers, Magic Tangle In Game 6
The Orlando Magic will host the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference first round at Kia Center on Friday. The Cavaliers lead the series 3-2.
The Magic have their backs against the wall ahead of this matchup Friday following the loss in Game 5. However, they should be boosted by having won the previous two games in Orlando relatively comfortably. The Magic found their offense in Game 5 and scored 103 points, but the defense hurt them, as Game 5 was the first time they allowed Cleveland to score more than 100 points in the series. Ergo, it seems a few tweaks on the defensive side of the ball might be everything the Magic need to force a decisive Game 7. That alone would be a massive victory for Orlando following its woeful start to the series, but it also signals a win given how young -- and inexperienced -- the roster is. The Magic will need their star players to perform at their best, though. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner will ultimately carry the Magic to a potential Game 7.
Gary Harris (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Friday for the Magic.
The Cavaliers have been a team of two tales in this series, dominating at home but struggling massively on the road. Given that trend, this series should be decided in a potential Game 7 in Cleveland. However, the Cavaliers have other plans, and they’re looking to secure the victory in Game 6 to set a matchup against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Cavaliers know they need to play at the top of their game to get past the Magic, including Donovan Mitchell, who struggled badly on offense in the two previous contests played at Kia Center. Even though Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley and Darius Garland can carry the team on some stretches, the Cavaliers will only go as far as Mitchell can take them. If he’s at his best Friday, the Cavs have a solid shot to move into the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
The Cavaliers are listing Jarrett Allen (ribs) as a game-time call for Friday. Craig Porter (ankle), Ty Jerome (ankle) and Dean Wade (knee) are out
The Magic have their backs against the wall ahead of this matchup Friday following the loss in Game 5. However, they should be boosted by having won the previous two games in Orlando relatively comfortably. The Magic found their offense in Game 5 and scored 103 points, but the defense hurt them, as Game 5 was the first time they allowed Cleveland to score more than 100 points in the series. Ergo, it seems a few tweaks on the defensive side of the ball might be everything the Magic need to force a decisive Game 7. That alone would be a massive victory for Orlando following its woeful start to the series, but it also signals a win given how young -- and inexperienced -- the roster is. The Magic will need their star players to perform at their best, though. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner will ultimately carry the Magic to a potential Game 7.
Gary Harris (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Friday for the Magic.
The Cavaliers have been a team of two tales in this series, dominating at home but struggling massively on the road. Given that trend, this series should be decided in a potential Game 7 in Cleveland. However, the Cavaliers have other plans, and they’re looking to secure the victory in Game 6 to set a matchup against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Cavaliers know they need to play at the top of their game to get past the Magic, including Donovan Mitchell, who struggled badly on offense in the two previous contests played at Kia Center. Even though Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley and Darius Garland can carry the team on some stretches, the Cavaliers will only go as far as Mitchell can take them. If he’s at his best Friday, the Cavs have a solid shot to move into the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
The Cavaliers are listing Jarrett Allen (ribs) as a game-time call for Friday. Craig Porter (ankle), Ty Jerome (ankle) and Dean Wade (knee) are out
Mavs Look To Close Out Series At Home
By Dan Bruno
The Dallas Mavericks play host to the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 6 of the Western Conference First-Round Playoffs at American Airlines Center on Friday evening.
The Mavs lead the series 3-2 after a back-and-forth struggle between both sides. The Clippers grabbed the first win of the series at home in Game 1, but the Mavs responded with back-to-back wins in Game 2 and 3. The Clippers managed to regain their footing on the road in Game 4 and came up with a critical win to tie the series at 2-2, instead of falling into the 3-1 hole. Nonetheless, the Mavericks reclaimed the upper hand with a dominant effort in Game 5 in L.A, where they pulled off a 30-point win to put themselves in position to close out the series at home in Game 6.
Luka Doncic has been fantastic so far in the series, averaging 30.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 1.0 steals over the five games, including three double-doubles and one triple-double performance. Kyrie Irving is coming off a relatively quiet outing in Game 5, where he finished with just 14 points, but he dropped 40 points in the game prior and is averaging 25.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.8 steals in the series. Derrick Jones has done a solid job in his role, scoring in double figures in each of the last four outings and averaging 9.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in the series. Tim Hardaway (ankle) missed the last three games and will remain out through Friday's action.
On the other side, the Clippers continue to forge ahead without Kawhi Leonard (knee), who has missed the last two games. Paul George and James Harden did a great job to step up in Game 4, the first game of the series without Leonard, as they totaled 33 points each to earn the road win. However, both George and Harden came up flat in Game 5, where they combined for 22 points. Ivica Zubac has had a great series so far, averaging 16.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.0 steals over the five games and should continue to thrive against the Mavs' smaller frontcourt. Terance Mann (leg) is listed as questionable for action.
The Mavs lead the series 3-2 after a back-and-forth struggle between both sides. The Clippers grabbed the first win of the series at home in Game 1, but the Mavs responded with back-to-back wins in Game 2 and 3. The Clippers managed to regain their footing on the road in Game 4 and came up with a critical win to tie the series at 2-2, instead of falling into the 3-1 hole. Nonetheless, the Mavericks reclaimed the upper hand with a dominant effort in Game 5 in L.A, where they pulled off a 30-point win to put themselves in position to close out the series at home in Game 6.
Luka Doncic has been fantastic so far in the series, averaging 30.2 points, 9.2 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 1.0 steals over the five games, including three double-doubles and one triple-double performance. Kyrie Irving is coming off a relatively quiet outing in Game 5, where he finished with just 14 points, but he dropped 40 points in the game prior and is averaging 25.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.8 steals in the series. Derrick Jones has done a solid job in his role, scoring in double figures in each of the last four outings and averaging 9.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in the series. Tim Hardaway (ankle) missed the last three games and will remain out through Friday's action.
On the other side, the Clippers continue to forge ahead without Kawhi Leonard (knee), who has missed the last two games. Paul George and James Harden did a great job to step up in Game 4, the first game of the series without Leonard, as they totaled 33 points each to earn the road win. However, both George and Harden came up flat in Game 5, where they combined for 22 points. Ivica Zubac has had a great series so far, averaging 16.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.0 steals over the five games and should continue to thrive against the Mavs' smaller frontcourt. Terance Mann (leg) is listed as questionable for action.