Magic Topples Cavaliers, 103-96, to force Game 7
The Orlando Magic defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers, 103-96, at Amway Center on Friday night, in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal-round series. The series is tied 3-3.
The Magic (3-3) came in knowing they'd have a chance to keep their season alive in front of their supportive home crowd, and matters got off to a good start in that regard when Orlando was able to carry over a five-point first-quarter lead into halftime. However, the Cavaliers (3-3) turned the tide in the third quarter, ratcheting up their play on both ends of the floor to outscore the hosts by a 29-20 margin during the period. That set up a thrilling fourth quarter where the two teams traded the advantage until Paolo Banchero's three-pointer with 3:39 remaining snapped an 89-89 tie to spark a game-ending/winning 14-7 run for the home squad.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 50 points, adding four rebounds, four assists and one block. Darius Garland furnished 21 points, six boards, five assists and two steals. Max Strus finished with 10 points, eight rebounds, one assist and one steal.
Banchero paced the Magic with 27 points, supplementing them with eight rebounds, four assists and one steal. Franz Wagner supplied 26 points, five rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal. Jalen Suggs registered 22 points, six rebounds, four assists and one steal. Wendell Carter Jr. turned in 11 points, nine rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block.
The series concludes Sunday afternoon with Game 7 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland.
The Magic (3-3) came in knowing they'd have a chance to keep their season alive in front of their supportive home crowd, and matters got off to a good start in that regard when Orlando was able to carry over a five-point first-quarter lead into halftime. However, the Cavaliers (3-3) turned the tide in the third quarter, ratcheting up their play on both ends of the floor to outscore the hosts by a 29-20 margin during the period. That set up a thrilling fourth quarter where the two teams traded the advantage until Paolo Banchero's three-pointer with 3:39 remaining snapped an 89-89 tie to spark a game-ending/winning 14-7 run for the home squad.
Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 50 points, adding four rebounds, four assists and one block. Darius Garland furnished 21 points, six boards, five assists and two steals. Max Strus finished with 10 points, eight rebounds, one assist and one steal.
Banchero paced the Magic with 27 points, supplementing them with eight rebounds, four assists and one steal. Franz Wagner supplied 26 points, five rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal. Jalen Suggs registered 22 points, six rebounds, four assists and one steal. Wendell Carter Jr. turned in 11 points, nine rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block.
The series concludes Sunday afternoon with Game 7 at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland.
Mavs Secure Home Win To Close Out Series
By Dan Bruno
The Dallas Mavericks defeated the visiting Los Angeles Clippers, 114-101, in Game 6 of the Western Conference First-Round Playoffs at American Airlines Center on Friday evening.
The Mavs booked their ticket to the second round as they came out strong and secured the series with a confident home win. They led by eight points after one quarter, but the Clippers picked up their play in the second and rallied to tie the score at 52, by halftime. The hosts turned it up a notch again in the third and outscored the Clippers, 35-20, to take a 15-point lead into the final frame. The visitors could not find an answer in the fourth, while the Mavs cruised to the series-clinching win.
Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 30 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks, in 42 minutes. Luka Doncic totaled 28 points, seven rebounds, 13 assists, a steal and a block, while P.J. Washington added 14 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Meanwhile, Paul George led the Clippers with 18 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block, in 42 minutes. Ivica Zubac followed up with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while James Harden logged 16 points, seven rebounds, 13 assists, a steal and a block.
This marks the end of the line for the Clippers, while the Mavs look ahead to kicking off the conference semi finals against the Thunder in OKC on Tuesday.
The Mavs booked their ticket to the second round as they came out strong and secured the series with a confident home win. They led by eight points after one quarter, but the Clippers picked up their play in the second and rallied to tie the score at 52, by halftime. The hosts turned it up a notch again in the third and outscored the Clippers, 35-20, to take a 15-point lead into the final frame. The visitors could not find an answer in the fourth, while the Mavs cruised to the series-clinching win.
Kyrie Irving led the Mavericks with 30 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks, in 42 minutes. Luka Doncic totaled 28 points, seven rebounds, 13 assists, a steal and a block, while P.J. Washington added 14 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Meanwhile, Paul George led the Clippers with 18 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block, in 42 minutes. Ivica Zubac followed up with 17 points and 11 rebounds, while James Harden logged 16 points, seven rebounds, 13 assists, a steal and a block.
This marks the end of the line for the Clippers, while the Mavs look ahead to kicking off the conference semi finals against the Thunder in OKC on Tuesday.