CLEVELAND CAVALIERS VS. ORLANDO MAGIC GAME 7 INSTANT REACTION
It all comes down to this – Game 7.
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic have traded blows all series, with the home team winning each game so far. The winner advances in the NBA Playoffs to take on the Boston Celtics.
The Cavs were without Jarrett Allen today, but still had Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Max Strus in the lineup. The Magic countered with their normal starters, featuring Paolo Banchero, Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner & Wendell Carter Jr.
At halftime, the Magic lead the Cavs 53-43.
Orlando Magic starting guard Gary Harris is available to play in Sunday’s decisive Game 7 of the Eastern Conference first-round series, while Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star center Jarrett Allen has been ruled out.
Harris sat out Orlando’s victory in Game 6 on Friday due to a right hamstring strain that he suffered in Game 5 on Tuesday. He has averaged 3.8 points and 2.0 rebounds in the five games during the series.
After being listed as questionable on the NBA injury report, Allen was ruled out shortly before tipoff of Game 7, with Isaac Okoro to return to the starting lineup.
EDITOR’S PICKS
Four factors that will determine Game 7 between Orlando and Cleveland
1hKevin Pelton
Allen, who grabbed 20 rebounds in Game 2, has sat out the past two games due to a rib contusion. He averaged 17.0 points and 13.8 rebounds in the first four games of the series.
When asked Sunday morning if Allen would be available for Game 7, Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters: “We’ll see.”
Allen averaged a career-high 16.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 77 games this season.
The winner of Sunday’s game will face the top-seeded Boston Celtics in the conference semifinals.
