2024 NBA Playoffs Round 1 Game 5: (5) Orlando Magic at (4) Cleveland Cavaliers - Series Tied 2-2

[3ddman23]

Do we get blown out Friday?

I'm extremely worried about that. After a tough loss. We just come out flat

Not on our home floor we don't, this team has shown nothing but heart all year. Won't roll over in a do or die situation in front of a packed house of fans.

Ehh I guess but thats a bit debatable, we had some stinkers/tough losses at home as well after the allstar break.

But I'm with others saying it's kinda of an unknown. Nobody figured we blow them out 2 times at home but now no one is expecting us to get blown out either. But it technically could happen. We'll see

[Rainwater]

If Paolo isn't iso balling tonight we lose by 15. We have not shown the ability to be able to hit shots at even a remotely average level on the road so far.

Wagner was passive and Suggs was out of control.

Yeah, I agree would not even be in the game without Paolo.

[drsd]

The ball movement was non existent man. And everyone was just stagnant while Paolo ISO'd

Again: the Magic must get a SG that runs cuts and can hit catch and shoot reliably. This team will never be great until that one player is found. I am getting sick of hearing 80% of Magic RealGMers scream for a PG. It has four PGs on the roster. This team NEEDS a SG.

[davey_wavy]

Guys I’m so damn proud of this team and Paolo with 39 points in an away game in his first ever playoff series? We are blessed as hell.

We are getting literally 0 points every night from our starting shooting guard and making it close. The future looks so bright.

Exactly it sucks we lost this one but the future is mega bright. The backcourt will be improved. This team will improve their decision making and execution.

Maybe we will spend some money in the off-season and bring in a player or 2 instead of living on fantasy island thinking shots will just "fall" next season

[basketballRob]

No, Gary Harris will make it tough in game 6.

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That’s the scary part…. Mosley cannot play Cole those minutes or were ****. Considering Gary hasn’t done much offensively maybe just maybe we play AB a bit ?

Struss scored 8 points in 2 minutes on Cole.

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[ChosenSavior]

Do we get blown out Friday?

I'm extremely worried about that. After a tough loss. We just come out flat

While I know we blew them out in the last two games, the pressure is now on our teams shoulders and I am not sure how they will respond. Cavs are going to play free knowing they have an extra game. The team NEED to come out actually playing. Our bench players need to step up.

Nope. We weren't supposed to be competitive in this series as it was stated before this series started. The pressure is still on the Cavs since they are the "better team." Now I do expect the Cavs to play with an edge in Game 6 since you do not want to chance things in a Game 7.

For the Magic, the goal is simple... Win at home and force a winner take all game back in Cleveland. We have proven we can hang with them no matter who plays for them. I expect the Magic to play with way more energy back at the Kia Center.

[Black and Blue]

I just took a step back and realized...Paolo 39 point game in the playoffs, Franz 34 pt game in the playoffs, Suggs suddenly one of the best defenders in the league and way way better at shooting, Isaac is healthy again, coach Mosely runner up for coach of the year, 5th seed, going the distance in round 1, bench scoring more points than most in the nba... like this has to be absolute best case scenario right? Short of the rookies doing anything but I get the impression the idea was always to redshirt both of them.

Really really glass half full right now. This is hopefully the start of something big.

[drsd]

No, Gary Harris will make it tough in game 6.

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That’s the scary part…. Mosley cannot play Cole those minutes or were ****. Considering Gary hasn’t done much offensively maybe just maybe we play AB a bit ?

Screw the bench depth: just start the death lineup and see where it lands.

PG: Suggs/Anthony
SG: F-Wagner/Fultz
SF: Banchero/Ingles
PF: Isaac
C: Carter/M-Wagner

At least that 9-man rotation has scoring.

[cedric76]

The ball movement was non existent man. And everyone was just stagnant while Paolo ISO'd

Again: the Magic must get a SG that runs cuts and can hit catch and shoot reliably. This team will never be great until that one player is found. I am getting sick of hearing 80% of Magic RealGMers scream for a PG. It has four PGs on the roster. This team NEEDS a SG.

Monk says high

[VFX]

It’s games like this where I cringe when people say “nah we are good run it back” when we have 2-3 guys out there having zero business being on the court.

Nah. Go get some fuqkin players.

[Optimus_Steel]

Knicks had a 6 point lead with 28 seconds left and lost, we were battling and trading blows with a bottom 6 offense in the league. Once we get some more help, we're in a great spot.

Agreeed. Im not too upset. I get its a process and these young guys are learning. We are going to improve the guard scoring issue. This team is in good shape going forward. With that said we can still win this current series.

[drsd]

It’s games like this where I cringe when people say “nah we are good run it back” when we have 2-3 guys out there having zero business being on the court.

If the Magic trade Anthony and the FRP for a new SG, can you drive him to the airport?

[cedric76]

No, Gary Harris will make it tough in game 6.

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM Forums mobile app

That’s the scary part…. Mosley cannot play Cole those minutes or were ****. Considering Gary hasn’t done much offensively maybe just maybe we play AB a bit ?

Screw the bench depth: just start the death lineup and see where it lands.

PG: Suggs/Anthony
SG: F-Wagner/Fultz
SF: Banchero/Ingles
PF: Isaac
C: Carter/M-Wagner

At least that 9-man rotation has scoring.

We can't play Cole unfortunately, shame we can't play Black instead of him (we will next season though, Cole is a goner)

[VFX]

It’s games like this where I cringe when people say “nah we are good run it back” when we have 2-3 guys out there having zero business being on the court.

If the Magic trade Anthony and the FRP for a new SG, can you drive him to the airport?

It sucks because I like Cole, but if he’s completely unplayable in a playoff series then what good is he really?

[Audi]

I feel like we didn’t get enough from Isaac tonight. Seemed a halfstep behind.

[drsd]

Tough loss, the team will learn from it ....

And-1

Games 1, 2, and 5 have been gems for management. WePark now can Clearly see the roster and its warts. These losses are super instructive!

[mattyBoi]

I just took a step back and realized...Paolo 39 point game in the playoffs, Franz 35 game in the playoffs, Suggs suddenly one of the best defenders in the league and way way better at shooting, Isaac is healthy again, coach Mosely runner up for coach of the year, 5th seed, going the distance in round 1, bench scoring more points than most in the nba... like this has to be absolute best case scenario right? Short of the rookies doing anything but I get the impression the idea was always to redshirt both of them.

Really really glass half full right now. This is hopefully the start of something big.

Perspective is tough, when you start competing you just want it all. If you can do this now then why can't you do this? But you're right, we are ascending. And our weaknesses are glaring. And our means to fix them are abundant.

[SOUL]

Next game might be our last of the season, I hope not because they deserve a shot at game 7.. but i'm not ready for it to end yet! Even though part of me hates the stress lol

[drsd]

Maybe we will spend some money in the off-season and bring in a player or 2 instead of living on fantasy island thinking shots will just "fall" next season

Devil's advocate: Banchero, F-Wagner, and Suggs all must get better on offense for the Magic to contend. But we can reasonably assume all three will improve their efficiency. Still: it is on the Magic's to-do list. Just get better.

[Knightro]

Paolo was 13-21 from the floor before he missed in isolation with 1:29 and 1:02 to go.

I can't in good faith kill Paolo or the Magic for those possessions. That's what got them there and that's what was going to win it or lose it for them.