The Cleveland Cavaliers advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals after beating the Orlando Magic 106-94 at home in Game 7 of their first-round playoff series. The Cavaliers trailed by 18 points in the first half, but a strong third quarter, won 33-15, inspired a comeback against the Magic. It's also the largest comeback in a decisive Game 7 in the playoffs since the NBA has tracked play-by-play from the 1997-98 season.
Above all for the team from Ohio was Donovan Mitchell. The guard finished with 39 points, adding 9 rebounds, 5 assists and making just two misses on 17 attempts from the foul line. Caris LeVert added 15 points from the bench, and Max Strus and Darius Garland scored 13 and 12, respectively. Evan Mobley scored a double-double for success - 11 points and 16 rebounds.
Paolo Banchero played a strong game for Magic - 38 points and 16 rebounds, but his efforts were not successful. He didn't get enough help from his teammates -- only two other Orlando basketball players topped the 10-point mark -- Wendell Carter Jr. (13) and Jalen Suggs (10). Franz Wagner had a very poor night, finishing just 1/15 with 6 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists.
Thus, Cleveland is in the 1/2-finals of the East, where the leader in the scheme Boston Celtics, who convincingly eliminated the Miami Heat in five meetings, is waiting for him. Game 1 of the series is at the Celtics arena on Tuesday night. /BGNES
