Cavs vs. Magic: What to watch as Cleveland returns home

Finally, a home game.

The Cavs are back at Rocket Arena after taking care of business on a three-game trip, closing it out with their final regular-season meeting against the Orlando Magic.

The Cavs won two of the first three. Lost the last one. And yeah, that one still stands out.

Desmond Bane went for 35. Paolo Banchero did what he always seems to do against the Cavs. Orlando put up 128. That’s not the script the Cavs want to revisit.

As for today, the Magic have dropped five straight. That includes a home loss to Indiana, a team that had lost 16 in a row. So yeah, things aren’t exactly humming.

But context matters.

They’ve been banged up. Franz Wagner has been out six weeks. Anthony Black has missed time. That’s a lot of production off the floor.

Still, the issue is simple: They can’t shoot.

Orlando ranks near the bottom in effective field-goal percentage. Bottom tier from three. Bottom tier in the midrange.

What they do is attack the paint and get to the line. A lot. Best in the league in made free throws.

So the Cavs’ job isn’t complicated. Pack the paint. Make them hit jumpers. Live with the results.

Now, about Banchero.

He’s averaging 30 a game against the Cavs this season. Shooting well above his norm from three. At 6-foot-10, 250, he’s basically a downhill problem every possession.

The Cavs didn’t handle it last time. Banchero, Bane and Tristan da Silva combined for 83. That’s your ballgame.

On the flip side, the Cavs should have some advantages.

Orlando is on the second night of a back-to-back, third game in four nights, sixth in nine days. They’ll be tired. The Cavs have had two days off.

Rotation matters, too.

If Wagner, Black and Jonathan Isaac are all out, Orlando’s bench gets thin fast. That’s where the Cavs should win this.

One more thing to watch?

Defensively, Orlando is long and physical. They defend the three well. So this isn’t a chuck-it night. This is a get-to-the-rim, make-the-right-play type of game.

Expect the Cavs to hunt Banchero in switches, especially with Donovan Mitchell and James Harden attacking.

Where do the Cavs stand overall? Pretty stable.

They’re essentially locked into the No. 4 seed. These games are about rhythm, habits, and getting right for the playoffs.

Orlando needs this more. The Cavs should still have the edge.

Injury Report

Cavaliers
Jaylon Tyson — OUT (toe)
Craig Porter Jr. — OUT (groin)
Jarrett Allen — OUT (knee)
Tyrese Proctor — OUT (quadriceps)

Magic

Jalen Suggs — QUESTIONABLE (illness)
Franz Wagner — OUT (ankle)
Jonathan Isaac — OUT (knee)
Anthony Black — OUT (abdomen)