Pregame Dribbles: Cavaliers vs. Magic

CLEVELAND — Random dribbles ahead of the Cavaliers’ home date with the Orlando Magic on Friday …

1. The Cavs are catching a bit of a break here, and it’s the type of break no one wants. That’s because it was just learned Thursday that Magic center Paolo Banchero is out with an oblique injury. He’s expected to be sidelined for 4-6 weeks.

2. Banchero scored 50 points in a game earlier this week. He caused all sorts of problems for the Cavs in the playoffs last season. He causes all sorts of problems for every opponent.

3. Injuries happen but you still hate to see them. You always want the competition to be at its very best. That’s the point of competition. Plus, as we all know, the Cavs have been down that unfortunate road.

4. As for the Cavs (5-0), they’re one win away from tying the LeBron James-led team of 2016-17 to start the season. In order to tie the franchise record, they’ll have to beat the Magic, and then the Milwaukee Bucks twice (Saturday at Milwaukee, Monday in Cleveland).

5. This has just been an amazing run so far. The Cavs can do little wrong. If you want to nitpick, you could say their starts have been slower than their finishes. But that’s sort of what you’re aiming for — provided you don’t get down too big at the beginning.

6. Jarrett Allen did his best Wilt Chamberlain impersonation against the Lakers, collecting 20 points, 17 rebounds and two blocks in three quarters. He now has as many blocked shots on the season (five) as he does missed shots (same).

7. Allen is sort of thought of as the “fourth” member of the Core Four when it comes to fans and social media. But the Cavs realize Allen, Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley each bring their own vital skills. You could say that about everyone.

8. My favorite thing about watching this team play through the first five games is everyone seems to understand their role and Kenny Atkinson’s game plan. It’s not as if there are a bunch of guys out there (or anyone, really) forcing up stuff. Most everything is coming within the flow of the offense.

9. Mostly, it’s just been a lot of fun watching this team. The Cavaliers are playing a brand of basketball that not only wins, but makes for good TV.

10. Speaking of which, I have to run to go shoot the new episode of Hoops Wire Live on 330 to Go. In case you missed it, I joined ex-Cavs guard Daniel Gibson and Spanish radio voice Rafa Hernandez-Brito on the all-new Full Court Cleveland show from the Big Play Sports Network. You can watch it in its entirety here.