Cleveland. Donovan Mitchell contributed 30 points, Jarrett Allen added 18 rebounds and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Orlando Magic 97-83 this Saturday in game one of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Evan Mobley added 16 points for Cleveland, which was beaten in five games last postseason by the New York Knicks.
The experience scared the Cavs, who came into these playoffs more confident, with more depth and relatively healthier after a season plagued by injuries.
Mitchell has been slowed the last two months by a bone bruise in his knee, but the star guard moved well and was Cleveland’s most viable offensive threat for nearly two full quarters.
Orlando’s Paolo Banchero had 24 points in his postseason debut, but had nine turnovers. The Magic shot just 33 percent from the field, partly because of their poor offense, but also because of Cleveland’s defense.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves, with a great performance by their young star Anthony Edwards, defeated Kevin Durant’s Phoenix Suns 120-95 in their respective postseason start.
Edwards had a performance of 33 points, nine rebounds and six assists to put the Timberwolves ahead of the Suns in this best-of-seven series.
The 22-year-old, who is competing in his third playoffs, put the home team’s victory on track in an explosive third quarter in which he scored 18 points and allowed himself to celebrate baskets in front of Durant.
The veteran forward finished with 31 points and kept Phoenix in the game until the Timberwolves took off after the break.
The rest of the Suns ‘Big 3’ had a disappointing night on the Target Center court. Devin Booker scored 18 points on 5-16 shooting from the field and Bradley Beal had 15 points.
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– 2024-04-27 18:44:29
