Donovan Mitchell scores 23 as Cavaliers power to 96-86 win over Magic and 2-0 lead in series

CLEVELAND (AP) — Through two games, the Cavaliers have been tough guys in these playoffs.

This year, they're the bullies.

Donovan Mitchell scored 23 points, Jarrett Allen had 20 rebounds and Cleveland outlasted the Orlando Magic 96-86 on Monday night in a second straight slugfest to take a 2-0 lead in their first-round Eastern Conference series.

It’s been an impressive opening for the Cavs, who spent the regular season waiting for a chance to redeem themselves following last year’s first-round exit against the New York Knicks, who punished Cleveland in five games.

The Cavs were labeled soft, especially Allen, who was criticized for saying “the lights were too bright.” They've flipped the script so far.

“It's very satisfying,” Allen said. “It shows that we've grown not only as a team but as individuals. We're not folding under pressure. We do have our moments, but as a whole I feel like we've taken a huge step.”

Mitchell set the tone as the Cavs led from start to finish, just as they did in Game 1.

Evan Mobley added 17 points and Allen scored 16 — with nine offensive rebounds — for Cleveland. He's the third player in team history to get 20 rebounds in a playoff game, joining Kevin Love (21) and Brad Daugherty (20).

“It means a lot,” Allen said. “It’s good company.”

Paolo Banchero scored 21 points and Franz Wagner 18 for the Magic, who have only come back to win one playoff series in 13 tries when losing the series opener. They're now in an even deeper hole.

As was the case in Game 1, the Magic couldn’t find their shooting touch. They shot 36% from the floor, including 9 of 35 on 3-pointers.

“We’ve got to make shots, that’s the name of the game,” said Banchero, who was 9 of 20. “It’s frustrating for everybody when you keep shooting and it’s not going in. The way these two games have gone, I don’t think anyone thinks this will continue when we come home.”

Game 3 of the best-of-seven series is Thursday in Orlando, and Allen is expecting another physical battle.

“First one to 85,” the 6-foot-11 Allen predicted. “lt's been a defensive-minded series and let's keep it that way.”

Magic guard Jalen Suggs went down with a sprained left knee in the first quarter. He collapsed to the floor after making contact with Mitchell and immediately grabbed his leg in pain. After being helped up, an emotional Suggs couldn't put any weight on his leg as he was carried to the locker room.

However, the former high school football star returned after halftime with a sleeve on his leg. He finished with nine points and sparked a rally in the fourth quarter as the Magic scored 13 straight to pull within 87-78.

Mitchell, though, checked back in and scored two quick baskets to restore order for the Cavs.

“We did some good things,” Mitchell said. “I'm not mad at the way we played, but we can be better.”

'Suggs' injury seemed to shake his teammates. The Magic were only 14-13 when he went out, but the Cavs closed the opening quarter with a 19-5 flurry to open a 12-point lead.

“It takes the wind out of your team when our head of the snake on defense goes down,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. "He was in quite a bit of pain when he returned, so we’ll evaluate him when we get back home.”

Suggs did not seem to be in any pain following the game, and was confident he'd be good to go in Game 3.

“I’m good," he said. "I was able to finish. It will be cool to get back home and get treatment for a couple of days. We play Thursday at 7 p.m. and I’ll be ready.”

Garland's layup with 9:09 left gave the Cavs a 22-point lead, allowing their towel-waving fans to let off some steam and celebrate Cleveland getting a second postseason win for the first time since 2018.

Allen knows getting a third win won't be easy.

“We know when we go to their place, they’re going to be a completely different team,” he said. “They’re going to have their home crowd behind them. They don’t want it to get to 3-0. They’re just going to try to come at us like we’ve been doing to them.”

UP NEXT

Orlando hosts its first playoff game since April 21, 2019. It will be Cleveland's first postseason visit there since the 2009 conference finals.

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Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs, right, drives against Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) during the second half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 22, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Orlando Magic center Moritz Wagner (21) dunks against Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) during the second half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 22, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) blocks a shot by Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) during the second half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 22, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro (35) shoots against Orlando Magic guard Joe Ingles, right, during the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 22, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) shoots against Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac (1) during the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 22, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro (35) looks to shoot against Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) during the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 22, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland, left, drives against Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) during the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 22, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) drives against Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac, left, during the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 22, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, center, pushes the ball upcourt against Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) during the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 22, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero (5) works against Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus, right, during the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 22, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen dunks against the Orlando Magic during the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 22, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) shoots against Orlando Magic guard Gary Harris, left, and forward Franz Wagner (22) during the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 22, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) shoots against Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) during the first half of Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Monday, April 22, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

A look at the coaches who have led teams with LeBron James on the roster. The Los Angeles Lakers fired coach Darvin Ham on Friday:

—Paul Silas (2003-05): He was James' first coach in the 2003-04 season and helped the first-year player win the NBA Rookie of the Year award. But Silas was let go 64 games into the 2005 season with the Cavaliers at 34-30.

—Brendan Malone (2005): He became interim coach after Silas was dismissed and went 8-10 with the team to miss out on the NBA playoffs.

—Mike Brown (2005-10): He led the Cavaliers to the playoffs in all five seasons with James on the roster, making it to the NBA Finals in their second season together in 2006-07. James was named NBA MVP in his final two seasons with Brown as coach. Brown was let go before James' pending free agency in the summer of 2010.

—Erik Spoelstra (2010-14): He led the Heat to the NBA Finals all four seasons coaching James, winning it all in 2012 and 2013. James won NBA MVP in both those seasons.

—David Blatt (2014-16): Blatt coached James in his return to Cleveland, losing in the NBA Finals to Golden State. Blatt was fired the next season with the team at 30-11. Then-GM David Griffin said at the time: “What I see is that we need to build a collective spirit, a strength of spirit, a collective will.”

—Tyronn Lue (2016-18): Lue was promoted to take over for Blatt, and he led the Cavaliers to the 2016 NBA title over the Warriors. Lue and James made two more trips to the Finals before James opted for free agency and ended his second term with Cleveland.

—Luke Walton (2018-19): James was slowed by injuries and the Lakers missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2004-05 season at 37-45. Walton and the Lakers mutually agreed to part ways after the season.

—Frank Vogel (2019-22): Vogel and James had the Lakers at 49-14 and on top in the Western Conference before COVID-19 shut down the league. When games restarted, Los Angeles won the NBA championship. The team could not duplicate its success in Vogel's final two years, advancing as a play-in team in 2021 and missing the playoffs in 2022. Vogel was fired after that season.

—Darvin Ham (2022-24): Ham and the Lakers started slowly in the first of two seasons together, before rallying as a seventh seed in the playoffs to reach the Western Conference finals. This past season, Los Angeles was knocked out in the opening round by defending champion Denver. The team announced Ham's firing Friday. “While this was a difficult decision to make, it is the best course of action following a full review of the season,” GM Rob Pelinka said in a statement.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Darvin Ham, left, argues for a call with referee Kevin Scott, front right, in the first half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets, Monday, April 29, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James reacts as time runs out in the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets Monday, April 29, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)