ORLANDO - In the NBA playoffs, a change of scenery often makes a world of difference.
That was certainly the case in Game 3 of the Orlando Magic’s first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Following a pair of defeats in Cleveland, where they struggled mightily with their shooting, the Magic returned home and did what was common of them throughout the regular season, which was feed off the Kia Center crowd’s energy and vivaciousness.
The boost from the fans, along with far better shooting, another stifling defensive effort and stellar performances from Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs, paved the way for Orlando’s 121-83 victory. The Magic now trail the series 2-1.
“The confidence that they give you,” Suggs said of the crowd support. “After every bucket, you see everybody stand up, you hear everybody cheer, you hear the roars. I think it excites you to come back down, get a stop, go do it again. It gives you a bit of extra motivation, some juice, some more pop in your step. It’s definitely felt. And it was rocking here today. Boy, that was fun.”
The 38-point margin of victory is the third largest in Magic playoff history. They won by 47 in Game 1 of the 1995 first round against the Boston Celtics and by 43 in Game 1 of the 2010 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks.
Banchero racked up 31 points, making him the second-youngest player in NBA history to begin his career with three straight 20-plus-point playoff games. Only LeBron James did it younger.
The 6-foot-10 Magic forward made 13 of his 26 floor shots, including four of his nine 3-pointers, to go along with grabbing 14 rebounds and dishing out five assists in just three quarters of action. He also didn’t commit a single turnover after coughing it up 15 times in the first two games of this series combined.
“When I made my first basket,” he said of when he realized he was going to have a good night. “I just threw it up and it went in. I missed the first five or six, and I knew that they were all pretty easy shots. I was kind of too excited almost, too much energy, (my shots) were too strong – left and right. So when the first one went in – it wasn’t even supposed to go in, I was really trying to get a foul – that’s when I was like, okay, I have it going from here.”
Suggs, also playing just three quarters, posted 24 points and helped limit Donovan Mitchell to only 13 points. Franz Wagner added 16 points, five rebounds and eight assists.
It took a few possessions for the Magic to get into a rhythm. After starting 0-for-9 from the field, Orlando went on a 22-9 run to take a double-digit lead going into the second period.
The Magic’s defense, meanwhile, was stout throughout. The Cavs shot just 39 percent from the field and 23.5 percent from 3-point distance. It was the first time a Magic opponent in the playoffs shot under 25 percent from 3-point land with at least 30 attempts.
Orlando out-rebounded Cleveland by 19, had 13 more second-chance points, and scored 11 more fast break points.
Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert led Cleveland with 15 points apiece.
The Magic went back to a starting lineup with Wendell Carter Jr. at center. Jonathan Isaac came off the bench. Carter was a plus-19 in his 25 minutes, while Isaac was a plus-17 in his 16 minutes.
Game 4 will take place at Kia Center on Saturday at 1 p.m. The Magic are now 30-11 in their home building this season.