The Cavaliers and Magic face off on Sunday in a winner-take-all Game 7. The victor will move on to face the Celtics in Round 2. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
The Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers have saved us. From what, you may ask? From a Round 1 without a single Game 7. Every other series in Round 1 ended without a winner-take-all contest, but the Magic and Cavs are going the distance.
Both teams are trying to reach the second round of the playoffs for the first time in a few years. The Cavs haven't been to Round 2 since 2017-2018. But the Magic haven't been to the second round since 2009-2010, and have four first-round exits since.
The Magic have an even taller mountain to climb today than the Cavs. They're playing the Cavs in Cleveland, and home teams have an advantage not just in general, but in this series specifically: all six games in this series have been by the home team.
Can the Magic beat the Cavs at home for the first time in this series? Can the Cavs beat a young, hungry Magic team? Follow along here for all the action from Game 7.
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Liz Roscher
Liz Roscher
For the first time in six years, the Cavaliers are headed to the second round of the NBA playoffs, defeating the Magic 106-94. It was a group effort, with Donovan Mitchel, Max Strus, Evan Mobley, and Darius Garland coming alive in the second half to stuff the Magic and send them back to Orlando.
It looked like Paolo Banchero and this young Magic team were going to walk away with it in the first half, at one point holding an 18-point lead over the Cavs. But the Cavs came out of halftime a different team. Led by Mitchell, the Cavs took control within the first two minutes of the third quarter and never gave it up.
Banchero is doing what he can for the Magic, but even he's running out of, well, magic. He's played over 40 minutes and in the second half was often the only Magic player with a spark. He's been trying to make anything happen after that dominant first half, but he hasn't gotten much help.
Paolo Banchero muscles his way into the bucket for 36 PTS 💪
A few guys are playing hurt right now. Jalen Suggs has been limping for several minutes. Paolo Banchero appeared to land awkwardly with around four minutes left in the 4th. Darius Garland hurt his hand before he shot a few free throws. It's been a physical game, and there's still more to go.
Liz Roscher
What a difference 12 minutes can make. The Magic were on top at the end of the second quarter, with a 10-point lead and a Cavs team looking confused and directionless.
At the end of the third, the Cavs have an eight-point lead and outscored the Magic by 18 points in the quarter.
Max Strus' back-to-back threes just gave the Cavs their biggest lead of the game — six points. Strus has come alive in the second half and the crowd is loving it.
The Cavs haven't had a lead since the opening minutes of the game. But with 3:39 left in the third quarter, they took a two-point lead thanks to Caris LeVert's free-throws.
But without Mitchell taking control, they wouldn't have a lead. He's 10-for-21 with 32 points. It's his game now.
Donovan Mitchell has been stepping it up in the third quarter. He's got 24 points in 27 minutes on 7-of-18 shooting, just one point less than Orlando's Paolo Banchero.
Just two minutes into the third quarter, the Cavs have been in charge on the court. They narrowed the deficit to just four points and look like a different team.
Liz Roscher
Paolo Banchero is putting everyone on notice.
Paolo Banchero is second player age 21 or younger to score 20+ points in a half in a Game 7.
After a long run of success for the Magic, a few calls in a row go the Cavs' way. They've managed to knock Orlando off their game with just over two minutes left in the first half. Cleveland has a lot of ground to make up to put themselves in a good position to start the third quarter, but the crowd is back in it, which should help.
Cleveland is shooting 22% so far (0 of 8 from 3). Big reason Orlando has opened up a big lead early in the 2nd quarter. Banchero's hot start is another reason.
Nashville's ABC affiliate appears to be a bigger fan of ocean shows than NBA basketball.
Nashville's ABC affiliate is joining Game 7 in progress at 12:30 local time so it can air "Ocean Mysteries with Jeff Corwin." Got to love local affiliates. https://t.co/BBnzSxVw5T
Welcome to the first and only Game 7 of the NBA playoffs so far. The Magic and Cavs have gifted us a winner-take-all contest on this Sunday afternoon, and you can follow all the action right here.
Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff started the day with the grumpy, incredulous energy you can only get from an NBA head coach before a Game 7.
“You are a god damn genius.”#Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff when he was asked if Game 7 was a must win game.
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