The Orlando Magic stormed back from a 21-point deficit and buried the Cleveland Cavaliers with a devastating second-half run for their second straight win.
The Orlando Magic were desperately moving the ball trying to find an open shot, getting the Cleveland Cavaliers defense scrambling. That is when Evan Fournier slipped as the ball came to him at the top of the key. Evan Fournier collected himself, catching the ball while lying on the ground. He dished it quickly to D.J. Augustin as the crowd at the Amway Center stood to cheer the effort.
There was still work to do. Effort was not enough. Maybe enough to cut into a 21-point deficit and make it a game. No, the Magic needed a little bit more to turn the game completely around.
D.J. Augustin stared down Tristan Thompson as the shot clock wound down. He drove on him and saw the paint open up. And he got to the rim for the two points.
It was part of a 16-0 run for the Magic that put the game away for good. What once was a 21-point deficit became as much as an 18-point lead for Orlando in the fourth quarter as the team defeated Cleveland 116-98 at Amway Center on Tuesday. It was the first win streak for the Magic since November and a cathartic victory to tie the season series with the defending Eastern Conference champions.
The Magic looked lifeless again coming out of the gates, giving up 43 points in the first quarter. LeBron James was getting whatever he wanted and the Magic seemed unable to stop him.
The spark came in the third quarter though in the form of Jonathon Simmons. He scored 22 of his 34 points in the third quarter, sparking a Magic run that expanded to 41-17 at one point. Jonathon Simmons was attacking the basket constantly, even passing up open 3-pointers to drive at a Cavaliers defense that could not keep him in front.
Orlando had 41 points in the third quarter alone. The team held Cleveland to just nine points in the fourth quarter. This was a close game at the time. Dwyane Wade‘s banked-in 3-pointer tied it up. The Magic proceeded to go on a 16-0 run to put the game away from there.
Orlando displayed a ton of heart and energy, beating Cleveland to loose balls and forcing turnovers from James. They stifled the Cavaliers all night. An extremely strong win if there ever was one.
Next: Mario Hezonja is brimming with confidence
The Orlando Magic are back in action after the trade deadline as they take on the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday.