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Orlando Magic Grades: Orlando Magic 116, Cleveland Cavaliers 98

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 6: Jeff Green #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball against the Orlando Magic on February 6, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - FEBRUARY 6: Jeff Green #32 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball against the Orlando Magic on February 6, 2018 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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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.

A. Jonathon Simmons will go down as the hero of this game. He was the spark plug that led the Orlando Magic to make an incredible comeback in the third quarter and take the lead in the fourth. He was the one getting up and down the court and forcing things to happen. But he was never really forcing anything.<p>The Magic kept running the same pick and roll play with Simmons and the Cavaliers simply were not going to stop it. He scored 22 points in the third quarter, 29 in the second half and finished with a career-high 34 points. He shot 12 of 17 from the floor and added seven rebounds to boot.</p><p>Simmons was all over the place on both sides of the ball. Even when he got open 3-pointers, he was patient and looked to attack the gaps. He would tell you nothing was different, he just dominated a defense that was failing to communicate and overplaying his shot. He took advantage.</p>. G/F. Orlando Magic. JONATHON SIMMONS

B. Evan Fournier had the play of the night saving the ball from his backside on a key third-quarter possession. It was the kind of energy play the Orlando Magic have often lacked and the crowd fed off of it. It set up a crucial bucket to keep things rolling and give the Magic the energy they needed.<p>Fournier has hit a bit of a shooting slump at the moment though. This game saw him have some struggles, making just one of his six 3-pointers. He still found a way to contribute, although it was not in the obvious ways. He finished with 19 points on 7-for-13 shooting.</p><p>The Magic certainly need Fournier’s floor spacing. But he found other ways to contribute and contribute positively. Most importantly, as Simmons revved up, he stayed out of the way, acting as a floor spacer for Simmons’ drives to the basket.</p>. G/F. Orlando Magic. EVAN FOURNIER

A-. <a href=. C. Orlando Magic. KHEM BIRCH

Orlando Magic. ELFRID PAYTON. B. <a href=. PG

F. The Cleveland Cavaliers came out fired up and built a 21-point lead. They scored 43 points in the first quarter. LeBron James was hitting everything over <a rel=. 30-22. 3rd East. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

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.