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Orlando Magic Grades: Orlando Magic 120, Cleveland Cavaliers 91

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 14: D.J. Augustin #14 of the Orlando Magic takes open dunk against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 14, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 14: D.J. Augustin #14 of the Orlando Magic takes open dunk against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 14, 2019 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Orlando Magic came out with fire and determination, and a bit of anger, topping the Cleveland Cavaliers with a dominant victory.

38. Final. 91. 156. 120

The Orlando Magic were patient. They sought their opportunity and sought their chances to attack throughout the night. But sometimes they just had to make something happen.

Aaron Gordon stared down his defender and put on an array of dribble moves. He was getting to the basket and no one was going to stop him this time. Certainly not Jordan Clarkson.

He eased by him and took the bump and layed it in, sending the Amway Center to cheers. That was certainly a highlight play in an 120-91 blowout win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday. It was an exclamation point on a game where the Magic led by as much 32 points and had the game well in hand by the end of the first half.

That is the icing on the cake when a team plays with a chip on its shoulder. For a team that needs every win it can get and every bit of confidence to stay in this competitive Playoff race, it was a welcome sigh of relief. The team was angry and upset with its play of late and determined to change it.

They did that and more, putting in what Steve Clifford called one of the team’s most complete performances of the year.

Their lead was actually built on the back of the team’s defensive effort throughout the game and the basic offensive principles that command the team in victories. From the moment the Magic took control of the game, they never truly let up. Maybe the grip loosened in the third and fourth quarter after the Magic had the lead, but they quickly took back control.

That was thanks to a defense that gave up 40.7 percent shooting and just 7-for-31 shooting from beyond the arc. That was thanks to a defense that forced 15 turnovers and had countless more deflections, disrupting Cleveland’s offense. It came also because the team was more tied together and dialed in than they have been in some time.

The defense led the way for the Magic exactly how it was supposed to. And once Orlando’s defense got stops the team moved the ball effectively and torched the Cavaliers defense. They got into the paint and kicked it out for open shots. They worked the ball to the post for easier scoring opportunities. And they rarely settled for poor jumpers.

The Magic should know who their opponent was. But they took care of business in a professional and composed manner. It was about time they did.

AARON GORDON. A-. Sometimes a team has to get back to basics. Plain and simple. Everything has to go back to its most simplistic form to find success. that is the easiest way to get past any struggles. That is what <a href=. F. Orlando Magic

Orlando Magic. NIKOLA VUCEVIC. A-. <a href=. C

KHEM BIRCH. A. The Orlando Magic undoubtedly need some added boost of the bench to stay in games and play at their best. <a href=. C. Orlando Magic

PG. Orlando Magic. D.J. AUGUSTIN. B+. <a href=

C. The Cleveland Cavaliers have been playing a lot better lately and certainly showed at times how much they could hurt the Orlando Magic. They drove into the paint well throughout and several players got the better of their one-on-one matchups on several occasions. But those advantages were few.<p>The Cavaliers missed a lot of shots and struggled to break the Magic’s defense all night. Orlando did a good job locking them down and flooding the strong side, giving few driving lanes. The Magic simply closed off any lane for them to the basket. And then Cleveland got in its own way with 16 turnovers for 26 Orlando points.</p><p>The Cavaliers were not providing a ton of resistance defensively either. Orlando was able to drive into the paint and get open shots throughout much of the evening. Even when Orlando went cold, Cleveland could not make a push for the lead. It was a thorough domination.</p>. 17-52. 14th East. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

The Orlando Magic continue their homestand Sunday against the Atlanta Hawks. They are now 1.5 games behind the Miami Heat for the eighth and final Playoff spot.

dark. Next. Orlando Magic's leaders must set the tone

With the win, the Magic are eliminated from receiving the top odds to win the NBA Draft Lottery. With one more win or one more Chicago Bulls loss, the Orlando Magic will be eliminated from receiving the fourth-best odds to win the NBA Draft Lottery.