ORLANDO, Florida – Sometimes there is a lot to overcome.
That was the case with the Cleveland Cavaliers with a few players on Monday night, losing the first of this two-game series against the Orlando Magic, 103-83.
Entering the night without six players, Cavs lost another minute of confrontation, when Dante Exum left with a sprained right calf and did not return.
Exum was already starting in place of rookie Isaac Okoro, who returned to the team on the bench for the first time since December 26, but is still bothered by a sprained foot. Nor did the Cavs have young playmaker Darius Garland, sidelined due to a strain in his right shoulder, forced to watch the game in front of the bench between Cleveland coaches.
These absences forced coach JB Bickerstaff to change his lineup once again. He used a different sixth starting lineup, Damyean Dotson in place of Garland and Collin Sexton switching to point guard.
As if that weren’t challenging enough, Exum’s early departure left Bickerstaff with just 10 playable bodies, some guys who wouldn’t be taking action in a normal situation. He used double-handed player Lamar Stevens for the third time this year. Marques Bolden made his fourth appearance. Dean Wade and Thon Maker set the season record in minutes.
Even with Orlando scoring the first 10 points of the game and the Cavs digging one more hole at the beginning, Bickerstaff’s brave pack fought – until they couldn’t do it anymore. They lost by just two points in the interval and took the first advantage of the night at the 10:44 mark of the third quarter with Dotson punching a 3 points.
It was short-lived. The Magic had a 16-5 run in the next four minutes. Then they rebuilt their lead to double digits, where she remained for the rest of the game.
Collin Sexton extended his streak from 20 points to seven, leading with 24 points out of 10 out of 19 shots. Cedi Osman scored 18 points for the final with seven assists and five rebounds. Dotson, in his first start at Cavs, took advantage of the increased playing time. Dotson scored 16 points out of 6 out of 10 field shots.
Aaron Gordon from Orlando had a balanced attack with 24 points and 11 hits. Nikola Vucevic added 23 and eight.
Cleveland scored 34 points during a miserable and exhausting second half. The Cavs lost strength – and then capable rotation players.
They defied the odds earlier this season. But on Monday night the pile of wounded, confused lineups and players in different roles finally caught up with them.
Next
The Cavs will play Magic once against Orlando in Wednesday night. Delivery is scheduled for 19h
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