Cleveland dominates Orlando once again with a 2-0 lead in the first round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs. The fourth-seeded Cavaliers will try to extend their winning streak and increase their series lead to 3-0 as they go on the road to face the Magic in Game 3 at the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida. Star players Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and Darius Garland led the charge for the Cavs with a balanced offensive performance in the first two games. Will they continue their dominance in Orlando? Watch Game 3 live on NBA TV or stream it online.
Cleveland Cavaliers Extend Lead to 2-0 in Eastern Conference Playoff Series with Dominant Win over Orlando Magic
The Cleveland Cavaliers continued their impressive playoff run with a convincing 109-99 victory over the Orlando Magic in Game 2 of their first-round NBA Eastern Conference Playoff series. The win gives the Cavs a commanding 2-0 lead heading into Game 3 in Orlando.
Star guard Donovan Mitchell led the charge for the Cavaliers, posting a game-high 25 points. Evan Mobley added 22 points and 12 rebounds, while Jarrett Allen contributed 18 points and 10 rebounds. Darius Garland chipped in 16 points and 11 assists.
The Magic were led by Franz Wagner's 23 points. Paolo Banchero and Cole Anthony added 19 and 16 points, respectively.
The Cavaliers dominated the game from the start, jumping out to a 14-point lead in the first quarter. They extended their lead to 21 points in the second quarter and led by as many as 28 points in the third quarter.
The Magic made a late run in the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to single digits, but the Cavaliers held on for the win.
Background
The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic have a long and storied history, dating back to the 1980s. The two teams have met in the playoffs on several occasions, including a memorable seven-game series in the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals.
The Cavaliers are the defending Eastern Conference champions and are looking to make a run at a second consecutive NBA title. The Magic, meanwhile, are making their first playoff appearance since 2019.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. What is the current score in the series?
The Cleveland Cavaliers lead the Orlando Magic 2-0 in the first round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs.
2. When is Game 3?
Game 3 will be played on Friday, April 21st at the Kia Center in Orlando, Florida.
3. Where can I watch Game 3?
Game 3 will be broadcast live on NBA TV or streamed online.
4. Who is the favorite to win the series?
The Cleveland Cavaliers are the heavy favorites to win the series, given their experience and star power.
5. What are the Cavs' chances of winning the NBA championship?
The Cavs are one of the favorites to win the NBA championship this season, but they will face stiff competition from teams like the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, and Golden State Warriors.
The first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals is set to be an exciting match-up as Arsenal and Newcastle face off. The Gunners are looking to add another trophy to their cabinet, but they'll have to navigate without key players against a confident Newcastle side. With a lineup that includes Martin Ødegaard and Alexander Isak, both teams will be vying for the advantage before their trip to St. James' Park. Catch all the action for free on ITV and ITVX in the UK.
The second ODI between New Zealand and Sri Lanka is set to take place in Hamilton and promises to be an action-packed match. With players like Rachin Ravindra and Will Young leading the teams, fans can expect thrilling performances on the field. Make sure to tune in for updates and coverage on Sportstar.
In the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, Arsenal suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Newcastle United. The Gunners were only able to register three shots on target, leaving Arteta disappointed with their lack of clinical finishing. He highlighted Gabriel Martinelli's missed opportunity in the first half as a turning point in the match, as Newcastle went on to secure a two-goal lead and a strong advantage heading into the second leg. With only two teams in the competition's history failing to progress after winning the first leg away from home, Arteta and his team face a daunting task as they aim to turn the tie around in the return fixture.
Newcastle United took a big step towards the League Cup final with a 2-0 win against Arsenal in the first leg of their semi-final match. Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon both scored for the Magpies, who are seeking their first major trophy since 1969. While Arsenal have been on form in the Premier League, they struggled to keep up with Isak's impressive performance in this crucial match.
As Derrick Henry, star running back for the Baltimore Ravens, celebrates his 30th birthday, he selflessly donated his game-worn and signed cleats to raise awareness for Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Partnering with the Axe ALS Foundation, Henry shared a post on his Instagram story encouraging fans to join the cause and participate in a giveaway to win the one-of-a-kind cleats. This generous gesture comes just before a crucial match against the Cleveland Browns, where fans are eager to see Henry perform on the field once again.
After sitting out the win against Brentford due to illness, Arsenal striker Kai Havertz is set to make a comeback for their upcoming match against Brighton & Hove Albion. Manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that the German is ready to return to the squad and may feature in the starting line-up. Additionally, there is positive news regarding Raheem Sterling and Takehiro Tomiyasu's return from injury, while Ben White is progressing well in his recovery and could make an early comeback.
The January transfer window is yet to see any big deals, but that could all change if Chelsea's plans to sell players to finance the return of Marc Guehi are successful. Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham and Newcastle are also expected to be active in the market, while teams in the relegation battle will be looking to strengthen. Stay tuned to Express Sport for all the latest transfer updates.
In their Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg match against Newcastle, Arsenal suffered a 2-0 loss at home. Despite having 23 shots and generating 3.09 expected goals, Arsenal failed to score, with just three shots on target. Manager Mikel Arteta attributed part of the team's poor finishing to the difference in the ball used in this competition – made by Puma – compared to the one used in the Premier League, which is manufactured by Nike.
In a thrilling match, Newcastle emerged victorious with a 2-0 away win over Arsenal in the first leg. However, there were questions raised over Alexander Isak's opening goal, with suggestions of a push on Martin Odegaard being missed by VAR. Despite this, Isak brushed off any accusations, stating it was just part of the game. Arsenal's coaching staff also came under scrutiny for not marking Isak, who has been in top form recently. Will Newcastle hold on to their advantage in the second leg? That remains to be seen.
As the January transfer window opens, Arsenal are on the lookout for a new striker and their interest seems to be focused on Wolves' Matheus Cunha. The Gunners are in need of more goalscoring options, with midfielder Bukayo Saka their top contributor and out injured. While they have been linked with other attacking players, many are keeping an eye on the red-hot Cunha, who has already netted 10 goals for strugglers Wolves this season. However, the striker's recent involvement in unsavoury scenes after a match could hinder a potential move, with Cunha avoiding a longer suspension thanks to some luck.