Cleveland, OH

Donovan Mitchell leads the scoring as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Orlando Magic

Published

2 years ago

April 22, 2024

Donovan Mitchell leads the scoring as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Orlando Magic

A youthful Orlando Magic team came unstuck at the hands of the Cavaliers as Donovan Mitchell led the scoring in an 83-97 victory. Depsite Mitchell’s high scoring performance, double-doubles from both Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley were key pieces in the Cavaliers’ victory.

The Cavs will have been looking to make up for last seasons first-round disappointment against the New York Knicks and victory today set them facing in the right direction.

The last time the two met, the Magic came away with a 116-109 victory, where Mitchell was not a feature due to injury. However, his impact today proved to be too much for the Orlando defence as Cleveland lead the series 1-0.

In their first play-off match for four years, the Orlando Magic couldn’t live up to Cleveland’s experience and physicality on the court and will be hoping they can show a much improved performance at home court on Tuesday, where they rank in third in the East for home form.

Story of the Game:

The game began with two back-to-back three pointers from the Cavs as they sailed into an early lead. They lead the Magic 15-0 in points gained from three-point range and it was clear that the Cavs had the edge early on when it came to shooting from distance. By the end of the first quarter, the Cavs led the Magic 33-26 while shooting 56.5% from the field and 50% from three. Mitchell and Evan Mobley ended the quarter in double figures, whilst Paolo Banchero’s eight points were the highest from the Magic.

2024 NBA Playoffs - Orlando Magic v Cleveland Cavaliers CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 20: <strong><a href= — 2024 NBA Playoffs – Orlando Magic v Cleveland Cavaliers CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 20: **Evan Mobley** #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dunks the ball during Round One Game One of the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Orlando Magic on April 20, 2024 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/NBAE via Getty Images)

In terms of experience, the Orlando Magic’s starters had played just 44 minutes together on the court, whilst the Cavs’ starters had registered 348 minutes. This was clear to see in the second quarter as the Cavaliers’ physicality and clever play was frustrating the Magic and tempers began to rise. With three minutes left in Q2, the Cavaliers managed to extend to a 14-point gap. At the half, the Cavs had a 48.7 field goal percentage, whilst the Magic had a percentage of 31.7. The Cavs had outscored the Magic by five in the second.

With the third quarter underway, the quality on the court began to diminish. The Cavaliers had three turnovers from their first six possessions and this allowed the Magic to close the gap down to just three points midway through Q3. Even worse, J.B. Bickerstaff’s team went on a 0-18 run from three point range. However Jarret Allen’s presence in the paint and Donovan Mitchell‘s quick-fire scoring saw the Cavs re-extent their lead, with a 16-5 scoring run to end the quarter. Magic 58 – 73 Cavaliers.

As the fourth and final quarter began, Darius Garland made Cleveland’s first three pointer in 31 minutes and 58 seconds, where they had managed to miss 18 straight from beyond the arch. This allowed the Cavs to soar into a 20-point lead (their largest winning margin of the game) and ultimately eliminated any hope the Magic had of coming back. A short scare came as, with five minutes to go, the Cavaliers’ reduced down to single figures but overall they came away with a comfortable 83-97 victory on home court.

Player of the Game: Donovan Mitchell

Getting the scoring underway early into the game, Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers to victory with a huge 30-point game. The former 13th overall pick contributed to some key plays and dominated on the court. The Magic were unable to handle him and he led the Cleveland Cavaliers to 1-0 lead in the play-off series.

2024 NBA Playoffs – Orlando Magic v Cleveland Cavaliers CLEVELAND, OH – APRIL 20: Jarrett Allen #31 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball during Round One Game One of the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Orlando Magic on April 20, 2024 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/NBAE via Getty Images)

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Cleveland, OH

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets prediction, pick for Sunday 3/1/26

Published

11 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets prediction, pick for Sunday 3/1/26

Cooper Albers takes you through his preview, prediction and pick for Sunday’s NBA matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets.

Eastern Conference rivals close their regular-season series on Sunday, as the Brooklyn Nets host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center.

The Cavaliers (37–24, 4th East) have dropped back-to-back games without Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, albeit against far superior competition. They’ll aim for the three-game sweep of Brooklyn without Mitchell, while Harden remains questionable.

The Nets (15–44, 14th East) are mired in a brutal seven-game losing streak, including a 112–84 thumping in Cleveland on February 19.

Here’s a look at the Injury Report:

Cleveland Cavaliers

Out: Donovan Mitchell (Groin), Max Strus (Foot), Dean Wade (Ankle)
Questionable: James Harden (Thumb), Keon Ellis (Finger)

Brooklyn Nets

Out: Egor Demin (Heel), Drake Powell (G-League Assignment)
Questionable: Nic Claxton (Thumb)

Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET. Cleveland enters as a hefty 11.5-point road favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Brooklyn sits as a +410 underdog. The game’s total is set at 222.5 points.

Cavaliers vs. Nets Preview

Cleveland Cavaliers Preview

The Cavaliers went all in at the NBA trade deadline, sending Darius Garland to Los Angeles for superstar guard James Harden. The gamble seemingly paid off, as the former MVP has fit seamlessly into the lineup alongside Donovan Mitchell. Cleveland went 6–1 after Harden’s debut, its lone loss coming against the defending champs in Oklahoma City.

But the momentum quickly stalled when both Harden and Mitchell hit the sidelines to nurse injuries. Cleveland has dropped back-to-back games in the star duo’s absence against Milwaukee and Detroit. And while Harden is listed as questionable for Sunday’s contest with a thumb fracture in his non-shooting hand, Mitchell remains out with a groin strain.

The Cavs are just 2–4 without Mitchell this season. If Harden stays out, they’ll likely keep relying on their accomplished frontcourt of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Cleveland also features a solid veteran backup point guard in Dennis Schroder, along with a reliable sharpshooter in Sam Merrill.

Brooklyn Nets Preview

Brooklyn has won five games in 2026. Five.

Were any of these wins particularly impressive? Hardly. They beat a Nikola Jokic-less Denver Nuggets, the spiraling Chicago Bulls twice, the lowly Washington Wizards, and the tanking Utah Jazz.

The Nets rank dead last on both ends of the floor since January 1, disappointing even by their standards. They’ve lost seven games in a row, punctuated by a 37-point walloping in Boston on Friday night.

Michael Porter Jr. will continue trying to carry an increasingly strained offense without rookie standout Egor Demin. Brooklyn will also lean on its burgeoning frontcourt, comprising Noah Clowney and Nic Claxton (questionable).

Cavaliers vs. Nets Pick, Best Bet

Keep an eye on the injury report for this one. If Harden remains sidelined, Cleveland may lack the offensive firepower to pull away. But if the former MVP suits up, expect him and the Cavs to carve up Brooklyn’s porous defense and comfortably cover the 11.5-point spread.

Best Bet: Cleveland Cavaliers -11.5 (-110)

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Cleveland, OH

14-year-old girl shot on Cleveland’s East Side

Published

23 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

14-year-old girl shot on Cleveland’s East Side

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A 14-year-old girl is in critical condition after being shot at a home Friday.

Police said around 7:15 p.m., officers from the Fifth District got a call for someone shot in the 1400 block of Lakeview Road.

When officers got on scene, a 14-year-old girl was found suffering from a gunshot wound.

Cleveland EMS took her to a nearby hospital, where she is listed in critical condition

A gun was recovered at the scene.

The incident remains under active investigation.

Police said additional information will be released as it becomes available.

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Cleveland, OH

Sokolowski’s University Inn co-owner dies

Published

1 day ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Sokolowski’s University Inn co-owner dies

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Former co-owner of the legendary Cleveland restaurant Sokolowski’s University Inn has died.

Michael Sokolowski(WOIO)

65-year-old Michael Sokolowski passed away on Tuesday, according to his obituary.

Established in Tremont in 1923, Sokolowski’s University Inn was Cleveland’s oldest family-owned and operated restaurant. It was a recipient of the prestigious James Beard “American Classics” Award in 2014. It closed it doors for good in 2020.

Read Obit below

MICHAEL PAUL SOKOLOWSKI, age 65; passed away peacefully on February 24, 2026. Beloved husband of Patricia (nee McCue); loving father of George McDougall (Erika) and Sara; grandfather of Nicole and Emerson; Son of the late Bernard Sr. and Marion (nee Szwejkowski); dear brother of Bernard Jr. (Mary) and Mary Lou Balbier (Ronald); loving brother-in-law, uncle and dear friend of many. Mike was the co-owner of Sokolowski’s University Inn, a Cleveland landmark restaurant since 1923 and a James Beard Award winner. He played baseball and football for Cleveland Central Catholic and graduated from Otterbein University. Michael was a member of the Greater Cleveland Umpire Association, officiating many Cleveland Indians Fantasy Camps. He loved cooking and taught classes at the Polaris Career Center for their community culinary arts program. Mike loved music, attending many concerts, and playing drums in bands and for his parish church masses. Former President of the Cleveland Society of Poles and a member of the Knights of Columbus Trinity Council. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Cleveland Central Catholic High School, 6550 Baxter Ave., Cleveland, OH 44105.

Mass of Christian burial at St. John Cantius Catholic Church, 906 College Ave, Cleveland, Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 12 noon. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Family and friends received at the church, Saturday from 10 a.m.-12 noon.

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