Cleveland, OH

Lesson learned? Who’s to blame? Being real about the Cavs’ loss to Orlando – Terry Pluto

Published

2 years ago

April 28, 2024

Press Room

Lesson learned? Who’s to blame? Being real about the Cavs’ loss to Orlando – Terry Pluto

CLEVELAND, Ohio – “It’s one game, lesson learned.”

That’s what coach J.B. Bickerstaff said after the Cavs lost 121-83 in Orlando on Thursday.

It was the most lopsided playoff loss in franchise history. It came after the Cavs won the opening two games in Cleveland, as the best-of-seven series is still 2-1 in their favor.

But I have a question: Why did the Cavs have to “learn” any lesson about Game 3?

It was a surprise a young Orlando team would be inspired on its home court? It was a surprise the crowd was loud? It was a surprise …

I’ll stop right there.

No surprise, period.

Not for the Cavs, who have far more playoff experience than the Magic. I’m not simply criticizing Bickerstaff. The coach said Orlando would be a different team at home and stressed that to his players.

Veterans such as Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Georges Niang, Caris LeVert and others know that. Evan Mobley, Darius Garland and Isaac Okoro had their first painful playoff experience last season when the Cavs were overwhelmed by New York in five games.

As bad as that team was in Madison Square Garden in 2023, this performance was worse.

Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff had no answers for the Orlando in Game 3. AP

IT WAS MORE THAN THE FIRST QUARTER

“It was the first quarter,” said Bickerstaff. “They set the tone. They came out and played with a sense of urgency … They set the tone, and we were chasing them.”

This was true, but only to an extent.

A nervous and hyped-up Orlando team missed its first nine shots. That’s right NINE misses to open the game. The Cavs had a 10-3 lead in the middle of the first quarter.

Then … nothing.

At the end of the first quarter, Orlando had a 31-21 lead.

I repeat, the score was 31-21 … not 131 to 21. There are lots of 10-point swings in most NBA games.

That is not game over. It’s more like “game on,” as in Orlando was not about to fall behind and stay behind as it did in the first two games in Cleveland.

PLAYOFF PSYCHOLOGY

What often happens on the road is something like this: The home team trailing in a series comes out strong. It grabs an early lead as it is fueled by the crowd and a sense of desperation.

The Magic knew that if they lost, the series was over. The record of teams down 3-0 in a series and then winning it … 0-191.

For Orlando, it was now or never.

For the Cavs, it was almost like, “Hey, we’ll get them next game.”

That was the wrong attitude.

There often is an emotional drop when the home team takes an early big lead – especially a team with so little playoff experience. Then they become vulnerable.

That’s also a lesson most of the Cavs should have already known. If they did, they refused to act on it.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs, Orlando Magic, April 22, 2024 — Donovan Mitchell played like his knee or something was bothering him. He had only 13 points. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com

WHO IS TO BLAME?

I fault the players as much as Bickerstaff.

In the first two games, Mitchell led the first-quarter charge. He did bang his cranky knee early in the game. Perhaps that was behind his generally passive play.

Orlando also put premier defender Jalen Suggs on Mitchell, and often double-teamed the Cavs star. That should not be a shock. In fact, Orlando should have tried that earlier in the series.

So Mitchell was struggling. Where was everyone else?

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Darius Garland shot 2 of 10 for five points. Evan Mobley had only two more rebounds than you did last night. That’s right, the 7-footer had a pair of rebounds in 22 minutes.

By the middle of the first quarter, it was obvious Orlando was sending everyone to the boards for rebounds. The Cavs owned this area in the first two games.

Cleveland’s response?

Jarrett Allen had eight rebounds. Mitchell had five. No one else had more than three as the Cavs were embarrassed 51-32 on the boards.

The Cavs were a soft team, especially from a mental standpoint.

The Orlando Magic bench reacts as guard Jalen Suggs (4) celebrates his 3-point shot against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) — At least one team was inspired, as Orlando took control of the game early and the Cavs folded. AP

IT IS ONE GAME

The Cavs are back on that same court Saturday at 1 p.m.

A concern is Mitchell’s physical condition. Other than a few drives to the rim late in the first half, he displayed little quickness and leaping ability. He finished with 13 points.

Mobley needs to get back on the boards. Orlando kept putting bodies on Allen, who had 38 rebounds in the first two games. He needs help.

Anytime Strus and Niang can make a few 3-point shots would be helpful. They are a combined 3 of 24 from behind the arc.

Mitchell is only 6 of 24 on 3-pointers.

Sam Merrill played in the second half and was 3 of 4 for nine points in 22 minutes.

Hint … hint. Maybe he needs more than the four total minutes he played in the first two games.

But for the Cavs, the real story is their mental toughness. I’m stressing that part of the story. Physically, the Cavs showed they can compete on the boards and defensively with the athletic Magic.

The Cavs also are more equipped in terms of experience and emotional maturity to win this series. That needs to be on display Saturday. There are no secrets in terms of effort required to at least be competitive.

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Cleveland, OH

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

Published

9 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

22 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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