ORLANDO, Fla. – Sometimes there is just too much to overcome.
That was the case Monday night with shortlist Cleveland Cavaliers, who dropped the first of this series of two games against the Orlando Magic, 103-83.
The Cavs missed six players, and the Cavs lost even less than a minute into the game, when Dante Exum left with a straight calf and did not return.
Exum has already started in place of newcomer Isaac Okoro, who rejoined the team for the first time since December 26, but is still plagued by a foot sprain. The Cavs were also without young point guard Darius Garland, who was sidelined with a right-shoulder strain, and had to watch the game from the front on the bench between Cleveland’s coaches.
This absence forced head coach JB Bickerstaff to move his team up again. He used a sixth different starting lineup, Damyean Dotson replacing Garland and Collin Sexton moving to the leaderboard.
As if that was not challenging enough, Exum’s early departure left Bickerstaff with just ten playable bodies, some guys who would not get action in a normal situation. He used two-way player Lamar Stevens for the third time all year. Marques Bolden made his fourth appearance. Dean Wade and Thon Maker both scored a season high within minutes.
Even as Orlando scored the first ten points of the game, and the Cavs dug another early hole, Bickerstaff’s grim bunch struggled – until they could no longer. They trailed by just two points in the second half and took their first lead of the night at the 10:44 mark of the third quarter, with Dotson scoring a three-pointer.
It was of short duration. The Magic ran 16-5 for the next four minutes. After that, they rebuilt their lead to double figures, where it remained for the rest of the game.
Collin Sexton extended his score from 20 points to seven, leading by 24 points on 10-of-19 shooting. Cedi Osman scored 18 points to go with seven assists and five rebounds. Dotson took advantage of the increased playing time in his first start with the Cavs. Dotson scored 16 points on 6-of-10 from the field.
Orlando Aaron Gordon made a balanced attack with 24 points and 11 boards. Nikola Vucevic added 23 and eight.
Cleveland scored 34 points during a miserable, exhausting second half. The Cavs did not get any more steam – and then capable rotation players.
They braved the chance early in the season. But on Monday night, the pile of injuries, groups and players in different roles finally caught up with them.
Following
The Cavs play the Magic once against Orlando on Wednesday night. Tipoff is set for 19:00
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New Cavs face masks for sale: Here you can buy Cleveland Cavaliers-themed face masks for coronavirus protection, including a single mask ($ 14.99) and a 3-pack ($ 24.99). All NBA proceeds are donated to charity.
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