NBA Playoffs: (4) Cleveland Cavaliers @ (5) Orlando Magic, Game 6

The Cavaliers (48-34) can punch their ticket to the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the first time since 2018 if they can manage to escape the Magic Kingdom with a win, though that is far from assured given their struggles in Central Florida thus far. After manhandling Orlando in Games 1 and 2, the Magic flipped the script in Games 3 and 4, relegating Cleveland below 90 points in each outing on 42.9% shooting and a miserable 23.5% shooting from beyond the arc. Simply put, it's hard to win in the postseason when you are building a brick house from the perimeter, but such has been life for (HC) J.B. Bickerstaff & Co away home in this series. Fortunately, were much better in that regard in Tuesday's 104-103 thriller, netting 13-of-37 treys (35.1%) for a +12 advantage in Game 5. The Cavs also pummeled the visitors in the paint (+12), while exploiting their youthful mistakes in turning 14 turnovers into 17 points. The Backcourt of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland combined for 51 points despite the former shooting just 9-of-23 from the field (39.1%) and 1-of-7 from three (14.3%).

Things to Know: Tuesday's narrow victory clearly hasn't swayed the public, with just 8% of all wagers being placed upon the Cavaliers, with only 38% of the money siding with Bickerstaff & Co. Cleveland has been fairly mediocre against the spread this season, posting a 40-45-1 record in that regard, equating to a net loss of 8.64 units. The Cavs have failed to cover 7 straight playoff games as an underdog, while owning 5 consecutive non-covers when returning from 2 days' rest. Their shooting has completely betrayed them in their 2 games in Central Florida thus far, shooting 12-of-51 from beyond the arc (23.5%) and have been outscored by 39 points in that particular category. They have also been manhandled on the glass in those affairs (-33). This likely has a lot to do with the status of (veteran Center) Jarrett Allen, who has been bothered by a rib contusion that ultimately sidelined him altogether for Game 5. The big fella has averaged 17.0 points on 67.6% shooting, with 13.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.0 block in the first 4 games of this series. He is listed as questionable to participate in tonight's clinching scenario. Historically, the Cavaliers are 9-1 all-time in series that they've owned a 3-2 lead, with the lone loss coming back in the 2006 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Pistons.

Playmaker to Watch: It would be easy to go with Mitchell here, but the name to watch is Mobley. The third overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft has experienced his share of ups and downs in the Playoffs, particularly in this series; the 22-year-old was effective in Game 1 with 16 points and 11 rebounds on 50.0% shooting but had a rough go at it in the next 3 contests, shooting just 42.9% shooting and logging only 6.0 rebounds. Thankfully, Mobley was instrumental in Tuesday night's victory, holding down both ends of the hardwood as Allen was sidelined with a bruised rib, with 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting (63.6%) and 13 rebounds, along with 4 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks, one of which saved the Cavaliers from falling behind 2-3. The Playoffs is where these young stars come of age and given that his team option is looming and far from assured, how he performs in tonight's clinching scenario will go a long way towards clarifying his future.

Meanwhile, it has got be frustrating for the Magic (47-35) to have come so close to taking a 3-2 lead with an opportunity to clinch on their homecourt. However, such is life in the Playoffs, particularly for a young team learning to compete at such a high level. Needless to say, Orlando appeared overwhelmed in Games 1 and 2, in which they could muster just 83 and 86 points on a cumulative 34.3% shooting with nearly as many turnovers (14.0) as assists (17.0). Thankfully, (HC) Jamahl Mosley's charges found their shooting touch as the series shifted to Kia Center for Games 3 and 4, where erupted for 116.5 points on an efficient 53.3% shooting, including 39.7% from downtown, with 24.0 assists in comparison to committing 12.5 turnovers. Tuesday's narrow loss was an amalgamation of what preceded it; the visitors shot better overall (46.2%) and planted their flag at the charity stripe (22-of-29 FT), though could carry over that shooting touch from the perimeter (9-of-31 3FG), while struggling to take care of the basketball (14 turnovers) or finish around the rim despite Cleveland being without the aforementioned Allen. (All-Star Forward) Paolo Banchero was sublime with 39 points on 14-f-24 shooting (58.3%), 4-of-7 from three (57.1%), and 7-of-8 from the free-throw line (87.5%), along with 8 rebounds, and 4 assists, though he did lead the team with 5 turnovers. Furthermore, the rest of the rotation was pretty poor, shooting just 40.7% overall and 5-of-24 from long range (20.8%). With that being said, they had an opportunity to take the lead in the waning moments, though (emerging Forward) Franz Wagner's would-be go-ahead layup was blocked by the aforementioned Mobley.

Things to Know: After getting overwhelmed in Games 1 and 2, the Magic have firmly captured the favor of the public, as a commanding 92% of all wagers placed on this game have sided with Mosley & Co. There hasn't been a better bet than Orlando against the spread this season, who have posted a stellar 54-33 record thus far, equating to a net profit 16.09 units, the most of any team in the Association. This is a team that is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games, while 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home meetings with the Cavs. The tandem of Banchero and Wagner have combined for 44.8 points, 14.4 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks in this series, though the former has turned the ball over 24 times, which accounts for 35.8% of his team's total. It is no secret that Mosley needs more from his Backcourt, which has been one of the least-productive in the league this season, though Jalen Suggs has proven capable of making a positive impact. A defensive stopper by trade, the 2021 fifth overall pick has averaged 14.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.4 steals in this series, though has struggled mightily from downtown (6-of-25 3FG). Historically, the Magic are 2-2 all-time in series that they trail 2-3, with the only victories coming during their run to the 2009 NBA Finals.

Playmaker to Watch: Banchero, all day, folks. When you're drafted number one overall (2 picks ahead of Mobley) by a franchise in dire need of a reboot and you have been at the forefront of their exponential growth over the last two seasons, the Playoffs is the stage in which you need to be at your best. Through 5 games, the 21-year-old has been as advertised, averaging 24.8 points on 48.5% shooting and 11-of-29 from three (37.9%), 7.2 rebounds, and 4.4 assists. Given their struggles in the Backcourt, Orlando has continued to funnel the attack through the talents of Banchero and Wagner, with the former asserting himself in Games 3 and 5, scoring 31+ points, while taking a backseat in his team's 23-point victory in Game 4 with just 9 points on 4-of-14 shooting (28.6%). Again, the first venture into the postseason is oftentimes a learning experience for these young stars, as Banchero, and by extension, the Magic, are finding out firsthand.

Our Take: Magic 109, Cavaliers 99