CLEVELAND — The best two words in all of sports are Game 7.
It’s the stance Cavaliers All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell took in the immediate aftermath of his 50-point performance in Game 6, a 103-96 road loss to the Orlando Magic at the Kia Center. Anyone who knows anything about the NBA is waiting to learn whether Mitchell will be as fond of Game 7 after the Cavs host the Magic in a do-or-die scenario Sunday afternoon at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
The winner of the best-of-seven first-round series will advance to face the top-seeded Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals. So far, the home team has won every game. If the Cavs were to move on to the second round, it would represent a significant step for the franchise after last year’s 4-1 flop in the opening round against the New York Knicks. If the Cavs were to fail to get past the Magic, significant organizational changes would likely unfold in Cleveland — with J.B. Bickerstaff’s future as head coach and Mitchell’s unresolved contractual situation under the proverbial microscope.
Tipoff for the decisive Game 7 is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday. Check back here for updates throughout the game.
Will Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen play in Game 7? What is the injury report for the Cavs vs. Magic?
The Cavs listed starting center Jarrett Allen (rib contusion) as questionable to play in Game 7. Allen sat out Games 5 and 6 with the injury. Bickerstaff has said Allen took an elbow to the ribs in Game 4.
The Magic listed starting guard Gary Harris (hamstring strain) as questionable for Game 7. He was idle for Game 6.
The Cavs continued to rule out backup forward Dean Wade (sprained knee) and reserve point guards Craig Porter Jr. (ankle) and Ty Jerome (ankle).
There are other injuries neither the Cavs nor Magic are listing on their official injury reports.
For example, Mitchell has been playing through a left knee bone bruise, and Cavs forward Evan Mobley pushed through an ankle injury in Game 6 after suffering it in the first half.
In Game 6, Mitchell was visibly bothered by his knee injury and conceded as much afterward. He still produced the second-highest scoring total in a single playoff game in Cavs history. LeBron James holds the record with 51 points on May 31, 2018, the last year in which the Cavs won postseason series. Mitchell also scored all 18 of Cleveland’s fourth-quarter points in Game 6.
How can I watch, stream or listen to Cleveland Cavs vs. Orlando Magic in Game 7?
The game will be televised nationally by ABC. It will be broadcast locally on the radio via WTAM (1100-AM), WMMS (100.7-FM) and WNZN (89.1-FM).
Will Cavs big men deliver?:Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley were challenged by Cleveland Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff before Round 1 began
When will the winner of Cavs vs Magic Game 7 play Celtics in Eastern Conference semifinals?
The winner of the fourth-seeded Cavs and fifth-seeded Magic in Game 7 will advance to face the Celtics, the Eastern Conference’s No. 1 seed. The Celtics defeated the No. 8 Miami Heat 4-1 in the opening round. Here is the schedule for the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinals between the Cavs or Magic and the Celtics:
- Game 1: Cavs or Magic at Celtics, 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, in Boston, TNT
- Game 2: Cavs or Magic at Celtics, 7 p.m. Thursday, May 9, in Boston, ESPN
- Game 3: Celtics at Cavs or Magic — 8:30 p.m. Saturday, May 11, in Cleveland or Orlando, ABC
- Game 4: Celtics at Cavs or Magic — time TBD Monday, May 13, in Cleveland or Orlando, TNT
- Game 5: Cavs or Magic at Celtics — time TBD Wednesday, May 15, in Boston, TNT (if necessary)
- Game 6: Celtics at Cavs or Magic — time TBD Friday, May 17, in Cleveland or Orlando, ESPN (if necessary)
- Game 7: Cavs or Magic at Celtics — time TBD Sunday, May 19, in Boston, TV TBD (if necessary)
When did the Cavaliers last win an NBA playoffs series without LeBron James?
The Cavs have not won a series without James on their roster since 1993. That was Lenny Wilkens’ final season as Cleveland’s head coach. With Brad Daugherty, Larry Nance Sr. and Mark Price leading the way, the Cavs won their first-round, best-of-five series 3-2 over the Nets before being swept in four games by Michael Jordan and the Bulls in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
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What’s the Cavs’ all-time record in winning first-round NBA playoff series?
The Cavaliers are in the NBA playoffs for the 24th time in franchise history. They have won their first-round series 12 of the previous 23 times. The Cavs went 9-0 in winning first-round series with James on the team. They are 3-11 all-time without James. Their only first-round wins sans James were in 1993, 1992 and 1976.
Remember when the Cleveland Cavs beat the Orlando Magic 97-83 in Game 1 in Cleveland?
Here is our coverage from Game 1:
- Donovan Mitchell’s ferocious Game 1 dunk gives Cavs a jolt, allays concerns about his knee
- ‘We’re not friends’: The Cavs proved they won’t be pushed around against the Magic | Ryan Lewis column
- A key for Cavs? Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley answered J.B. Bickerstaff’s challenge | Nate Ulrich column
- Cavs vs Magic: Cleveland Cavaliers grind out victory in Game 1 of NBA playoff series
How the Cavs defeated the Magic 96-86 in Game 2 in Cleveland
Here is our coverage from Game 2:
- ‘He’s unbelievable’: Jarrett Allen is playing like an MVP in the playoffs
- Let’s discuss the ‘little things’ the Cavs are doing well | Nate Ulrich column
- ‘Moment and purpose’: The Cavs have rediscovered their defensive identity in the playoffs
- Here’s how the Cavaliers took down the Magic in Game 2
Looking back at the Cavaliers’ 104-103 win over the Orlando Magic in Game 5 in Cleveland
Here is our coverage from Game 5:
