The Magic Insider

Magic 'Poise' Helps Push Past Game 6 vs. Cavaliers

The Orlando Magic are young, but they aren't shy of the big moment in the 2024 NBA Playoffs.

Jeremy Brener

May 3, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) controls the ball in front
May 3, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) controls the ball in front / Mike Watters-USA TODAY Sports
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ORLANDO — The Orlando Magic have been tested throughout their series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, but so far, they've passed every one.

After losing the first two games to the Cavs in Cleveland, they responded by taking care of home court and tying the series with a pair of blowout victories.

They had a chance to win Game 5 on the road, but fell in the final seconds. That forced them to respond in Game 6, and even though they were trailing in the fourth quarter, the Magic found a way to win after several players stepped up. Now, the biggest test of all, Game 7, awaits. But the Magic aren't like any young team. They are battle-tested.

“There was just a poise about them," coach Jamahl Mosley said postgame. "They understood what the game plan was. They didn’t try to chase it; they knew what we were trying to accomplish down the stretch. Guys made big plays, they trusted each other, they trusted the pass. They understood who had it going and they didn’t shy away from it. It’s always been by committee. ... I mean this group is very special in the way in which they keep pulling for each other, no matter what’s happening.”

The Magic didn't play a perfect Game 6, but they didn't need to in order to grab a win. They simply needed to stay the course and trust in one another. For a team that's built like this with long defenders and young scorers, that's been the difference in competing in Game 7 and sitting on the couch.

Now, in order to make it to the next round, the Magic will have to keep that poise as they enter a hostile Cleveland environment on Sunday.

Related stories on the Orlando Magic

  • GOING TO GAME 7: The Orlando Magic will have another do-or-die game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 7 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. CLICK HERE
  • CRUCIAL COLE: Orlando Magic point guard Cole Anthony stepped up in a big way to push their 2024 NBA Playoffs series against the Cleveland Cavaliers to Game 7. CLICK HERE
  • GAME 6 RECAP: The Orlando Magic pulled out their biggest win of the season against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 6 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. CLICK HERE
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Jeremy Brener

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.