Magic End Cavaliers' 16-Game Win Streak with 108-103 Road Triumph

The Orlando Magic outscored the Cleveland Cavaliers 61-43 in the second half, earning a 108-103 victory that snapped Cleveland's franchise-record win streak at 16 games. The Magic, now 32-27, concluded their five-game, 10-day road trip at 3-2.

Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) shoots beside Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) in the first quarter at Rocket Arena. | David Richard-Imagn Images

CLEVELAND –– Paolo Banchero's 16-foot jumpshot dropped, and suddenly, the NBA's longest-active winning streak was on the ropes.

The Orlando Magic led by a point with :45.3 seconds to play, fighting valiantly to not become the 17th straight team since Feb. 4 to fall short to the league-leading Cavaliers.

Banchero's bucket was just his sixth make from the field on his 21st attempt. And yet, the make was the 19th and final lead change of the evening. Four Cavalier three-pointers missed, and free throws from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Franz Wagner sealed Orlando's 108-103 victory.

Powered by a 61-43 second-half advantage, the Magic's 13-point comeback dealt the Cavaliers just their fifth loss at home this season. In victory, the Magic improved to 32-37 this season and concluded a winning road trip at 3-2.

"We challenged them defensively to come out and play the certain style of Magic basketball that we know we can play," Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. "Ten-day road trip, the last one, coming in here [and] they're on a 16-game win streak, you focus more on what we're doing. I think that was the key piece in that."

Banchero (24 points) and Wagner (22, 17 in the second half) combined for 46 points on 14-of-41 shooting, but they made the big plays when it counted.

Wendell Carter Jr. posted a 16-point, 14-rebound double-double, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope hit three triples on his way to scoring 15 points. Anthony Black scored 17 points off Orlando's bench.

And although he only tallied two points, Gary Harris was a game-best +17 in his 20 minutes thanks to solid and steadying defense.

"I mean, they're the reason we won the game," Banchero said of the Magic's supporting cast postgame. "We don't win the game tonight without those guys contributing."

Cleveland entered the contest with the NBA's most potent offense this year – averaging the most points (122.8) and the second-most three-point makes (16.1) per game. But Orlando held its hosts to 41.7 percent and just 10-of-40 from three, and the Magic converted 14 Cavs turnovers to 26 points.

Playoff foes a season ago, Orlando's triumph reversed fate from the two previous meetings this year. Losses this year came in this same building the first night of November in the Magic's first night without Paolo Banchero, then by 40 points at the Kia Center in late February.

"A lot," Black said of what the win over Cleveland can do. "Obviously with the way it went last time we played them, we knew we had to come in here and respond this game. Just with everything that happened last year, throughout the year and playoffs, just a big game for us. We did a good job of coming together and rallying to comeback and get the win."

Sunday's nationally televised matinee got off to a similar start. Cleveland led 38-25 after 12 minutes, shooting 61.5 percent from the field and forcing seven Magic turnovers to comfortably control the game at the quarter break.

Orlando's defense then settled, slowing Cleveland's attack down enough to let its own catch up and knot the score at 43-all with four minutes to play in the first half.

However, the good work was quickly undone with a 17-4 Cavalier run into the halftime horn, capped off with a De'Andre Hunter three, and the Magic again were down 13.

It was a different story on the other side of halftime. Leaning on its defense, Orlando outscored the Cavaliers 35-23 in the third quarter to set up a thrilling finish. It was a near inverse of the first quarter – this time, Orlando shot 52.2 percent in the frame to Cleveland's 38.1, and seven Cavalier turnovers led to 12 Magic points.

As the game tightened and time dwindled, Banchero's assessment held true. Orlando made enough plays to outlast Cleveland and earn the statement win. It was the first time in 49 games this year where the Cavaliers lost when leading after three quarters.

After a two-game absence because of a left big toe strain, Cole Anthony returned to action Sunday on a minute restriction. However, after only six minutes of action, Anthony exited the contest dealing with the same injury and did not return.

Up Next

Orlando hosts the Houston Rockets at the Kia Center on Wednesday, March 19 at 7 p.m. ET.

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