Philippines, 15 Jun 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Cavs Use Home Edge to Beat Magic in 7; Will Meet Boston Celtics in the Semi-Finals


PhilBoxing.com





In the only first round series to go the full seven games route, the home team, who else, prevailed.

The Cleveland Cavaliers exploited their homecourt advantage to turn back the Orlando Magic, 106-94 and advance to the semi-finals in the Eastern Conference against the top seed Boston Celtics.

All previous six games in this series had gone to the home team hence the Cavaliers needed their home crowd and familiarity with their Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse Arena to keep it that way.

In the first two quarters, things did not seem to go that way.

With Paulo Banchero pouring 24 points supported by center Wendell Carter and point guard Jalen Sugg, the Magic took early control of the game, even enjoying an 18 point lead on the way to 53-43 halftime bubble.

The Cavs staged a rally through Donovan Mitchell backed up by Caris LeVert, Max Struss and Darius Garland with Evan Mobley anchoring the defense with his rebounding and rim protection leading to a 33-15 third quarter fightback to wrest the lead 76-68.

In the fourth quarter, the Cavaliers continued to shoot and defend better, extending the lead to a dozen points with five minutes left. Cleveland outscored Orlando in the whole of the last quarter 30-26 to secure the comfortable win.

Mitchell who scored a playoff high of 50 points in the sixth game loss in Orlando, still led the attack in this game but tempered his output to 39 to allow more Cavs to join in the fray, so to speak. LeVert contributed 15 points, Struss 13 points, Garland 12 points and Mobley scored 11 points and 16 rebounds. Isaac Okoro and Sam Merrill chipped in 8 points each.

For Orlando, Rookie of the Year top candidate Banchero topped with 38 points but could only draw 13 points from Sugg and 10 from Carter. The usually high scoring Franz Wagner was limited to just 6 points although he also had as many rebounds and assists. Cole Anthony and Merkelle Fultz came off the bench and had 8 points each.

The Cavaliers will begin their series against the Celtics on May 8 at the TD Garden arena in Boston.

The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Ronnie Alvarez Dominates Filip Stankovic, Scores Seventh-Round TKO at Desert Diamond Arena
    , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • THE CROWNING OF BAM: Rodriguez Overcomes Early Storm to Detonate Vargas in Six, Eyes Inoue Super-Fight
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • New York Knicks win the NBA Championship with historic comeback
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Panamanian superstar Nataly Delgado wins 115lb female WBA world championship in Orlando, Florida
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • IBA Bare Knuckle to make historic United States debut in Miami
    , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Laurente remains undefeated, TKOs Aguan in Gensan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Foundation stone laid for the first-ever IBA arena in Dushanbe
    , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Jerick Faeldonia Wins One Chess Movement Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Bam Rodriguez vs Antonio Vargas & Martinez vs Cardenas Preview and Picks
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 13 Jun 2026
  • Popper vs. Seldon Jr. Official Weights for June 13 in Atlantic City
    , Sat, 13 Jun 2026
  • GLENDALE, AZ FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR BAM VS VARGAS – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Sat, 13 Jun 2026
  • Undefeated Middleweight Amir Anderson Meets Jonas Sylvain in Battle of Unbeatens on DAZN
    , Sat, 13 Jun 2026
  • Munsayac, Celones get FMA award
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 13 Jun 2026
  • Weigh-In Results for Sanman 101: Laurente Eyes Home Victory
    , Fri, 12 Jun 2026
  • Arleah Cassandra Sapuan of Valencia, Negros finishes ninth in Las Vegas chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 12 Jun 2026
  • EVERY WORD FROM THE FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE AHEAD OF BAM VS. VARGAS IN GLENDALE, ARIZONA
    , Fri, 12 Jun 2026
  • IBA President warns Olympic movement will fade unless IOC rewards athletes and reforms now
    , Fri, 12 Jun 2026
  • 2026 NBA Finals: Knicks Rally from 29 Points Down to Steal Game 4 from Spurs 107-106
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • VARGAS: BEATING BAM MAKES ME ‘THE MAN’
    , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo Hosts Media Workout Ahead of June 20 Defense Against Philippines’ Joey Canoy
    , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Sanman 101 boxing event to push through in General Santos
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Panamanian female champ star Nataly Delgado ready to beat Artiga for WBA title in Orlando, Florida
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Pedro Veitia Eager to Separate Himself in Battle of Unbeaten Middleweight Prospects June 13 in Orlando
    , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Raga, Esquillo, Ortega, Navarrete, Santos, Ripay to compete in Japan 10-Ball Open
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026
  • Chess tournament goes to Dasmarinas Cavite
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 11 Jun 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.