NBA Playoffs: Cleveland dominates Orlando during Game 7

Donovan Mitchell, of the Cleveland Cavaliers, during the decisive home victory against the Orlando Magic, in the NBA play-offs, May 5, 2024 JASON MILLER / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

Led by Donovan Mitchell, the Cleveland Cavaliers dominated the Orlando Magic at home on Sunday in Game 7 of their first round series, and will meet Boston in the semi-final.

Defeated in the first round last year by the New York Knicks, the Cavaliers won their first play-off series since 2018 and the last season of LeBron James, who failed that year in the NBA final against the Golden State Warriors .

The new boss in Ohio is now Donovan Mitchell. Arriving in 2022 from the Utah Jazz, Mitchell (27) was decisive during this indecisive series, the last of the first round to end, and particularly solid during the last two matches.

After his 50 points in Game 6 lost in Orlando on Friday, Mitchell compiled 39 points and 9 rebounds on Sunday.

“We have worked hard and we are rewarded. We must stay focused and continue to believe in what we are doing,” he told broadcaster ABC.

Mitchell was one of the architects of the comeback for the Cavs, who were on the brink of collapse during the 2nd quarter, at one point trailing by 18 points.

Opposite, Paolo Banchero confirmed all the promises of his first series of play-offs at the age of 21 (2nd NBA season), with a new boss match (38 points, 16 rebounds), however insufficient.

Play-offs NBA: Cleveland domine Orlando lors du match 7, cap sur Boston

Paolo Banchero, of the Orlando Magic, attempts to score a basket against Evan Mobley, of the Cavaliers, during the NBA play-offs, May 5, 2024 in Cleveland / Jason Miller / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

The Magic was less skillful (29 out of 86 at 33.7% compared to 34 out of 77 at 44.2%) and suffered the 15 points from Caris LeVert, who came off the bench for the Cavs, who played without their pivot Jarrett Allen (injured ribs) for the third consecutive game.

The task promises to be very difficult for Cleveland in the next round against Boston, the best team of the regular season.

The Celtics easily passed the first round against the Miami Heat (4-1) and await the Cavs for a first confrontation in the TD Garden on Tuesday.

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