Top Stories

• Cavs win Game 7

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Games of the day

Last Night’s Top Games! (link to the box scores of every game from yesterday)

Donovan Mitchell scored 39 points, Caris LeVert added 15 and Cleveland avoided a franchise changing loss by coming back for a 106-94 win over the Orlando Magic in Game 7 to advance in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Cavs trailed by 18 in the first half and were in close being eliminated early for the second year in a row, a situation that may have led to firings. According to the NBA, Cleveland's comeback is the largest in a Game 7 since the league began tracking play by play in 1997. Evan Mobley grabbed 16 rebounds and Darius Garland had 12 for Cleveland, which won its first playoff series without LeBron James since 1993. Paolo Banchero scored 38 — just 14 after halftime — and added 16 rebounds to lead the Magic, who matured as the series went on but couldn't figure out how to win in Cleveland as both teams won on their home floors. Franz Wagner and Jalen Suggs went a combined 3 of 28 from the field. Wagner himself was 1-15 from the field, the worse shooting percentage of all time in a Game 7.

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Around the League

• The Magic are well on their way to becoming a yearly playoff threat. Their size is in the top percentile of the NBA. Eight of their 11 most used players this season were 6-foot-9 or taller, and the ninth, rookie point guard Anthony Black is 6-foot-7. Their size isn't just raw athleticism, either. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are two of the best ball-handlers of their size in the NBA. Wendell Carter Jr., Jonathan Isaac and Mo Wagner can all shoot at least a bit. Together, they helped the Magic rank third in defense this season despite having the NBA's fifth-youngest roster. Generally speaking, the plan is working. Orlando is looking at $35 million or more in cap space this offseason, a figure it could increase significantly by dropping team options on Joe Ingles and Mo Wagner which is unlikely, but possible under the right circumstances. They could go out and sign a top player like Paul George, or look to get a player that would fit their team such as Klay Thompson. Regardless, Orlando has a plan for the future and it’s working.

• Injury Updates: Maxi Kleber (shoulder) is out indefinitely. Julius Randle (shoulder) is out for the season. Benedict Mathurin (shoulder) underwent surgery and is out for the season. We wish all these guys speedy and successful recoveries.

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NBA Playoff Matchups

Eastern Conference

(1) Boston vs (4) Cleveland: Series is 0-0

With a healthy Jarrett Allen, Cleveland has the size and defense to contend with Boston. Expect them to actually give Boston a run for their money.

Prediction: Celtics in 7

(2) Knicks vs (6) Pacers: Series is 0-0

Indiana doesn’t play both sides of the ball like New York does, and Tyrese Haliburton is going to have to actually play defense.

Prediction: Knicks in 5

Western Conference

(1) OKC vs (5) Dallas: Series is 0-0

OKC has enough shooting to keep up with the Mavs, but the duo of Luka/Kyrie plus their size will ultimately be the deciding factor.

Prediction : Dallas in 6

(2) Nuggets vs (3) Timberwolves: Series 0-1

(Game 1) Minnesota came out guns blazing, with Ant Man dropping 43 points. If Joker can’t find a way to be effective and efficient against the bigs of Minnesota, Denver could be in serious trouble.

Prediction: Wolves in 6

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Overtime Thoughts

Hoopgrids

Hoopgrids is a daily basketball trivia game. You cross match each category to find a player that fits both. The rarer the player, the lower the score. The goal is to get the lowest rarity score possible.