EVAN MOBLEY blocked Franz Wagner’s attempted layup with five seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, helping the host Cleveland Cavaliers secure a 104-103 win over the Orlando Magic in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.
Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell erupted for 28 points, and Darius Garland scored 17 of his 23 points in the first quarter.
Max Strus had 16 points and Mr. Mobley collected 14 points and 13 rebounds for the fourth-seeded Cavaliers.
Cleveland has won all three of its home games to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series. Game 6 is in Orlando on Friday
Marcus Morris Sr. added 12 points off the bench to help a Cleveland team that was without Jarrett Allen, who was ruled out due to a right rib contusion he sustained in Game 4.
Mr. Allen averaged 17.0 points and 13.8 rebounds in four games this series. Orlando’s Paolo Banchero recorded 39 points and eight rebounds after being limited to just nine points on 4-of-14 shooting from the floor in Game 4.
Mr. Wagner collected 14 points and six assists and Jalen Suggs added 13 points for the fifth-seeded Magic, who have lost seven straight road games dating back to the regular season.
Mr. Banchero sank a pull-up jumper to stake Orlando to a 98-97 lead before Mr. Mobley answered on the next possession with an emphatic one-handed dunk. Mr. Mitchell added a free throw and Mr. Mobley converted a nifty feed from Garland for an easy layup to give Cleveland a 102-98 advantage with 40.6 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
Mr. Wagner made a layup to halve the deficit before his attempt at a driving layup was blocked by Mr. Mobley. Mr. Mitchell made a pair of free throws before Banchero sank a 3-pointer to cap the scoring.
Mr. Suggs made one of two free throws to give Orlando a 64-63 lead, but Cleveland answered with a 12-6 run to end the third quarter. Mr. Strus highlighted that surge by sandwiching 3-pointers around a driving layup. — Reuters
