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The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic have had a unique NBA rivalry over the years. Both teams have had their fair share of ups and downs, with each team having moments of success and moments of struggle. In this post, we’ll explore the history of the Cleveland vs Orlando NBA rivalry and take a closer look at their current seasons.
05 APRIL 2023
TIME: 07:00 PM ET
The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic have faced off against each other numerous times since the Magic entered the NBA in 1989. The rivalry between these two teams began to develop in the 1990s, when both teams had some of their most successful seasons.
During the 1990s, the Orlando Magic had one of the most dominant players in NBA history, Shaquille O’Neal. O’Neal, along with fellow star player Penny Hardaway, led the Magic to three consecutive playoff appearances from 1994-1996. In 1995, the Magic and the Cavaliers faced off in the Eastern Conference Finals, with the Magic winning the series in six games. This was the first time the Magic had made it to the NBA Finals in their short history.
In the early 2000s, the rivalry between the Cavaliers and the Magic continued to develop. In 2009, the Magic made it to the NBA Finals, where they faced off against the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the Cavaliers had their own star player, LeBron James, who led the team to multiple playoff appearances and one NBA Finals appearance in 2007.
The Cavaliers and the Magic continued to face off against each other in the playoffs in the late 2000s and early 2010s. In 2009 and 2010, the Cavaliers and the Magic met in the Eastern Conference Finals, with the Magic winning both series. However, in 2016, the Cavaliers won the NBA championship, giving the team their first ever championship title.
Current Seasons:
In terms of the current season, both the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic have struggled. The Cavaliers have a record of 22-31 as of April 3rd, 2023, placing them 11th in the Eastern Conference standings. The Magic have a record of 18-38, placing them 14th in the Eastern Conference.
The Cavaliers have been led by their star player, Collin Sexton, who is averaging 20.3 points per game this season. Other key players for the Cavaliers include Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen, and Evan Mobley, all of whom have shown potential for the future of the team.
The Magic, meanwhile, have struggled with injuries and inconsistent play this season. Their best player, Jonathan Isaac, has missed significant time due to injury, while other players such as Cole Anthony and Mo Bamba have shown promise but have been inconsistent. The Magic are a young team with potential for the future, but they are still in the midst of a rebuilding process.
When it comes to head-to-head matchups this season, the Cavaliers have won both games against the Magic, with an average margin of victory of 13.5 points. In the first game on November 18, 2022, the Cavaliers won 113-98, with Collin Sexton leading the way with 24 points. In the second game on December 20, 2022, the Cavaliers won 105-89, with Darius Garland scoring 20 points and dishing out 8 assists.
