Magic outlast visiting Cavaliers to win fifth in a row

Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel on Mar 11, 2026

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ORLANDO, Fla. — Entering Wednesday’s game between the Magic and Cavaliers, Orlando owned the top defensive rating in the league since the NBA All-Star break.

Even Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson said Jamahl Mosley‘s squad was playing much better and with more confidence since the sides last met in late-January.

But the third meeting of the season between the sides was far from a defensive battle inside Kia Center in front of a national TV audience.

In a high-scoring affair that included 12 lead changes, the Magic staved off a Cleveland comeback late thanks to clutch shooting from beyond the arc and at the free-throw line to capture a 128-122 victory, marking Orlando’s fifth in a row.

After Cleveland pulled within two points with less than a minute to play, Magic guard Desmond Bane (35 points) sunk a 3-pointer with 17.4 seconds remaining.

Bane then hit two free throws after Cleveland was forced to foul late and Tristan da Silva (23) added one at the charity stripe.

James Harden scored 30 points and Donovan Mitchell added 25 for Cleveland (40-26), which turned the ball over 10 times for 12 Orlando points.

After the Cavaliers won the first two meetings in January, Orlando’s win allows the team to potentially end up splitting the regular-season series against Cleveland.

The Eastern Conference foes face each other a fourth and final time March 24 at Cleveland.

The Magic (36-28) return to Kia Center on Thursday night and host the Wizards on the second night of a back-to-back.

Banchero’s impact

Magic forward Paolo Banchero finished with 25 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

The performance was Banchero’s 75th career game with 20-plus points, five-plus rebounds and five-plus assists, tying him with Penny Hardaway for second all time in franchise history.

Rest of starters

Da Silva scored an efficient eight points in his first nine minutes of the game. The third-year pro hit a pair of triples late in the fourth quarter.

Bane also scored eight points in the first quarter, having early success driving to the basket. Converting five of his first six shots from the floor, the Magic guard had 12 points before the break, but he picked up his third foul with 4:45 left in the second quarter.

Bane pieced together a 12-point third quarter. Wednesday’s game marked his 12th time this season scoring 30-plus points.

Jalen Suggs penetrated the paint early and made his way to the free throw line, where he made three attempts. But the Magic guard didn’t score between the second and third quarters after a seven-point first frame.

His triple with 5:28 left in the game put Orlando ahead by 13 points to help him total 12 points with four assists.

Wendell Carter Jr. recorded his ninth double-double of the season by way of 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Battle of benches

Missing Anthony Black (left lateral abdominal muscle strain), Orlando’s bench was in need of an offensive boost.

That came in a combined effort from Jett Howard and Jevon Carter.

Howard hit the team’s first 3-pointer off a kickout from Banchero late in the first quarter and slammed down a one-handed driving dunk. Picking up four fouls, he ended with eight points and four rebounds in 22 minutes.

Carter missed his first four triples but converted on his fifth long-range attempt. He scored nine points in 20 minutes.

On the other side, Cavs guard Keon Ellis scored 20 points with five 3-pointers while backup big Thomas Bryant notched 12 points.

Cleveland’s bench outscored Orlando’s 36-22.

Rookie watch

Second-round pick Noah Penda entered the contest late in the first quarter. The French forward started the fourth as well, finishing with four points and two rebounds in 11 minutes.

Although he was available after missing the past two games due to back spasms, first-round pick Jase Richardson didn’t see the floor.