Magic come back to keep reeling Cavaliers in loss column


Reuters | Los Angeles | Updated: 07-12-2019 08:15 IST | Created: 07-12-2019 07:59 IST
Magic come back to keep reeling Cavaliers in loss column
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Terrence Ross made four 3-pointers to highlight his 21-point performance as the visiting Orlando Magic recorded a 93-87 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday. Evan Fournier scored 18 points and Aaron Gordon added 14 for the Magic, who extended their winning streak to a season-high four games by defeating the Cavaliers for the third time this season. Orlando opened the season with a 94-85 victory over Cleveland and notched its first road win with a 116-104 triumph over the Cavaliers on Nov. 27.

Collin Sexton finished with 19 points and Cedi Osman added 14 for the reeling Cavaliers, who have lost five in a row and 11 of their last 12 games. Cleveland's Kevin Love sat out with an illness, with coach John Beilein telling reporters that he hopes the star forward will be able to play in Saturday's road game against Philadelphia. Love is averaging 16.7 points and 10.7 rebounds this season.

Jonathan Isaac drained his first 3-point attempt to stake Orlando to an 84-81 lead with 5:29 remaining in the fourth quarter. Isaac answered Sexton's short jumper with one of his own before Larry Nance Jr. tipped home a basket to bring Cleveland back within one with 2:19 left. Markelle Fultz and Ross each sank a pair of free throws to push the Magic's advantage to 90-85 with 52.4 seconds left. Darius Garland drained a long-range jumper for Cleveland, however, Orlando was able to secure an offensive rebound and Gordon's dunk effectively ended any bid of a comeback by the Cavaliers.

Cleveland erased a five-point deficit at halftime by scoring 11 of the first 13 points in the third quarter to take a 58-54 lead. Sexton started the run by converting a three-point play before joining Osman in draining a 3-pointer in back-to-back possessions. Osman wasn't done as he followed a layup with a short-range jumper and a 3-pointer to push the Cavaliers' advantage to 65-60. Osman scored 10 points in the quarter and Sexton added eight as Cleveland carried a 70-68 lead into the fourth.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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