Jim Ingraham: Sloppy second half shows Cavs still have work to do as series shifts to Orlando

CLEVELAND — Just when you thought the Cavs might have this playoff thing figured out they turned what could have been a masterpiece into some sort of unintelligible basketball graffiti before holding on by the skin of their skin to beat the upstart Orlando Magic in four quarter street fights. The final score: Cavs 96, Magic 86, chaos everywhere. Following a first half when the Cavs couldn't have played much better, they followed with a second half in which they couldn't have played much worse. That's what can happen when you play a gang of playoff neophytes like Orlando, who don't know what they don't know and play hard regardless. Cleveland's first-half masterpiece was to overcome its and second-half rugby match as the Cavs won and will take a 2-0 lead in the series to Florida for the next two games, which couldn't possibly be any more schizophrenic or sloppy than Monday night's second-half pie fight. The first half was about a dazzling and efficient as the Cavs have played in a while. Donovan Mitchell scored 14 of the Cavs' first 20 points in leading the way that for a large chunk of the first half looked like it was going to be a walk in the park for the home team. Everything was working on offense and defense for the Cavs in the first half. Cleveland had terrific scoring balance in the first half. The Cavs had 58 points and only one player (Mitchell) had double figures. The Magic, however, are going to be a load for the Cavs in the next two games in Orlando. They are young, feisty and physical. Indeed, the theme of this series, before it even started, was how physical would it be? As we all know, the Cavs got quickly bounced out of the playoffs last by the Knicks who basically just threw the Cavs aside on their way to the second round. Orlando's players aren't as experienced or as physical as the Knicks, but the Magic's roster is filled with young, exuberant players who are by no means intimidated by the Cavs. In the second half most of the shots by both teams fell into the category of "contested" and "highly contested." "We also did a good job of being physical," said Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff. The Cavs' defense in the first half was superb, and the offense was productive and well-balanced. But then came the second half when the Cavs at times put it into cruise control while the Magic fought back by putting it into bruise control. In the last two quarters there were skirmishes on almost every possession with neither team backing down. It was ugly to watch, but should aid the Cavs going forward because, well, they need to be roughed up a little as a reminder of what's at stake in the playoffs, and how much the intensity of playoff basketball increases from the regular season. To that end, the third and fourth quarters frequently looked like a cross between roller derby and a football game. Bodies were flying everywhere, and so were errant shots and turnovers. At one point Mitchell left the game briefly, holding his abdomen. He returned in the second half, but was less of a factor than he was in the first half. But it's still always good to have him on your side when your team desperately needs a basket. Mitchell, as he usually does, delivers. Now the hostilities move to central Florida for the next two games, and we'll see how the Cavs stand up to Orlando's Kiddie Corps, who play with the swagger of seasoned veterans. But again, the Magic players don't know what they don't know about playoff basketball. But they have Ph.D's in playing hard, playing tough and not backing down. The Cavs found that out in the first two games of the series, and now they are going to find out the reverse of it during the two games in Orlando. The Magic figure to be even more physical and more aggressive during the next two games in their home arena. "It's hard to simulate in the regular season. We have to go through some of these things," said Mitchell, of the challenge that awaits the Cavs in Florida. Monday night at home, the Cavs were in control for most of the game, but there were times when it seemed like it was slipping away. The crowd helped get the Cavs back online, but that won't be the case in Florida. Mitchell, of course, is a great security blanket for a team that needed one Monday night, and will need one again in Orlando. In the first two games the Cavs, unlike last year vs. the Knicks, have responded to the physicality by their playoff opponent. They won both games. But now they must do it two more times, in a hostile environment, to end the series. Contact Jim Ingraham at Jingraham4@gmail.com and follow him @Jim_Ingraham on X.