Cavs vs Magic Game 2: Preview, live score updates today from Cavaliers' NBA playoff series

CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers drew first blood in their best-of-seven NBA playoff series with the Orlando Magic. Now the Cavs must show they can handle a Magic counter Monday night in Game 2 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

After the Cavs prevailed 97-83 on Saturday in Game 1, Magic All-Star Paolo Banchero told reporters Orlando shot just 32.6% from the field (28 of 86), 21.6% from 3-point range (8 of 37) and 63.3% from the free throw line (19 of 30) "and it still wasn't ever over until the last two minutes."

Banchero is right about the Magic underachieving, but the Cavs didn't have their best outing, either. For example, they shot 26.7% on 3-pointers (8 of 30) and missed 18 in a row. Whichever team adjusts better will be evident in Game 2.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday. Check back here for updates throughout the game. Until then, here is pregame information.

Cavs vs. Magic predictions

We both had the Cavs (48-34 in the regular season) winning Game 1. We both have them taking a 2-0 series lead in Game 2 versus the Magic (47-35). To see why, and who we pick for the series, click here.

What channel are the Cleveland Cavaliers on in Game 2 vs. Orlando Magic?

The game will be televised nationally by NBA TV and locally by Bally Sports Ohio. It will be broadcast on the radio via WTAM (1100-AM), WMMS (100.7-FM) and WNZN (89.1-FM).

What is the injury report for Game 2 of Cleveland Cavs vs Orlando Magic?

Injured Cavs players who were inactive in Game 1 and have also been ruled out for Game 2 are backup forward Dean Wade (sprained knee) and reserve point guards Craig Porter Jr. (ankle) and Ty Jerome (ankle). Wade has missed the past 20 games. Undrafted rookie Porter suffered a sprained ankle in the April 14 regular-season finale. Jerome underwent surgery and missed virtually the entire season.

The Magic didn't list any players on their injury report.

Cavs vs. Magic this season: Teams split their 2023-24 regular-season series

Before the Cavaliers won Game 1, the Cavs and Magic played each other four times during the 2023-24 regular season. Each team won twice, including once on the other team's home court. Here's a look at those games:

• Magic 116, Cavs 109; Feb. 22, in Cleveland

  • Notable: Mo Wagner's 22 points and seven rebounds led the Magic to a win. Max Strus (18 points and six assists) and Jarrett Allen (18 points and 10 rebounds) led the Cavs, who were without Donovan Mitchell (illness).

• Cavs 129, Magic 99; Jan. 22, in Orlando

  • Notable: Sam Merrill scored 26 points, 20 in the first half, to lead the Cavs to their eighth consecutive win. Donovan Mitchell added 25 points and 13 assists, and Jarrett Allen had a 12th straight double-double (14 points and 11 rebounds). Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 18 points and six assists.

• Magic 104, Cavs 94; Dec. 11, in Orlando

  • Notable: Despite 36 points by Darius Garland and 22 by Donovan Mitchell, the Cavs lost. Paolo Banchero scored 20 points to lead the Magic, and Franz Wagner added 19. The Cavs were without Evan Mobley (knee), and foul trouble for Jarrett Allen created problems in the second half.

• Cavs 110, Magic 101; Dec. 6, in Cleveland

  • Notable: Donovan Mitchell (35 points, seven rebounds, six assists) and Darius Garland (26 points, nine assists) led the way for the Cavs. Max Strus (17 points, five rebounds, six assists) and Evan Mobley (16 points and five rebounds) also came up big. Paolo Banchero went for 42 points to go with six rebounds and nine assists for Orlando. The Magic shot just 2 for 23 on 3-pointers.

The Cavs are 65-61 against the Magic in the regular season. Cleveland is 39-23 at home.

In the playoffs, the Cavs are 3-4 against the Magic. The Cavs suffered a 4-2 series loss to the Magic in the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals. The Cavs earned their third all-time postseason win over the Magic Saturday in Game 1.

Looking back at Cavs' 97-83 win over Magic in Game 1

Here is our coverage from Game 1:

• Donovan Mitchell's ferocious Game 1 dunk gives Cavs a jolt, allays concerns about his knee

• 'We're not friends': The Cavs proved they won't be pushed around against the Magic | Ryan Lewis column

• A key for Cavs? Jarrett Allen, Evan Mobley answered J.B. Bickerstaff's challenge | Nate Ulrich column

• Cavs vs Magic: Cleveland Cavaliers grind out victory in Game 1 of NBA playoff series

• Cavs vs Magic Game 1 score, highlights: Cavaliers top Orlando Magic to take series lead

Cavs vs Magic NBA playoffs schedule

• Game 1: Cavs 97, Magic 83

• Game 2: Magic vs. Cavs — 7 p.m. Monday, April 22, in Cleveland, NBA TV

• Game 3: Cavs vs. Magic — 7 p.m. Thursday, April 25, in Orlando, NBA TV

• Game 4: Cavs vs. Magic — 1 p.m. Saturday, April, 27, in Orlando, TNT

• Game 5: Magic vs. Cavs — Tuesday, April 30, in Cleveland (if necessary)

• Game 6: Cavs vs. Magic — Friday, May 3, in Orlando (if necessary)

• Game 7: Magic vs. Cavs — Sunday, May 5, in Cleveland (if necessary)

NBA playoff bracket: Eastern Conference first round

• (1) Boston Celtics lead series 1-0 vs. (8) Miami Heat

• (2) New Knicks lead series 1-0 vs. (7) Philadelphia 76ers

• (3) Milwaukee Bucks lead series 1-0 vs. (6) Indiana Pacers

• (4) Cleveland Cavaliers lead series 1-0 vs. (5) Orlando Magic

The winner of the Cavs-Magic series advances to the Eastern Conference semifinals to play whichever team prevails between the top-seeded Boston Celtics (64-18 in the regular season) and eighth-seeded Miami Heat (46-36). The No. 8 spot was determined by the Heat emerging from the NBA Play-In Tournament.

Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis1@gannett.com. Follow him on Threads at @ByRyanLewis.Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavs vs Magic Game 2 score, live updates in NBA playoffs