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All Cleveland sports know how to do is make history – good or bad. When the Cavs were down big in the second quarter, I texted a buddy saying hold on because the second half will either be historically bad or historically good. Luckily, it was the latter. If you’ve watched enough Cleveland sports events, you know. Sins are forgotten with a win but not totally forgiven. A first-round series win makes a difference in how this team moves forward but it doesn’t totally address all of what it takes to get to the next level. But that’s for another time, now it’s time to celebrate. Except, it didn’t really start like that. A Cavs 10-7 run is about as pleasing as it would get for several quarters. Guards getting downhill has typically been a...

The game was there for the taking, unfortunately there wasn’t a Cleveland team willing to take it. Game 7 is a win or go home scenario. But Game 6 felt like a must win for the Cavs. Down Jarrett Allen. Down Dean Wade. Evan Mobley injured his ankle. Donovan Mitchell playing on one knee. A Magic team gaining confidence with every game. A Cavs team losing confidence in their shot with every game. The longer this series goes on, the less it feels like the Cavs can overcome the obstacles they’re facing. That’s not even mentioning the historic Donovan Mitchell performance we witnessed. For all the “Donovan Mitchell doesn’t show up in playoff” talk, Mitchell quickly erased any doubt he wasn’t up for the moment. Mitchell was problem was the...

It would typically be overdramatic to say one game was one of the most important games in franchise history but in this case the statement really might be true. With a superstar’s player option hanging in the background (sound familiar?) playoff success is really the only success that will determine next steps. So of course, the lack of playoff success, in back-to-back first rounds, nonetheless, would mean a lot. For all that was invested, it could easily go *poof*. But that’s a discussion for another day. That conversation can be blocked from the airwaves the same way Evan Mobley blocked Franz Wagner’s shot. Cleveland has a thing for late game dramatics including blocked shots, and Mobley played his part in adding to it. One could say...

Whatever good vibes were had after the first two games is out the window. Losing isn’t unexpected and is understandable. Losing in a fashion they did, the worst in playoff franchise history, is unacceptable. Every playoff series is like its own regular season – there’s ups and downs and every game seem like the highest high or the lowest low. If there’s anything this Cavaliers season has taught us is that they’re consistently inconsistent on a game-by-game basis. There’s no predicting what was around the next corner. We knew the Magic would bounce back shooting wise and would come out ready returning home after two tough losses to open the series. What we didn’t know is the Cavs wouldn’t come out ready. The Cavs look like they had...

The Cavaliers took care of business. They did their job and are headed to Orlando up 2-0. Was it pretty? No. But it worked. Do the Cavs win these types of games without the experience of New York last year? Maybe, but it’s hard to argue that past experiences haven’t led to current success. Win the rebounding battle? Check. Match the physicality? Check. Make enough perimeter shots to win? Check. Game 2 started a lot like Game 1: The Magic missed their first 3 3PA while Donovan Mitchell nailed his first 3PA along with two free throws. And just as quickly as that happened, the Cavs followed it up with back-to-back turnovers. One thing that’s been pretty consistent through these first two games is the Cavs defensive intensity and...

One down. *breathes a sigh of relief* It’s only one game but after the bad taste of last year’s playoffs, it was important to come out strong, and play a complete game. It’s also important to note teams that win Game 1 in any series go on to win that series about 75% of the time. More than anything else, the Knicks punched the Cavs first and the Cavs often didn’t know how to punch back. While the Magic are no New York team, they looked to be every bit as physical and relentless. They brought the fight to the Cavs, and the Cavs looked like they were ready for it. Playoff series can either make or break you and after one game, it looks like the New York series made the Cavs in game one. One of the bigger stories heading into game was how...