The Cleveland Cavaliers are hosting the Orlando Magic to begin a three-game homestand! I'll be live updating this page throughout the night.

The Cavs will be without Jarrett Allen, Jaylon Tyson, Larry Nance Jr., and Craig Porter Jr., as well as Tristan Enaruna and Olivier Sarr. Tyrese Proctor is probable. The Magic won't have Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, Anthony Black, or Jonathan Isaac available.

Starters:

Magic - Bane, Cain, Banchero, Da Silva, Carter

Cavs - Harden, Mitchell, Merrill, Wade, Mobley

FIRST QUARTER

Cavs open up with plenty of offensive rhythm off Donovan Mitchell's dribble penetration and ball movement, but defensively have allowed 19 points right off the bat. Cleveland down four halfway through the first.

Keon Ellis and Max Strus in for Donovan Mitchell and Dean Wade at the first substitution.

Mobley in foul trouble early now. 

Orlando's still shooting well, but this second unit plus Mitchell grouping has given more activity on the defensive end. Cavs down 29-28 with 2:18 left in the first quarter.

Even when Cleveland's tried to guard and contest, the Magic are just feeling it. That'll happen when you don't play forceful in the opening minutes...

END 1Q: Magic 39, Cavs 32

ORL: Banchero 16p, 1r, stl. Bane 5p, 3r, 1a. Howard 5p, 1r, 1a. 

CLE: Harden 10p, 1r, 1a. Mitchell 9p, 1a. Mobley 4p, 4r, 1a.

SECOND QUARTER

Max Strus gets it to Evan Mobley for the first play of the period. Nice job. 

Thomas Bryant running the floor well and providing good interior minutes early.

Nae'Qwan Tomlin in to get some burn. That's 10 now who have played. 

Harden knocks down his second stepback three of the evening, and the Cavs have a 52-47 lead about five minutes into quarter two. Magic have only scored eight points so far, unlike the 19 they dropped in the same amount of time in the opening frame.

Cleveland's starters, with Strus in for Wade, came back in and didn't hold up on the other end. This is not promising against a shorthanded Orlando squad. Magic getting to their spots way too easily, especially Paolo Banchero.

Exceptional offensive half from Harden and the Cavs with a 65.9% showing from the field, including 8-of-16 on threes and 10-of-10 from the line and 32 points in the paint. 

Poor, poor showing guarding the ball, as the Magic are 52.3% from the field and 14-of-15 from the line. Getting every mid-ranger to go and often at the stripe.

HALF: Cavs 72, Magic 68

ORL: Banchero 21p, 4r, 2a, stl. Bane 12p, 4r, 1a, stl. Carter 10p, 1r, 1a, stl. Carter 6p, 4r, 2a, stl. Cain 7p, 2a, 1r. 

CLE: Harden 22p, 4a, blk. Mitchell 16p, 2a, 1r. Mobley 10p, 5r, 4a. Merrill 8p, 2r, 1a. Bryant 7p, 1r, 1a, stl.

THIRD QUARTER

Evan Mobley opens the half with three solid sequences. Getting stops on Banchero for a drive and slam, and earlier getting the ball to Merrill and Mitchell.

Lots and lots and lots of free throws this game. Already up to 34 attempts combined, prolonging the length of this game. But it's also been warranted.

Good minutes from Jevon Carter off the bench. He's been good for Orlando since since he signed up. 

Mitchell with 10 in the quarter, Merrill with 6. Again, that defensive end is not allowing Cleveland to gain any separation. Cavs up 97-91 with 2:55 remaining in the third. 

END 3Q: Cavs 105, Magic 97

ORL: Banchero 29p, 4r, 4a, stl. Bane 15p, 6r, 3a, 2stl. Carter 15p, 4r, 1a, stl. Carter 12p, 5r, 2a, stl. 

CLE: Mitchell 32p, 2r, 2a. Harden 26p, 4a, 2r. Mobley 15p, 7r, 6a. Merrill 14p, 3r, 1a, stl.

FOURTH QUARTER

Good minutes from Schroder out of the gate in the fourth. Got a mid-ranger to fall and a tough lefty lay, plus almost drew a charge (it got overturned).

You cannot take that kind of driving behind-the-back pass at the end of the shot clock that James Harden made to Max Strus for granted. What an f'ing feed.

Merrill and Strus have had really effective second halves.

Ho hum, another 30-point night from Don.

The Cavs have collectively put forth a terrific offensive performance. This should not be a one-possession game with 18.9 seconds, and that is on them.