The Orlando Magic lost their sixth game in a row on Tuesday after falling to the Cleveland Cavaliers, 136-131. Below are the reasons why they lost and other takeaways:

The Magic were able to remain within striking distance for the entirety of the evening, but James Harden and Donovan Mitchell were too much to overcome.

Harden set the tone in the first half, and he would end up with 26 points and seven assists on 8-16 shooting from the field and 4-6 from 3-point range. 

Subsequently, Mitchell dazzled in the second half, scoring 26 points including a dagger floater with 14 seconds left to push the Cleveland lead to five points. Mitchell would finish the game with 42 points on 14-22 shooting while hitting all 11 of his free throws.

A night after notching a season-high 39 points, Paolo Banchero’s 36-point effort was not enough to overcome the tandem of Harden and Mitchell combining for 68 points. Banchero had help from his team, as each player in the starting lineup scored 15 or more points, yet it would not matter.

When it came to second chance points, Orlando outmatched Cleveland 23-7. But points in the paint produced a significantly more unfavorable result for the visiting team.

The Magic lost the battle in the paint, 64-38, which made all the difference in a game decided by five points. Cavs centers Evan Mobley and Thomas Bryant combined to go a perfect 12-12 while dunking every chance they got.

It did not matter that the Magic were able to secure more rebounds (39-33) or assists (27-24) when the Cavs were able to create such a disparity around the basket.

Magic forward Jamal Cain recently had his two-way contract converted to a standard NBA deal, and on Tuesday, he demonstrated why the organization made that decision.

Cain logged 17 points in 31 minutes as a starter on 5-11 shooting from the field and 1-3 from 3-point range. At many points, he played above his 6-foot-7 frame as he scrapped with bigger bodies down low for offensive rebounds and second chance points.

Cain finished with six rebounds, but the broadcast crew of Reggie Miller and Noah Eagle commented at one point that it felt like Cain had 15 rebounds — indicating his impact and effort. Cain also hit each of his six free throw attempts.

The Orlando Magic are in the most dire situation they have been in all season after riding the momentum of a seven-game winning streak. 

The loss to Cleveland brings them to 38-34, and while they maintain the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference for now, the Charlotte Hornets (No. 9) and Miami Heat (No. 10) both have the same record. Orlando’s margin for error has disappeared in a week’s time, and it is critical for them to finally snap their losing streak when they host the Sacramento Kings on Thursday.