Cavs aren’t feeling pressure heading into Game 7 against Magic

To be fair to Bickerstaff, his team has been a different beast at home in this series as compared to when they’ve faced the Magic in Orlando. Cleveland hasn’t lost at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in this series, and they’ve held the Magic to just 90.7 points per game on their home court, which is a stark contrast from the 112 points per game Orlando is averaging on their home floor.

For a defensive-centric team like the Cavs, being able to defend home court to the tune of a 21.3-point swing is impressive. But Cleveland is also able to rise and ride with the energy from their fans on offense as well.

At home this postseason, Cleveland has averaged 99 points per game. On the road, meanwhile, the Cavs have only averaged 89.3 points per game. That nearly ten-point swing is a huge factor in this series and, for Cleveland, it solidifies the point that there is no place like home.

“I’m excited to see Cleveland in a Game 7,” Mitchell said. “It’s going to be fun. Cleveland, let’s do it.”

With the emotional highs of Game 7, as Mitchell alluded to, the Cavs could find a way to grind out a win over the Magic and punch a ticket to the second round where the Boston Celtics are waiting for them.

So, even with Game 6 still on their minds, the Cavs are right to feel that they have a chance against the Magic, especially when everything is on the line is happening on their home court.

“Nothing tomorrow matters,” said Bickerstaff. “Nothing that’s happened in the past matters. The only thing that matters is these 48 minutes that we’re getting ready to go out here and compete in and try to get it done.”

It certainly helps that Cleveland has Mitchell, who dropped 50 points in the Cavs’ Game 6 road loss against the Magic, to carry them.

Seeing Mitchell drop 50 points in a potential series-clinching game against Orlando was exactly why Cleveland moved heaven and earth to acquire him. But now that the Cavs are back home, and Mitchell is primed for a big-time moment as a big-time player, it could be the perfect storm to put the pesky Magic away for good.

“Donovan’s one of the best players in the world,” Max Strus said following Game 6. “He carried us and competed his a— off. We know we’re all dealing with stuff right now. He pushed through it. Hopefully, we can find ways to help him on Sunday.”

If Mitchell and backcourt co-star Darius Garland are rolling, it’ll be even easier for the Cavs to get loose behind this crowd. If everything falls into place, then Cleveland should close out this series with ease.