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October 14, 2026 at 1:26 PM UTC

Postgame Report

Magic Turn the Tables on Cavaliers, 132-116, in Orlando Preseason Rematch

Two days after losing in Cleveland's preseason win, Orlando put 132 on the Cavaliers at Kia Center behind Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Tristan da Silva.

3 Winners, 1 Loser in Magic Preseason Loss vs. Cavaliers — Sports Illustrated
3 Winners, 1 Loser in Magic Preseason Loss vs. Cavaliers — Sports Illustrated

The Orlando Magic got back what they gave up two days earlier, beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 132-116 at Kia Center in a Tuesday night preseason game that was settled well before the last few minutes. It was a tune-up for both sides, the kind of night that is more about rhythm than the result, but Orlando's rhythm was a good deal better. Paolo Banchero led the way with 24 points, eight rebounds and three assists in 28 minutes, the most of anyone on the floor.

The betting market had seen something tighter. Cleveland was a 1.5-point road favorite with the total at 228.5, and the moneyline was close to even. At least one prediction piece liked the under, reasoning that the number had been pushed up by how freely the Cavaliers had been scoring. The teams combined for 248, so that pick was in trouble early. Franz Wagner had 20 points and eight assists in 22 minutes, and Tristan da Silva came off the bench for 18 on top of five assists. Goga Bitadze added 14 points and six rebounds in 19 minutes.

Cleveland arrived with credentials. The Cavaliers went 52-30 last season and finished fourth in the East under Kenny Atkinson, and their offense was a strength, averaging 119.5 points a game. They scored 116 here, close enough to that standard, and the problem was at the other end. Donovan Mitchell had 15 points and eight assists in 25 minutes, Evan Mobley scored 14, and James Harden had 13. The best scoring pace in that group came from Meleek Thomas, who put up 16 points in 13 minutes off the bench, but it didn't change the shape of the night.

The result also reversed the one from October 11, when Cleveland comfortably beat Orlando 119-105 in the first preseason meeting. This time the Magic were the ones with the margin, 16 points of it. Desmond Bane scored just eight in 26 minutes and Jalen Suggs had nine in 13, so Orlando got this without leaning on its more established names. Both teams have a few more preseason nights before the games start to count.

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