Cleveland Cavaliers: Veteran Journeyman Gets Praise for Unexpected Performance in Game 5 Win Vs. Orlando Magic

After losing Games 3 and 4 by 61 points in Orlando last week, the Cleveland Cavaliers held off the Orlando Magic in Game 5, as Evan Mobley made the game-winning block on Franz Wagner’s layup in the final seconds.

“It was not the best decision, and Evan Mobley made a great play,” Franz Wagner said on Evan Mobley’s block via the Associated Press. “The mistakes add up and hurt us at the end of the game.”

“We really needed a game like this in the playoffs,” said Darius Garland. “I’m glad it was a block (by Mobley).”

Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland led Cleveland with 28 and 23 points, respectively. Evan Mobley filled in well at center for the injured Jarrett Allen (rib), as he had 14 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks on 7-of-11 shooting from the floor.

The Cleveland Cavaliers also got big contributions from Max Strus and Marcus Morris Sr. Strus had 16 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals, including four-three-pointers, and Morris recorded 12 points and three rebounds off the bench.

Marcus Morris Sr. gives the Cleveland Cavaliers a huge lift

Before Tuesday, Marcus Morris Sr. had played just garbage time in the first four games of this series, but he was part of the closing lineup in Game 5.

The Cleveland Cavaliers picked up Marcus Morris Sr. from the buyout market after he was waived by the San Antonio Spurs in February, following a three-team deal involving the Philadelphia 76ers and the Indiana Pacers.

“He always brings that toughness. A couple of buckets, a couple of mid-ranges. That’s what he’s known for. He made a big three-ball for us in the corner. That was really huge,” Garland said of Morris.

“He’s been through these battles before,” Cleveland Cavaliers head coach JB Bickerstaff added about Morris. “He’s tough as nails. He’s not afraid of (stuff) and he’s got big courage like that shot he hit from the corner. There’s not a lot he hasn’t seen, so it was great for us to be able to go to him.”