The Cavs preserved home court advantage

But can they take a hit and stay on their feet in Orlando?

It’s tough to know exactly what to think or how to feel about Cleveland's 104-103 victory in game five on Tuesday. 

Is my heart still racing after a game with 14 lead changes and 10 ties in the second half? Absolutely. 

Am I confident in these Cavs? Eh. 

On one hand…

After getting completely outclassed in consecutive games in Orlando, without Jarrett Allen (bruised rib), their best player of the series, and with absolutely everything on the line, the Cavs willed their way to a pivotal victory, a 3-2 series lead, and a chance to close out their first LeBron-less playoff series win on Friday. 

Darius Garland, panned for being passive through the first four games, reignited the Cavaliers and their belief with a 17-point first quarter. Garland had 23 points, five boards, and five assists in the contest, and was as aggressive and confident (and flat out good) as he's been in awhile. 

Here he is waving off Mitchell with a favorable matchup and taking Orlando’s best defender off the dribble.

His primary defender, Gary Harris, is questionable in tonight’s game six, meaning a plucky Garland might be even more effective.

Sans Allen, the Wine and Gold had their best excuse yet to get outmuscled on the boards, outclassed in the paint, and outmaneuvered on defense. And while they did barely lose the defensive rebound battle 36-31 (Cleveland also took more shots) the Cavs edged the Magic on the offensive glass 8-7 and stepped up across the board to fill the afro-sized void beneath the basket. All five Cavalier starters had at least four rebounds. Cleveland held Orlando to 30 points on 15-31 shots in the painted area. The Cavs were 21-40.  

Franz Wagner, the lone Magician who’s had any success attacking Evan Mobley, couldn’t score when it mattered most last night. 

Marcus Morris Senior, who had a clutch box out in the play above, swapped out ice-cold Georges Niang. Morris validated his buyout market signing and his playing time with 12 points in 26 minutes, including two threes to halt would-be Orlando runs. It's the most anyone has scored off the bench for the Cavs all series. 

Cleveland put an emphasis on shooting more long balls after attempting only 17 in game four. They followed through on Tuesday, canning 13 of their 37 three point attempts. Max Strus got up ten and hit four, finally shooting his way out of his slump. He had a crucial 16 points, six rebounds, and five assists. 

Donovan Mitchell, so clearly playing hurt, was at least the aggressive version of himself the Cavs so desperately need. He had nine of his 14 fourth-quarter points from the stripe. 

The Cavs finally scored more than 100 points. It's the second time in ten games of J.B. Bickerstaff-led playoff basketball that the Cavs have put up triple digits. 

The Wine and Gold now have two games to win one, and they showed on Tuesday that they can still take a hit and give one back, at home at least.  

On the other hand... 

It’s hard not to feel that the Magic’s youth and Cleveland’s raucous crowd–two things that won’t factor as much into a game at the Kia Center–may have been the difference in game five.

This tough Orlando team has been taking and throwing punches all series, something we’ve only seen the Cavaliers do in the cozy confines of Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. When the Magic hit the Cavs in central Florida, where they had the NBA’s fifth-best net rating this season, the Wine and Gold stayed down on the mat waiting for the mercy of the ten count. Who’s to say they’ll finally toughen up now that they have a one game cushion?  

J.B. Bickerstaff has never won a road playoff game. The Cavs are 5-13 in away contests since the All-Star break. 

Donovan Mitchell is playing hurt. Jarrett Allen's status for tonight’s game is unclear, and if he does go, it’s hard to imagine Allen will be as forceful with a rib injury as he’s been previously.  

Paolo Banchero was utterly unbothered and perhaps emboldened by the raucous crowd in Cleveland on Tuesday. He had 39 points, and looked every part of a budding star and the best player in the series. He's the kind of guy the Cavs, minus a healthy Mitchell, lack: a shot maker who can generate his own offense at will. 

By not double teaming or trapping him to force the ball out of his hands on Tuesday, the Cavs dared Banchero to beat them. He almost did. He’ll be even bolder at home. So will his teammates. 

Facing elimination, Orlando’s backs have never been closer to the wall. They are going to come out swinging. 

Here’s hoping the Wine and Gold don’t give them enough room to throw a haymaker, and if they do, that they can dust themselves off and throw a few of their own for a change.

Cheers, and go Cavs.