No wand required as Magic erase 21-point deficit to top Cavs; three takeaways

2. Third quarter curse

Some problems this Cavs squad can’t shake, the most notable being slow third quarters.

For as good as the Cavs were in the first half, it seemed as if they went into the locker room and had their minds wiped, Men in Black style, forgetting everything that made them successful in the first two frames.

The Cavs’ 21-point lead turned into a three-point deficit as Orlando outscored Cleveland 41-22 in the quarter. The game slowed down, the Cavs let up on defense, and the Magic were able to get into an offensive rhythm led by Jonathan Simmons. At halftime, Simmons had just five points but exploded for 22 in the quarter, including a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give Orlando the lead heading into the final quarter. He ended the night with a game-high 34.

End of 3Q: Magic 92, Cavs 89 ?

? @ThaRealJsimms has a game-high 27 points ?

?: @FOXSportsFL pic.twitter.com/N5A7rhAtef

— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) February 7, 2018

In the third quarter alone, the Magic went 14-of-20 from the field, and outrebounded Cleveland 14-5.

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