Cleveland Cavaliers run out of steam — and players — in 103-83 loss to Orlando Magic – cleveland.com

ORLANDO, Fla. — Sometimes there’s just too much to overcome.

That was the case for the short-handed Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night, dropping the first of this two-game series against the Orlando Magic, 103-83.

Entering the night missing six players, the Cavs lost another less than a minute into the matchup, when Dante Exum exited with a right calf strain and did not return.

“You could tell the guys were bothered by it,” head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “It’s one of those things where we have to make sure we maintain our positivity. But human nature tells you when your guys keep going down, you have those moments. And we have to do our best to not let those moments turn into long-lasting effects.”

Exum was already starting in place of rookie Isaac Okoro, who rejoined the team on the bench for the first time since Dec. 26, but is still bothered by a foot sprain. The Cavs were also without young point guard Darius Garland, sidelined with a right shoulder strain, forced to watch the game from the front of the bench in between Cleveland’s coaches.

Those absences forced Bickerstaff to shuffle his lineup once again. He used a sixth different starting five — Damyean Dotson in Garland’s place and Collin Sexton shifting to point guard.

As if that wasn’t challenging enough, Exum’s early departure left Bickerstaff with just 10 playable bodies, some guys who wouldn’t be getting action in a normal situation. He used two-way player Lamar Stevens for the third time all year. Marques Bolden made his fourth appearance. Dean Wade and Thon Maker both logged a season-high in minutes.

“It’s tough,” Bickerstaff said. “I think our guys played hard. They tried to do what we were asking them to do, but we had so many guys out of position tonight, it’s hard to organize guys, especially when you’re losing primary ball-handlers and you’ve got big guys playing perimeter positions. It’s hard to get structure when you’ve got so many guys that are uncomfortable in so many different places.”

Even with Orlando scoring the first 10 points of the game, and the Cavs digging yet another early hole, Bickerstaff’s gritty bunch fought — until they couldn’t anymore. They trailed by just two points at the half and took their first lead of the night at the 10:44 mark of the third quarter with Dotson drilling a 3-pointer.

It was short-lived. The Magic went on a 16-5 run over the next four minutes. Then they rebuilt their lead to double digits, where it stayed for the remainder of the game.

“Our energy was just not there tonight, especially in the third quarter because of us being shorthanded,” Cedi Osman said. “We battled. Did everything we could.”

Collin Sexton extended his 20-point scoring streak to seven, leading way with 24 points on 10-of-19 shooting. Osman tallied 18 points to go with seven assists and seven rebounds. Dotson, in his first start with the Cavs, took advantage of increased playing time. He scored 16 points on 6-of-10 from the field.

“Just keep playing the same way I’ve been playing,” Dotson said. “Knowing that there would be more shots there, we had a couple guys out and just being aggressive with that. Trying to bring the energy, play defense, play the right way.”

Orlando’s Aaron Gordon paced a balanced attack with 24 points and 11 boards. Nikola Vucevic added 23 and eight.

Cleveland scored 34 points during a miserable, exhausting second half. The Cavs ran out of steam — and then capable rotation players.

“We just kind of lost our way in the third quarter and then they made some shots and that was difficult for us to overcome as well,” Bickerstaff said. “It’s difficult because you’re asking so many people to do things they haven’t done before.”

They’ve defied the odds early this season. But Monday night the pile of injuries, hodgepodge lineups and players in different roles finally caught up to them.

Up next

The Cavs will play the Magic once against in Orlando Wednesday night. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.