‘This is the moment you play for’: Magic eagerly await Game 7 after defeating Cavaliers

Paolo Banchero scored 27 points, Franz Wagner added 26 points and the Magic pulled out a late win to beat the Cavaliers in Game 6 on Friday.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Paolo Banchero scored 27 points, eight rebounds and four assists, Franz Wagner added 26 points and the Orlando Magic pulled out a late win to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday to force a decisive Game 7 in their first-round series.

The Magic controlled much of the first half of the contest, leading by as many as eight points. Despite being outscored 40-18 in the paint, they limited the Cavaliers to 1-of-14 shooting from 3-point range to carry a 53-49 lead into the intermission.

Cleveland then seemingly woke up.

Led by Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland, the Cavaliers began the third quarter on a 17-4 run to go up by nine points. They held a 29-20 advantage in the period and the lead for the next 15 minutes of game time before the Magic staged their comeback attempt.

“Ain’t nobody held their head when they went on that run,” said Cole Anthony, who finished with nine points. “Basketball is a game of runs, so we just weathered the storm, chipped into the lead and when we were able to get it back to an even game, we just stayed composed and made some plays at the right time.”

Mitchell finished with 50 points, including 31 in the second half, to join LeBron James as the only two players in franchise history to reach that mark in the playoffs. Garland added 21 points and Max Strus had 10 points to lead the Cavaliers, who were without Jarrett Allen (rib).

After outscoring the Magic by nine points in the third quarter, the Cavaliers, with the exception of Mitchell, failed to get going offensively. Mitchell went 7-of-13 from the field and accounted for all of their 18 points in the fourth quarter, while the rest of the team went without a field goal.

“You look at the second half and third quarter, (it wasn’t) great defensively, and then I thought we were really locked in,” Wagner said. “I thought Mitchell hit a bunch of tough shots. Credit to him, but I thought we stuck with it and kept making it tough and then got stops when we needed to. That was pretty much the game. We got stops in the fourth and whenever you keep getting stops, you get a rhythm a little bit and some offense going.”

The fourth quarter had five lead changes while the score was tied four times. The Magic wouldn’t take the lead for good until Banchero hit a 3-pointer with 3 minutes, 39 seconds left to play. From there, the Magic answered each basket by the Cavaliers to save their season.

The Magic, despite getting outscored 66-38 in the paint, managed to pull out the win by limiting the Cavaliers’ 3-point attempts. Cleveland finished by converting only 25% (7-of-28) from beyond the arc, which was a point of emphasis by Orlando.

The effort was noted by coach Jamahl Mosley.

There was just a poise about them. They understood what the game plan was. They didn’t try to chase it. They knew what we were trying to accomplish down the stretch; guys made big plays. They trusted each other, trusted the pass. They understood who had it going and they didn’t shy away from it.

Jalen Suggs chipped in 22 points, six rebounds and four assists with six 3-pointers and Wendell Carter Jr. added 11 points and nine rebounds for the Magic. They also received strong contributions from Jonathan Isaac (nine rebounds) and Markelle Fultz (six points),

The two teams head to Cleveland for Game 7 on Sunday (1 p.m. EDT, ABC). Each played their last Game 7 against the Boston Celtics, who are awaiting the winner on Sunday. Cleveland last won a Game 7 in 2018; it was 2009 for the Magic.

Orlando is eagerly awaiting that challenge.

“This is the moment you play for; why you do it,” Mosley said. “You do it for these moments. … You lay it all out there on the line, one opportunity. I think that these guys will all embrace that, knowing what they’re capable of doing. It isn’t going to be easy, nor do we want it to be easy.”

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WATCH: Chiefs draft picks arrive in Kansas City for rookie minicamp

Check out this video of the #Chiefs’ draft picks arriving at the team’s practice facilities for rookie minicamp.

The Kansas City Chiefs are set to kick off their rookie minicamp this weekend with all of their picks from the 2024 NFL draft in attendance.

Along with their draft selections, players from around the country are set to commune in Kansas City with rookie minicamp invitations, which act as a foot in the door for future contracts with the team.

Though nothing is guaranteed for the invitees, participation in offseason workouts is a crucial part of life in the NFL.

Xavier Worthy and other rookies were seen arriving at the Chiefs’ practice facility on Friday in a video that was posted by the team’s official social media accounts.

 

As this is the prospects’ first taste of life in the NFL, the rookie minicamp is a crucial part of Kansas City’s offseason program and should provide plenty of intrigue for the coaching staff as they sculpt the Chiefs’ roster for next season’s title defense campaign.

Grizzly bear cub breaks out moves in hilarious trail-cam footage

The approaching bears are robust and the vibe is suspenseful until one cub pauses to scratch its back on a tree.

An organization that monitors wild horses in Alberta, Canada, has published a video “re-run” showing a grizzly bear with two large cubs approaching a trail camera.

The bears are robust and the music is suspenseful until one cub pauses to scratch its back on a tree, at which point the audio becomes lively and the mood upbeat.

The footage was captured in 2022 and edited by the Help Alberta Wildies Society, which uses remote motion-sensor cameras to help monitor wild horse herd sizes and behaviors.

Grizzly bears share the same habitat and HAWS has published several clips showing bears trying to run down a foal or catch a fallen horse.

Most HAWS social-media videos are sharp and cleverly edited.

An editor stated Wednesday via Facebook: “I’m waiting for a new iMac computer to arrive, hopefully tomorrow, before I can build new movies. In the meantime we can watch some re-runs.”

WATCH: NFL showcases Patrick Mahomes’ top 10 plays from 2023

The NFL showcased #Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes’ top 10 highlights from Kansas City’s 2023 season.

The Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LVIII by the skin of their teeth, due in no small part to the heroic efforts of Patrick Mahomes, who has been a rock for the team since taking over as its starting quarterback in 2018.

Mahomes has one of the longest highlight reels of any quarterback in the NFL and has three Super Bowl rings to show for his incredible tenure under center in Kansas City.

The league showcased his top 10 plays from 2023 in a post to social media this week, giving fans across the country a chance to re-watch some of Mahomes’ most exciting moments.

Few players can rival Mahomes’ ability as a playmaker, and these highlights served as an excellent reminder of what the Super Bowl LVIII MVP can do on the gridiron.

Though the 2024 regular season is still months away, one thing is clear: There is never a bad time to re-live the history that the league’s preeminent quarterback has already made.

Stanford freshman Andrej Stojaković commits to transfer to Cal

Stojaković averaged 7.8 points and 3.4 rebounds on 40.9% shooting from the field in 32 games this past season at Stanford.

Former Stanford freshman Andrej Stojaković transferred to the University of California for the 2024-25 season, the program announced on Thursday.

Stojaković, the son of former 13-year NBA veteran Peja Stojaković, averaged 7.8 points and 3.4 rebounds on 40.9% shooting from the field in 32 games. He ranked sixth in the Pac-12 in scoring among true freshmen and had the 10th-most 3-pointers by a freshman in program history (34).

The 6-foot-7 guard scored in double figures nine times, including a season-high 20 points, six rebounds and three assists on Feb. 10 in a win over USC. He also had 18 points in back-to-back games in November against Santa Clara and Eastern Washington.

Stojaković announced his decision to transfer to Cal on April 27 after a recent visit to its campus. He chose to commit to head coach Mark Madsen over Kentucky, Michigan and North Carolina among others.

Madsen and the Golden Bears were active in the transfer portal, adding Jaylon Tyson (Texas Tech), Keonte Kennedy (Memphis) and Mike Meadows (Portland). They also signed three-star prospects Rodney Brown and Devin Curtis.

Cal went 13-19 last season in its first year under Madsen, a 10-game improvement from the previous year. The program last made it to the NCAA Tournament in 2016.

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WATCH: Tamba Hali thanks Clark Hunt for induction into Chiefs Hall of Fame

Tamba Hali thanked Clark Hunt for inducting him into the #Chiefs Hall of Fame in a video posted by the team this week.

The Kansas City Chiefs have hosted some of the most electric players in NFL history over the years, but perhaps none had more impact on the team than Tamba Hali.

A first-round pick in the 2006 NFL draft, Hali rose to prominence in Kansas City as one of the league’s preeminent sack-masters. He was announced as the team’s newest inductee into the Chiefs Hall of Fame last week and gave a speech on Thursday thanking Clark Hunt for the prestigious honor.

Check out what Hali had to say in this video of his speech that was posted to social media on Thursday:

Clearly, the prolific pass rusher was humbled by his selection as the team’s inductee and didn’t take the honor lightly. Kansas City’s fans are sure to be pleased that Hali is getting the recognition he deserves, especially given his active role in teaching young Chiefs the ropes during the offseason.

All-American Caleb Love added to early entrant list for 2024 NBA draft

Arizona senior Caleb Love was among six prospects added to the early entrant list to be eligible for selection in the 2024 NBA draft.

Arizona senior Caleb Love was among six prospects added to the early entrant list for the 2024 NBA draft, the league announced on Wednesday.

Prospects with remaining college eligibility had until Saturday at 11:59 p.m. EDT to declare for the draft. The NBA initially announced on Tuesday that 195 players had filed as early entry candidates, the fewest players since 2017.

However, according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN, more prospects were expected to be added after a mishap in the league office prevented them from being included in the original group. The early entrant list has been expanded to 201 with the inclusion of Love and others.

Love was voted a third-team All-American by the Associated Press and the Pac-12 Player of the Year after averaging 18 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.2 steals on 41.3% shooting from the field with the Wildcats. He finished fourth in the conference in scoring.

The 6-foot-4 guard transferred to Arizona in May 2023 after spending three years at North Carolina. He finished with 1,476 career points in 101 games with the Tar Heels and made 200 3-pointers, which ranks eighth in program history.

Love isn’t projected to be drafted. However, he will have the opportunity to improve his draft positioning in team interviews and workouts during the predraft process. He could also be invited to compete in the G League Elite Camp or draft combine this month in Chicago, Illinois.

He has until May 29 to withdraw from the draft and return to school.

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Big East Defensive Player of the Year Ryan Kalkbrenner to return to Creighton for 5th year

Kalkbrenner was the Big East Defensive Player of the Year for a third straight year, averaging 17.3 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.1 blocks.

Creighton senior Ryan Kalkbrenner announced Wednesday on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he will utilize his fifth year of eligibility and return to school for the 2024-25 season.

Kalkbrenner was named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year for a third straight season, averaging 17.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.1 blocks and 1.3 assists on 64.6% shooting from the field. He ranked second in the country in blocks per game and seventh in field-goal percentage.

The 7-footer became the third Big East player to win the award at least three times, joining Patrick Ewing (four times; 1982-1985) and Alonzo Mourning (three times; 1989-1990, 1992). He also became the first Creighton player since 1985 to have at least 100 blocks in a season (107).

Kalkbrenner was among the undergraduates who declared for the 2024 NBA draft ahead of the early entrant deadline. He was expected to test the predraft process for the second consecutive summer and ultimately return to school for a fifth year.

With their defensive anchor back, the Bluejays also add No. 38 prospect Jackson McAndrew and No. 64 prospect Larry Johnson to the roster next season. The program also signed Ty Davis, the 25th-ranked combo guard in the class.

The Bluejays have qualified for the NCAA Tournament in each year with Kalbrenner on the roster. He has more March Madness appearances (11) and wins (8) than any player in program history and is one of two to play in four tournaments.

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Florida Atlantic star Johnell Davis announces transfer to Arkansas

Former Florida Atlantic guard Johnell Davis announced Wednesday that he has committed to transfer to Arkansas.

Former Florida Atlantic guard Johnell Davis announced Wednesday on Instagram that he had committed to transfer to play for head coach John Calipari and Arkansas after four years with the Owls.

Davis, who entered the transfer portal on April 2, was named the co-American Athletic Conference Player of the Year after averaging 18.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals on 41.4% shooting from 3-point range.

He was also named to the All-AAC first team.

Davis helped lead the Owls to consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history. The Owls (25-9) were ranked in the top 25 for 16 straight weeks and were among 14 teams to sell out every home game this past season.

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Calipari announced his departure as head coach at Kentucky, ending a 15-year run with the program, on April 9. He was named head coach at Arkansas the following day after agreeing to a five-year contract with a salary beginning at $7 million per season.

Davis joins former Kentucky center Zvonimir Ivišić and Tennessee forward Jonas Aidoo in committing to play for Calipari via the transfer portal. The program also adds top-30 prospects Karter Knox (No. 20), Billy Richmond (No. 22) and Boogie Fland (No. 26).

The former Owl also announced last month that he had declared for the 2024 NBA draft while maintaining his remaining college eligibility. He is expected to interview and work out with teams this month before deciding on his status for next season.

He has until May 29 to withdraw from the draft and return to school.

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Duke commit Khaman Maluach named to South Sudan’s Olympic training camp roster

Duke commit Khaman Maluach was among 50 players named to South Sudan’s training camp roster for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Duke Blue Devils commit Khaman Maluach was among the 50 players named to South Sudan’s training camp roster for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

The preliminary roster includes several other players from the group that claimed a berth in the Olympic Games by finishing as the top African team in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, such as Wenyen Gabriel, Peter Jok, Carlik Jones and Marial Shayok.

The group finished 17th in the event and posted a 3-2 record.

In addition to Maluach, South Sudan selected newcomers Bol Bol, Makur Maker, Thon Maker and JT Thor among others. The team will eventually reduce its roster to 12 players for the Games.

Maluach became the third-youngest player to play in the FIBA Basketball World Cup last year with South Sudan. He totaled eight points, 15 rebounds and three blocks in four games to help South Sudan claim its first berth in the Olympic Games.

The 7-footer is considered a potential top-five pick in the 2025 NBA draft as an international prospect born in 2006. He is highly touted for his size and versatility as a player who can shoot and defend, with his reported 7-foot, 4 1/2-inch wingspan and 9-foot, 8-inch standing reach.

South Sudan, whose president and assistant coach is Luol Deng, will open the Olympics in Group C, along with Serbia, the United States and a team still to earn a berth. The group will play its first game on July 28 and wrap up the group phase with the U.S. (July 31) and Serbia (Aug. 3).

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