/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69203091/1315078685.0.jpg)
A 16-point advantage in the fourth quarter is often enough for a team to win a game. But that was not the case for the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night.
In a 109-104 loss at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the Cavs outscored the Magic 43-27 in the final quarter. Cleveland, after trailing Orlando by as many as 23 points, even tied the game with 1:03 left to play. But from there, the Cavs were unable to score with the Magic picking five points in the final 45 seconds. including two off of a Darius Garland turnover with 33 seconds to play.
The Cavs trailed by six at the half after trailing by as many as 13. But in the third, the Magic came out blazing, outscoring the Cavs 32-17 in the quarter. In the third, Orlando shot just under 60% from the field with Cleveland shooting under 30%.
Garland led the Cavs with 25 points and 10 assists. Kevin Love finished with just 6 points on 2-11 shooting to go with 10 rebounds, while Jarrett Allen finished with 17 points, 13 rebounds and 2 blocks.
As a team, the Cavs shot 12-44 from three. Garland and Love combined to shoot 4-19 on three-pointers. Cleveland was also again without Collin Sexton and Larry Nance Jr. — plus five other players — due to injury. Two-way player Jeremiah Martin, who officially signed his contract earlier on Wednesday, made his team debut with the Cavs’ roster riddled with injuries.
Final Score: The Cavs host the Wizards on Friday in Cleveland. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST.