CLEVELAND (AP) — Cole Anthony made the tiebreaking layup with 45 seconds left, and the Orlando Magic squandered a 23-point lead before edging the Cleveland Cavaliers 109-104 on Wednesday night to snap a six-game losing streak.
The Magic went up 86-63 on R.J. Hampton’s runner with 10:42 remaining, but Cleveland responded with a 41-18 run to tie the score at 104 on a 3-pointer by Kevin Love.
Love was held scoreless until the fourth, two days after his on-court tantrum against the Raptors in Tampa, Florida.Anthony put Orlando in front for good with a tough driving layup, then made a pair of free throws after a Cavaliers turnover to make it 108-104. The rookie from North Carolina scored 12 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter.
Gary Harris had 19 points, six rebounds and seven assists for Orlando, which won for the second time in 14 games and pulled into a tie with Detroit for the worst record in the East. Chuma Okeke had 18 points before exiting with a twisted ankle.
Love missed his first eight shots, seven of them 3-pointers, and finished with six points on 2 of 11 from the field. He added 10 rebounds, six assists and three steals. The five-time All-Star received a mixed reaction from the crowd after publicly apologizing to coach J.B. Bickerstaff, his teammates and Cleveland fans earlier in the day.
Darius Garland scored 25 points in the Cavaliers’ fourth straight loss, while Cedi Osman had 19 points and Jarrett Allen added 17 points and 13 rebounds. Cleveland, which began a season-high, five-game homestand, is 1-7 in its last eight.
The Cavaliers were without seven injured players, including leading scorer Collin Sexton, who missed his third game after suffering a concussion at Charlotte on April 23.Orlando led 50-44 at the break. Allen and Garland had 10 points apiece for Cleveland, which went 4 of 21 on 3-pointers.
James Ennis III returned for the Magic after being sidelined for five games with a sore right calf. He started at small forward and had eight points.Orlando coach Steve Clifford has been away from the team since Sunday because of NBA health and safety protocols. Tyrone Corbin, serving as acting coach, said Clifford is not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.
“Steve is feeling good, but he is bored by himself in quarantine,” Corbin said, chuckling.Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith of Alabama was in attendance. Cleveland will host the NFL Draft beginning Thursday.
