Zurab Talakvadze

Magic no match for the Cavs

Goga Bitadze had 4 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds and a steal, but Orlando Magic lost the sixth straight game, this time falling to a play offs bound Cavaliers 131:136.

James Harden was monster again, at the Beard scored in stripes and dominated the most important part of the game. Harden is averaging 24.0 points, a team-high 8.0 dimes and solid 4.9 rebounds per game., Harden is giving his team some needed depth and is cooperating with Donovan Mitchel well. Those Cavs are rolling, but still lack some healthy bodies.

Orlando was accurate and had only 9 turnovers, but the team missed a lot of easy shots. Again, Paolo Banchero scored a lot of points (this time, 36), but the main scoring option also had some costly errors (5) and did not have his best defensive effort.

Bitadze? We have seen a better Goga in the last couple of games and this time, coaches chose not to involve him a lot of offensive moves. Goga was battling, Goga was diving, Goga was effective in some stretches, but all in all, BItadze was passive.

The standings are getting tight and this Magic needs to respond quick. The team shares the eighth place with Charlotte and Miami (all have 38:34), and has some tough games remaining.

Good luck with rest of the season.

And, good luck to Goga as well.