The Cleveland Cavaliers had their NBA season-high 16-game win streak snapped by the Orlando Magic on Sunday afternoon. The Cavs shot just 25% from behind the arc in what ended up as Cleveland’s third-lowest scoring output of the season. Donovan Mitchell returned from a brief two-game absence, putting up 23 points on 9-28 shooting, while Evan Mobley sat out with a foot injury. The Cavs drop to 56-11 on the season, still in a primed position to clinch the number one seed in the Eastern Conference, but now an outside shot of cracking the 70-win mark.
Cavs Win Streak Snapped as Road to 70 Wins Looks Bleak
No Mobley, No Party
Mobley missed his ninth full game of the season, including his exit against Miami, when he rolled his ankle. In those nine games, the team is 5-4. Comparing that 55% win percentage to their season win percentage of 83% it’s a massive fall-off. Mobley has been the Cavs’ MVP for this season. He is on pace to win his first Defensive Player of the Year Award, while averaging a career-high in points.
Without Mobley on the court, the Cavs lose spacing and size. Recently, Cleveland has closed lineups without Jarrett Allen on the court and Mobley as the center, for his spacing and defensive versatility. It does not seem like Mobley will be out for long which is the good news for the Cavs, they will need him not only down the stretch but come the playoffs.
The #Cavs are now 5-3 without Evan Mobley this season. If you count the game where he sprained his ankle and left, they’re 5-4.
MVP of this team. #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/fEHFljh5tS
— jack (@TheCavsJack) March 16, 2025
70 Wins?
Heading into Sunday’s matchup against the Magic, the Cavs needed a 14-2 finish to the regular season to achieve the historic mark. Sunday’s loss does not make the feat impossible but it certainly makes it much harder. Alongside the fact Cleveland must go 14-1 now to finish the season, they head out west for a long road trip as well.
Now, Cleveland is the best Eastern Conference team against their opposing conference at an astounding 18-3 against the West. However, the Cavs face five straight road games in the Pacific/Mountain time zones in the next week. Their matchups include:
- LA Clippers – March 18
- Sacramento Kings – March 19
- Phoenix Suns – March 21
- Utah Jazz – March 23
- Portland Trail Blazers – March 25
The Cavs have yet to play both Sacramento and the Clippers this season but are 3-0 against the Suns, Jazz, and Trail Blazers this year. If Cleveland wants any shot at reaching 70 wins, they will need to be flawless on the West Coast. If they do so, their remaining 10 games include just six playoff teams, including four against the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers.
14-1 is not imposible. Cleveland has shown that with their two win streaks of 15+ games this season alone. With Mobley in the lineup, the Cavs have a stellar 51-7 record, as long as he is healthy don’t rule out the Cavs making some history before the playoffs.
The Last Word
Sunday’s loss to Orlando highlighted the importance of Mobley in the Cavs lineup. Without him, Cleveland is nowhere near the championship-level team they are with him. But, with him healthy the Cavs remain a threat to finish with at least 70 wins.
Photo credit: © David Richard-Imagn Images
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