CLEVELAND (AP) — Donovan Mitchell scored 34 points and Evan Mobley had 19 points and 13 rebounds to lift the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 107-96 victory over the Orlando Magic on Friday night.
Mitchell poured in 16 points in the first nine minutes, outscoring Orlando itself by one, and the Cavaliers never relinquished control. Cleveland eventually led by 20 in the win for the 10th time in 11 home games this season.
Darius Garland had 18 points and six assists and Kevin Love added 11 points and 10 rebounds off the bench for the Cavs. Love is back after missing six games with a broken thumb.
Rookie forward Paolo Banchero scored 22 points, Cole Anthony had 19 and Markelle Fultz added 10 points and six assists for the Magic, who lost their seventh straight and have an NBA-worst record at 5-18.
It was Anthony’s second game back after missing a month with a torn right oblique. Fultz made his season debut Wednesday against Atlanta after missing the first 21 games with a broken left finger.
Mobley, the NBA Rookie of the Year runner-up last season, shot 9-of-10 from the field and has six double-doubles in his last nine games. He also had four assists in 38 active minutes.
The Magic played without top rebounder Wendell Carter Jr. and guard Jalen Suggs. Carter was sidelined for eight games with a right foot injury and Suggs missed his fourth straight with a sore right ankle.
Cleveland lost forward Dean Wade to a left shoulder injury in the second quarter.
IN PROGRESS OF NORMALIZATION
Cavaliers G Ricky Rubio (left knee surgery), who tore his anterior cruciate ligament last Dec. 28 in New Orleans, played 3-on-3 for the first time this year Thursday at the team’s suburban practice facility.
No timetable has been set for Rubio’s return to NBA action, but coach JB Bickerstaff said, “Ricky is doing something more and more. He has a doctor’s appointment soon and we are looking to see where he is.”
TYPE-INS
Magic: G Gary Harris (right hamstring strain) did not play after injuring himself two nights earlier against the Hawks. Harris underwent surgery on his left knee on September 1 and appeared in only six games. … C Mo Bamba (back spasms), C Jonathan Isaac (left knee recovery) and F Chuma Okeke (left knee soreness) were all unavailable.
Cavaliers: All-Star C Jarrett Allen (bruised lower back) missed his fourth straight game after being injured Nov. 25 at Milwaukee. … F Lamar Stevens started in his return from a four-game absence with a non-COVID-19 illness. … Cleveland plays 10 home games in December, hitting the road for just three contests through Dec. 29.
IT FOLLOWS
Magic: Visit Toronto on Saturday night.
Cavaliers: Visit New York on Sunday night.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports