NBA

Orlando stuns Cleveland, snapping Cavs' winning streak

Doncic leads the Lakers to their first win without LeBron James with 33 points and 11 rebounds.

Carter Jr. (34) makes a dunk against Ty Jerome.AP / Cordon Press

Published by

March 17, 2025

3 minutes read

The Orlando Magic pulled off the upset of the night with a 108-103 win over the best team of the regular season, the Cleveland Cavaliers. This defeat ended the Cavaliers' 16-game winning streak and marked the end of their dominance in the NBA Eastern Conference. The day also saw the Lakers' first victory since LeBron James' injury, thanks to an immense performance by Luka Doncic.

Paolo Banchero was the star for Orlando with 24 points and 11 rebounds, including the basket that put them ahead 104-103 with 45 seconds left before the buzzer. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Franz Wagner extended the lead after making four free throws to secure the visitors' win.

"It's a great win," Banchero said in statements picked up by AFP. "To get here ... against one of the best teams in the league, which is also coming off a winning streak .... A great win!"

Cleveland, missing All-Star center Evan Mobley, watched the longest winning streak in its history go up in smoke. Their last loss was on February 4 to the defending champion Boston Celtics.

"Huge credit to them. Even if you've won 16 games in a row, there's a playoff team around the corner and tough to play," said Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson.

Doncic shows Lakers how to win without LeBron

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Phoenix Suns 107-96, thanks to 33 points and 11 rebounds from Luka Doncic, in his return to the court after sitting out a game. It was the Lakers' first win since LeBron James' injury. James, the other Lakers leader, will be out for at least another week due to groin pain.

With the win over the Suns, the Lakers ended a string of four consecutive losses and now have 41 wins, moving into fifth place in the Western Conference. Kevin Durant scored 21 points for Phoenix, while Devin Booker added 19 points and 11 rebounds.

Mavericks continue their decline

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Dallas Mavericks 130-125, with 28 points from guard Quentin Grimes. The Texan team continues its particular descent into struggles, eagerly looking forward to the end of the season.

For the Mavericks, P.J. Washington was the top scorer with 29 points and 12 rebounds.

Gilgeous-Alexander beats Antetokounmpo, Wolves and Clippers win

In the day's closing game, the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 121-105 on the road. The game between the contenders for the MVP award tilted in favor of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 31 points for the Western Conference leaders, while Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded his seventh triple double of the season with 21 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.

Anthony Edwards had an offensive explosion and scored 41 points in the Minnesota Timberwolves's 128-102 win against the Utah Jazz. The 23-year-old Edwards surpassed 40 points for the seventh time this season, helping the 'Wolves secure their eighth straight win.

The Los Angeles Clippers were not surprised by the Charlotte Hornets, securing a comfortable 123-88 victory with 31 points from veteran James Harden.