Max Strus finished Sunday’s Game 7 victory over the Magic with 13 points (5-of-9 FGs), three rebounds, one assist, one steal, and three 3-pointers in 31 minutes.
After scoring seven points or less in the series’ first four games, Strus hit double figures in the final three. He was critical during the second half of Game 7, scoring 11 of his 13 points to (along with Darius Garland) give Donovan Mitchell the offensive assistance Cleveland’s star guard desperately needed. Garland had a rough Sunday overall, shooting 3-of-13 from the field and finishing with 12 points, three rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one 3-pointer. While he and Strus did what was required to get past Orlando, both must be better in Cleveland’s second-round series against Boston. Game 1 is on Tuesday night.