Perhaps the most alarming aspect of Thursday night was Cleveland’s lack of fight. As the Magic strutted, stuck their chests out, scowled and verbally assaulted players on the court and the bench, the Cavs just … took it.

Throughout the season, it became clear that opponents had a specific perception of this team. ...soft... the level of disrespect coming from Orlando’s side was palpable.

Banchero did the too-small gesture to Mitchell after a fadeaway jumper and kept pointing at Cavs veterans Marcus Morris Sr. and Tristan Thompson who have been standing on the sidelines trying to distract the young Magic for a duration of this series.

Wagner appeared to call Thompson or Morris — perhaps even both — an asshole. Suggs and Thompson exchanged words — even before Suggs punctuated the Magic statement victory with a showy breakaway windmill dunk in the third quarter, gesticulating back to the bench.

...

 It shouldn’t have been a surprise that Orlando would put Carter into the starting lineup...It shouldn’t have been a surprise to see Banchero finally come alive... It shouldn’t have been a surprise...It shouldn’t have been a surprise...

But it was.

...for the Cavs, this year was supposed to be different. ...This team was supposed to be ready for the bright lights. More seasoned. More mature. More prepared. Better. Deeper. Tougher. ...

...The Cavs got a little too comfortable up 2-0. Perhaps that [original emphasis] is the lesson. No matter how harsh.

Just how much have they learned? How much mental toughness have they gained?