NBA: Donovan Mitchell puts up 42 as Cavaliers best Magic

Donovan Mitchell scored 16 of his 42 points in the third quarter, and James Harden added 26 points with seven assists, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 136-131 win over the visiting Orlando Magic on Tuesday night.

Evan Mobley went perfect from the field, making all eight of his shots and finishing with 19 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. Cleveland (45-27) has won four straight games and remains in fourth place in the Eastern Conference.

For Orlando (38-34), Paolo Banchero had 36 points, going 13-for-15 from the free-throw line, while Tristan da Silva scored 10 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter. The Magic, who had previously won seven straight, have now dropped six in a row, tying for eighth in the East.

Trailing by 11 early in the fourth, Orlando closed the gap to 131-128 with 37.5 seconds left on two free throws from Wendell Carter Jr. Mitchell responded with a short jumper, and Cleveland's Sam Merrill added a free throw. Banchero hit a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 134-131 with 1.1 seconds remaining, but Mitchell sealed the win with two free throws, marking his sixth 40-plus point game of the season.

Desmond Bane and Jamal Cain each scored 17 points for the Magic, while Carter Jr. and Jevon Carter added 15 apiece. Merrill led Cleveland with 19 points.

Mitchell caught fire in the third quarter, making six of seven shots as the Cavaliers extended their lead to 105-97. Banchero kept the Magic within reach with eight points in the period.

Cleveland started strong in the second quarter, hitting 11 of their first 14 shots, including two 3-pointers by Harden, to take a six-point lead. Harden also completed a four-point play in the final second of the half, sending Cleveland into the break ahead 72-68. At halftime, Harden had 22 points, while Banchero led Orlando with 21. The Cavaliers shot 65.9% from the field, 50% from three, and made all 10 of their free throws.

Cleveland played without Jarrett Allen (knee), Jaylon Tyson (toe), and Craig Porter Jr. (groin). Magic point guard Jalen Suggs missed his second straight game due to illness.

Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley became the 115th coach in NBA history to reach 400 career games.

-Field Level Media/Reuters