The Week Ahead: Magic Gaming Takes on Cavs Legion GC

ORLANDO – Magic Gaming will look to bounce back from last week’s loss to Jazz Gaming when they take on Cavs Legion GC on Tuesday, May 26 at 7 p.m. ET in Week 4 of the NBA 2K League.

Orlando led by 13 at two different moments of Game 1 against Utah, which rallied in the second half to defeat the Magic in the opener before rolling in Game 2 to wrap up the series. Robert “May” May, acquired by the Magic in the offseason from Pistons GT in exchange for a 2020 first round draft pick, drilled five of his six 3-point attempts and scored all 17 of his points before halftime of that first game.

A center for Detroit in his rookie campaign, May has had to adapt to a new position for his new team. His Magic head coach, Jonah Edwards, is confident in the second-year pro gamer and believes he is quickly blossoming into one of the league’s premier power forwards.

“I thought he pitched a perfect game,” Edwards said about the Massachusetts native right after the series against the Jazz was over. “I thought he played perfectly. I can’t think of much Robbie did wrong. I thought he had an incredible Game 1. He’s put in so much extra work to make this position change and it’s paying off. I really do think he’s an elite power forward in the league.”

This week’s opponent is a familiar one to Brandon “ToXsiK” Raudenbush, one of the game’s top lockdown defenders. ToXsiK played for the Cavs in the inaugural NBA 2K League season in 2018 after Cleveland selected him with the 53rd overall pick of the fourth round.

That season, the now three-year 2K League veteran was the team’s sharpshooter, making him very familiar with what it takes to adjust to a new archetype. A Florida native, ToXsiK has always enjoyed playing defense and guarding other teams’ top scorers and playmakers.

“I take a lot of pride (on defense),” he said. “Jonah will tell you, even after last night (against Utah) I felt like I could have done so much more. Even if I play well, I feel I could always do so much more. I take a lot of pride in everything, especially with our defense. No matter if Splashy (Jazz’s point guard) or whatever point guard we’re playing against is doing well, I put a lot of that defense on my shoulders.”

After beating Pacers Gaming in its first series of the season, the Cavs have dropped three straight. They were supposed to play the same night the Magic played the Jazz, but their series against Celtics Crossover Gaming was postponed due to technical issues.

Cleveland brought back most its starting lineup from last year’s squad, including Marcus “Godddof2K” Glenn, the league’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year and ToXsiK’s former teammate.

“He’s a great player,” ToXsiK said. “I’m really close with Godddof2K. Even season one, he was just a difference maker. Great defensive player, super high IQ. He’s relentless. He’s a really gritty player. He’s going to cause turnovers. He’s going to make it tough on you no matter what position he’s at.”

KEY MATCHUP: While ToXsiK defending either William “Strainer” Morales or Fred “Doza” Mendoza, whichever of the two plays point guard as they’ve each played that position this season, will be fun to watch, the showdown between the two centers may prove to be the most critical.

The Magic’s Daniel “DT” Tlais will likely match up with the Cavs’ Tim “oLARRY” Anselimo, who is in his second year in Cleveland after playing for Bucks Gaming in the first 2K League season. DT, back in Orlando for his second year, is averaging 19.2 points, 12.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game, while oLARRY is averaging 8.9 points, 12.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists.

Both are excellent passers at their position, which in this year’s league build is crucial to help create more open 3-point looks in the corners.

HOW TO WATCH: Tuesday’s matchup will be broadcasted on the NBA 2K League’s Twitch (@NBA2kLeague) and YouTube (@NBA2kLeague) channels.