The Orlando Magic came into Monday night’s matchup with the Cavs feeling pretty good about themselves.

With their season-opening starting lineup back together for the first time in 2 ½ months, the Magic eviscerated Miami the night before. They were playing at home against a team they’re chasing in the Eastern Conference standings – a Cavs team that they bested 104-94 on Dec. 11.

“Any time they play the Cavaliers, they see themselves as parallel in talent and ability,” Cavs legend Brad Daugherty said on the Bally Sports Ohio telecast. “And this is the litmus test.”

The Cavs quickly turned that confidence into self-doubt.

By the time Sam Merrill entered the game with 6:00 left in the first quarter, the Cavs already had built a comfortable lead. It only took Merrill 4 seconds to hit his first 3-pointer.

He hit his second 3-pointer with 2:10 left to make it 30-16 Cavaliers.

Fast-forward to the second quarter. With 8:51 left, Merrill drained his fifth 3-pointer to make it 48-27 Cavs. He was 5-for-5 from 3-point range at that point.

Merrill finished with 26 points in 31 minutes off the bench.

I can’t get enough of that guy.

Another Fast Start

The Cavs sprinted to a 52-27 lead with 8:08 left in the second quarter, en route to a season-high 72 points at halftime. Yes, the Magic were on the tail end of a back-to-back. But fast starts have been a hallmark of the Cavs’ NBA-best eight-game winning streak.

“In the past, those fast starts would kind of deteriorate,” Daugherty observed. “But this Cavaliers team has figured out a way to maintain and sustain throughout 48 minutes of basketball. It’s been just an absolute treat to watch as a Cavs fan.”

Cry Me a River

Orlando jumped out of the gate as one of the hottest teams in the NBA. The Magic were 13-5 at the end of November, before the injury bug reared its ugly head.

Center Wendell Carter Jr. missed 26 games, point guard Markelle Fultz missed 31 games and Franz Wagner missed eight games with an ankle sprain.

With Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, Caris LeVert and Ty Jerome on the bench Monday night, the Magic will get little sympathy from Cavs fans.

Fro-mentous Achievement

Jarrett Allen set a franchise record with his 12th consecutive double-double, logging 14 points and 11 rebounds in the victory over Orlando.