ORLANDO, Fla. — The NBA playoffs series between the Magic and the Cavaliers shifts to Orlando for Game 3 at 7 p.m. Thursday, with the Magic trailing 0-2.

The Magic have not been in the playoffs since 2020 and have not played in front of their fans at their home arena since 2019. Orlando made the 2020 playoffs, but those games took place in the COVID-19 pandemic bubble at Disney's Wide World of Sports, with mostly only NBA players and staff allowed to watch in person. Only guard Markelle Fultz and forward Jonathan Isaac remain on the roster from those playoff seasons.

The Magic are hoping for more confidence playing in the friendly confines of Kia Center in front of Magic fans.

"I'm sure they're (fans) really hungry (for a win) but not hungrier than us though," Orlando forward Franz Wagner said.

Orlando won 29 of its 41 home games during the regular season. The Milwaukee Bucks were the only Eastern Conference team (31-11) to win more home games. But Cleveland did hand Orlando one of its 12 losses at home in 2023-24. The teams split the series 2-2.

"Our fans have been a huge part of our success this season," guard Cole Anthony said. "...For us, playing in front of these fans puts a chip on our shoulder."

Thursday's game is all but a must-win for the Magic to keep alive their hopes of winning the series. No NBA team has ever won a playoff series after trailing 0-3.

The Cavs led from start to finish in both games in Cleveland, where the deafening crowd noise may have had something to do with the Magic’s lack of any shooting touch.

Orlando's defense helped hold Cleveland to fewer than 100 points in Games 1 and 2, but the Magic shot a combined 34.3%, while making just 17 of 65 3-pointers (26.1%). Worse, the Magic, who entered the playoffs with the worst offense statistically of any team in the field, missed open, uncontested shots.

"We've got to hit a few more shots," said Anthony, who averaged 11.6 points in the regular season but has not scored a field goal in the series.

He admitted he has been frustrated but said he just has to let those games go and focus on what the team needs to win.

Being back on their home floor will help.

"Take care of home. That's what Cleveland did, and that's what we have to do," Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said Wednesday after practice.

Mosley said the atmosphere in the building and the energy that the crowd provides help fuel the Magic's players.

Players were able to get a day of recovery Tuesday before Wednesday's practice, and Mosley said they watched film to see where the team can execute better, make improvements and adjust their game plan.

Guard Jalen Suggs, who had to be helped off the court early in the first quarter of Monday's game with what looked like a knee injury but returned in the second half, was able to practice Wednesday. Mosley said he expects Suggs to be able to play Thursday night.

The official injury report late Thursday morning did not include any Magic players.

Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said he expects the Magic to boost the physicality while playing at home.

“They’re going to be a different team at home,” he said. “They were all year. Being a younger team, but being able to play in front of your crowd, gives you that confidence that you can.”

For fans who don’t have tickets to tonight’s game, an extended Fan Fest featuring a giant outdoor screen will begin two hours before tipoff outside the Kia Center during every home game and throughout the game. Free Fan Fest tickets for those not going to the game will be required to enter. They are available online or at the entrance on the days of the games.