After allowing 35-plus points in each of the last three first quarters, Magic coach Jamahl Mosley challenged his group to start off stronger and defend with pride when hosting the Cavaliers on Saturday.

With the return of All-Defensive guard Jalen Suggs, the Magic played with better energy and effort early against Cleveland but slowed down during the second half inside Kia Center.

In a contest that was tied nine times and featured 12 lead changes, the Cavs took control in the fourth quarter en route to a 119-105 victory over Orlando.

Playing on the second night of a back-to-back after defeating the Kings at home on Friday night, the Cavs outshot the Magic from distance and forced the necessary stops to head home with a 14-point win.

Although Mosley’s squad, which dropped its third game in a row, scored 28 points off 17 takeaways, Cleveland (27-20) won its  third straight while notching 17 points off 16 Orlando turnovers.

The Magic (23-21) hit the road when they travel for a quick rematch with the Cavs in Cleveland on Monday.

Suggs’ return

The Magic guard made his way back to the court after missing the last eight contests due to a right knee MCL contusion.

Suggs hit first his first step-back 3-pointer from the top of the key but picked up two fouls in the first quarter. He then earned his third foul with 38.2 seconds left in the first half.

Still, it was clear the difference Suggs (nine points) made on the court by helping push the pace and distribute the ball (six assists) playing mostly 4-5-minute stints to total 24 minutes of action.

Rest of starters

Anthony Black remained in the starting lineup in place of Franz Wagner (who missed his second game in a row due to left ankle soreness) alongside regulars Paolo Banchero, Desmond Bane, Wendell Carter Jr. and Suggs.

Black did a little bit of everything as he tallied 16 points, five rebounds and five assists in 40 minutes.

Bane was the lone member of the Magic to reach double figures prior to halftime, scoring 12 points by hitting a pair of 3s and attacking the basket. But he didn’t hit again from distance in the second half, turned the ball over three times and ended with 20 points.

Similarly, Banchero penetrated the paint early and often while making his way to the free-throw line, where he shot 10 for 12.

After missing his first three shots from 3-point range, Banchero found his footing on the perimeter, knocking down three 3s in the fourth quarter alone to notch 27 points in 38 minutes.

Difference from distance

Owner of the second-worst 3-point percentage in the league (34%), Orlando started 3 for 10 in the first quarter. It then shot 3-for-20 from the second quarter through the third quarter before finishing 11-for-40 (27.5%) for the night.

On the other end, Cleveland hit four 3-pointers in each of the first two frames and ended 15-for-34 (44.1%) from distance.

Those marks resulted in a 12-point difference in scoring from beyond the arc alone.

Rookie watch

First-round pick Jase Richardson was the first reserve off the Magic bench and immediately drove to the basket on his first offensive possession.

The 20-year-old guard, however, scored just four points with two assists in 15 minutes.

Second-round pick Noah Penda also stepped onto the court late in the opening frame. The French forward played down the stretch of the game but had just three points and three rebounds in 16 minutes.

Jason Beede can be reached at jbeede@orlandosentinel.com