Game review: Magic (57-23) 98, Cavaliers (61-20) 92
The Magic got off to their typical slow start in Cleveland, falling behind the LeBron James-less Cavaliers by 16 points in the second quarter before recovering as they outscored the Cavaliers by 10 points in the second half. It was a meaningless game for the Cavaliers, as they rested Anthony Parker in addition to James, with Shaquille O'Neal still being held out as he recovers from his thumb injury. Thanks to the LA Lakers' loss to Portland, the Magic now have the second-best record in the NBA.
The Magic scored the first 4 points of the game as the score was tied at 11 before the Cavaliers went on a 15-4 run to lead 26-11 before settling for a 28-19 lead after one. The Cavaliers had their largest lead of the game at 40-24 with 7:20 remaining in the second before the Magic went on a 22-10 run to cut their deficit to 50-46 at the half. The Cavaliers led by as many as 5 points in the third before the Magic went on a 24-15 run to close the third quarter and led 77-73. Both teams played their reserves liberally in the final quarter as the Cavaliers had their last lead at 84-83 with under 8 minutes before the Magic took control with a 15-4 run to go ahead 98-88 with 2:22 remaining. The Magic didn't score again, but it wasn't necessary.
Magic leading scorers
Dwight Howard; 22 points (9 of 13 FGs, 4 of 9 FTs), 13 rebounds, 6 blocks
Jameer Nelson: 17 points (6 of 13 FGs, 3 of 5 3 PT FGs), 8 assists
Mickael Pietrus (bench): 12 points (4 of 8 FGs, 2 of 5 3 PT FG), 2 steals
Rashard Lewis: 11 points (4 of 8 FGs, 3 of 5 3 PT FG)
Matt Barnes: 10 points (5 of 7 FGs), 6 rebounds
J.J. Redick (bench): 10 points (3 of 7 FGs, 1 of 3 3 PT FG), 6 assists
Overall Game Statistics
FG%: ORL 48.1% (38 of 79) CLE 41.0% (34 of 83)
3 PT FG%: ORL 34.6% (9 of 26) CLE 33.3% (6 of 18)
FT%: CLE 78.3% (18 of 23) ORL 68.4% (13 of 19)
REB: CLE 42 (14 offensive) ORL 38 (10 offensive)
AST/TO: ORL 29/14 CLE 17/14
BENCH: CLE 36 ORL 32
Other game notes and stats:
-Four Cavaliers scored in double figures, led by Delonte West off the bench with 21 points on 7 of 12 field goals; Mo Williams (9 assists) and Antawn Jamison added 19 points; Zydrunas Ilgauskas added 9 points with 12 rebounds in reserve
-Vince Carter was the only Magic starter not to score in double figures, as he scored 6 points on 3 of 10 shooting, but had 5 assists
-Howard and Nelson were the only Magic starters to play over 30 minutes, as Howard played 37:42; Jamario Moon was the only Cavaliers' player to play over 30 minutes
-Only Anthony Johnson did not play for the Magic; Jason Williams and Marcin Gortat played but did not score
-After starting 0 for 6 on threes, the Magic made 9 of their last 20 three pointers
-Pietrus scored all his points in the fourth quarter on 4 of 6 shooting, including two three pointers and two free throws
-Magic went on a 74-48 run after falling behind 40-24
Here is the complete recap and box score from nba.com.
posted by Mike from Illinois @ 9:30 PM
1 Comments:
At 9:41 PM,
Mike from Illinois said…
This game was nowhere near as intense as it might have been because the game was meaningless to the Cavs and with LBJ sitting out to rest up for the playoffs.
It will be a huge upset if these two teams do not meet in the Eastern Conference Finals, as they are far and away the best two teams in the East.
Both teams are better than they were last season, and it should be one heck of a series.
That's a long way off, though; we have to see how the first two rounds of the playoffs play out first.
Thanks to the Lakers being unable to defeat Portland in LA, with the Blazers missing Brandon Roy, the Magic now have the better record and all they have to do is win their remaining two games to finish with the second best record.
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