Oh, and one more thing I forgot to mention. Despite the refs and our terrible guard play, free throws once again cost us the game. LeBron and AJ both missed key free throws down the stretch, 16-25 just won't cut it down the stretch run...
Nah, we had a 5 point lead after most of their missed shots were taken (2-4 down the stretch if I recall correctly), we lost the game because of 3 straight empty possessions where LeBron had the ball in his hands. 2 bad jumpers and a travel. That was the swing in the game, not what happened long before that.Mo Williams - 1/9 (first and only FG in the 4th quarter)
Anthony Parker - 1/4 (first and only FG in the 4th quarter)
The refs may have blown some calls, but the Cavs lost this game because of the continued ineptitude at the starting guard positions.
I think its time to start Mo, Delonte, Shaq, Jamison, and Lebron.
20-5
19-8
Those are the points and rebounds for Shaq and Jamison, I really like that production. We saw glimpses of what this team can do with Jamison starting and despite this loss, I know we have a legit shot of coming out of the East via beating the Magic. Hell, we have Shaq who pretty much has Dwight in his sights and now Jamison is a handful for Lewis.
If someone would've told you that after that embarrassing loss in the regular season in Orlando last season and after going 0-3 in Orlando in the postseason that the Cavaliers would be 1-1 in Amway Arena this season and 2-1 against Magic overall (1-2 last season), what would you say?
The Cavaliers match up much better against Orlando this year, but you can't expect to beat them every game. This is a team that ruled the Cavaliers in Orlando last season and it took smelling salt to get Vince out of his coma, Jameer Nelson stepping up, and some big-time plays down the stretch just to beat a Cavaliers team featuring their second game with Antawn Jamison and second game with Mo Williams back in the starting lineup.
It also took some heavy protection of Dwight Howard courtesy of the officiating crew (e.g. Dwight using his elbow to slam Andy, Dwight fouling LeBron with the call being out of bounds, Dwight charging on Antawn yet called a block). But this isn't about the officials. This is about realizing the difference between a regular season game and the postseason. The Cavaliers will be just fine against this Orlando team in the playoffs especially with Vince Carter expected to play in only one out of every two or three games. It's a regular season loss against a team the Cavs have already beat twice. You can't win 'em all. Grow up.
In fact, I remember the Cavs only regular season win over the Magic last season coming on a strong fourth quarter effort by LeBron James where he planted every three he took after the Cavs were down early in the quarter. The shoe was on the other foot today. But Orlando can't expect to come on strong in the final five minutes in order to win every game, much like the Cavs couldn't simply ride out miraculous LeBron shots in the final frame to overcome deficit last season.
However, this was a tough game to stomach. Antawn played great as did Shaq. LeBron played phenomenal but avoided the paint like quicksand in the final five minutes. The fourth quarter gave me Vietnam-like flashbacks to the ECF last year.
And while Delonte West missed a lot of his shots when driving, anyone notice how the Cavs absolutely dominated the glass when he was doing that? As soon as the offense started shooting jumpers, it was one and out. No offensive rebounds, no second chance points, and a tailor made fastbreak for Orlando. That's my only beef with today's game. The inability to attack in critical moments of the game and settle for jumpshots instead. When faced with a chance to make it a three possession game up five at the time, LeBron settled for a long two. This fueled a 9-0 run by the Magic to take a four point lead. Big time difference in philosophy in the final five minutes. Inside-out basketball by the Magic compared to stand around complacency jumpers by the Cavs.
Disappointing to say the least, but don't read too far into it as far as the playoffs go.
If someone would've told you that after that embarrassing loss in the regular season in Orlando last season and after going 0-3 in Orlando in the postseason that the Cavaliers would be 1-1 in Amway Arena this season and 2-1 against Magic overall (1-2 last season), what would you say?
The Cavaliers match up much better against Orlando this year, but you can't expect to beat them every game. This is a team that ruled the Cavaliers in Orlando last season and it took smelling salt to get Vince out of his coma, Jameer Nelson stepping up, and some big-time plays down the stretch just to beat a Cavaliers team featuring their second game with Antawn Jamison and second game with Mo Williams back in the starting lineup.
It also took some heavy protection of Dwight Howard courtesy of the officiating crew (e.g. Dwight using his elbow to slam Andy, Dwight fouling LeBron with the call being out of bounds, Dwight charging on Antawn yet called a block). But this isn't about the officials. This is about realizing the difference between a regular season game and the postseason. The Cavaliers will be just fine against this Orlando team in the playoffs especially with Vince Carter expected to play in only one out of every two or three games. It's a regular season loss against a team the Cavs have already beat twice. You can't win 'em all. Grow up.
In fact, I remember the Cavs only regular season win over the Magic last season coming on a strong fourth quarter effort by LeBron James where he planted every three he took after the Cavs were down early in the quarter. The shoe was on the other foot today. But Orlando can't expect to come on strong in the final five minutes in order to win every game, much like the Cavs couldn't simply ride out miraculous LeBron shots in the final frame to overcome deficit last season.
However, this was a tough game to stomach. Antawn played great as did Shaq. LeBron played phenomenal but avoided the paint like quicksand in the final five minutes. The fourth quarter gave me Vietnam-like flashbacks to the ECF last year.
And while Delonte West missed a lot of his shots when driving, anyone notice how the Cavs absolutely dominated the glass when he was doing that? As soon as the offense started shooting jumpers, it was one and out. No offensive rebounds, no second chance points, and a tailor made fastbreak for Orlando. That's my only beef with today's game. The inability to attack in critical moments of the game and settle for jumpshots instead. When faced with a chance to make it a three possession game up five at the time, LeBron settled for a long two. This fueled a 9-0 run by the Magic to take a four point lead. Big time difference in philosophy in the final five minutes. Inside-out basketball by the Magic compared to stand around complacency jumpers by the Cavs.
Disappointing to say the least, but don't read too far into it as far as the playoffs go.