Cleveland Cavaliers' Role Players Not Likely to Repeat Game 5 Shooting Success
One of the difference-making factors in the Cleveland Cavaliers' 112-102 win over the Orlando Magic in Game 5 was the ability of the role-players, namely Mo Williams, Delonte West, and Daniel Gibson, to make the open shots that they had missed in prior games. The trio combined for 48 points on 16-of-32 from the field, and 9-of-15 from three-point range. They were largely dependent on LeBron James to get the ball to them on the perimeter, as he assisted on 6 of their 9 three-point makes. Will that drive-and-kick success in Game 5 carryover in tonight's Game 6 in Orlando?
If history is any indication, the answer is no. Neither of those three players has enjoyed much success in Amway Arena throughout their career.
| Player | FG | FGA | FG% | 3FG | 3FGA | 3FG% | eFG% | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gibson | 7 | 20 | 35.0% | 4 | 10 | 40.0% | 45.0% | 4.8 |
| West | 39 | 104 | 37.5% | 9 | 28 | 32.1% | 41.8% | 12.0 |
| Williams | 49 | 132 | 37.1% | 12 | 32 | 37.5% | 41.7% | 11.2 |
| TOTAL | 95 | 256 | 37.1% | 25 | 70 | 35.7% | 41.9% | 28.0 |
The Cavaliers figure to employ a three-guard backcourt for much of Game 6, likely with those three players, according to John Schuhmann of NBA.com. They'll certainly have plenty of chances to knock down open shots, as it's highly likely the Magic will send an extra defender at James when he handles the ball at the top of the key. It's all part of playing the percentages, which are in this case very skewed in Orlando's favor.
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I'd like to see more of our big lineup tonight
Hedo/MP/Lewis/Gortat/Dwight
That should correct some of our rebounding woes and we can still run some dominating sets against whatever Cavs defense we see.
Also good will be;
Hedo/Lee/MP/Lewis/Howard
More shooting over the big lineup and more defense/rebounding over the traditional lineup.
You know, this brings me to a point; why do we go with starting unit we go with? If you look at the plus/minus numbers over the regular season and these playoffs that lineup has been slightly above average, and really worse that that in the postseason.
'Coach, Dwight is a nice guy. Dwight don't hit anybody. But Superman will knock the crap out of you.' - D12
.. Magic can't trot out Gortat and Howard together.
Orlando needs as much offense as possible against Cleveland.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone
Sort of.
West and Williams had good games.
I'm the other guy at Third Quarter Collapse, with a Twitter account.
"Never hate your enemies. It affects your judgement." - Michael Corleone

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