What They're Saying Before the Orlando Magic Face Off Against the Cleveland Cavaliers
by erivera7 on Feb 11, 2010 8:00 AM EST
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The Magic trounced the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night at United Center, riding a 41-17 first quarter.
Brian Schmitz sets the stage.Tonight, in a rumble in Ohio, [Stan] Van Gundy and the Magic face Cleveland.
The Cavs, boasting the NBA's best record at 42-11, trounced the Magic 102-93 on Nov. 11 at Amway Arena. Orlando did not have [Rashard] Lewis, who was serving a league-mandated suspension.
"We haven't played them in a while and they handed it to us the last time," [Jameer] Nelson said. "We're looking forward to it. They got that one guy over there."
LeBron [James], a force of nature, awaits. -
Only an NBA title will validate Magic's trust in Carter
George Diaz notes that, in his opinion, the play of Vince Carter will decide whether or not the Orlando Magic win an NBA title this year.The Magic aren't much different than anybody else with high expectations. The Boston Celtics are shaky, with a 3-9 record against the best eight teams in the league. That includes a 1-3 mark against the Magic, who have also whacked the Atlanta Hawks three consecutive times this season. A win tonight against Cleveland makes Orlando's playoff prospects even stronger.
Winning solves everything, and silences a lot of questions about Van Gundy's temper, [Dwight] Howard's inexplicable disappearance in some games, and Carter's inability to find a bouncy rhythm in his jump shot.
More after the jump.
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Jawad Williams' long journey brings him to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and home
Jodie Valade of The Plain Dealer talks about Jawad Williams' journey which led him to find a home with the Cleveland Cavaliers. -
It's age, not Magic, that allows Orlando to pass fast-fading Boston Celtics
Bud Shaw of The Plain Dealer sets up some of the storylines surrounding the matchup between the Magic and the Cavaliers.After his 48 the other night, the Magic gave Carter the game ball. It's not common practice during the regular season and it smacks of artificially trying to lift Carter up in hopes he'll begin to meet expectations.
Will he be that player again Thursday? For Orlando's sake he needs to be, because they lost a player in [Hedo] Turkoglu who made others around him better. -
Shuffled lineups give a new look to rematch with Orlando
Mary Schmitt Boyer of The Plain Dealer gathers the thoughts of head coach Mike Brown, LeBron James, and Shaquille O'Neal on tonight's game. -
Thursday Morning Shootaround
UPDATE: Benson Taylor of The Baseline chimes in.The Cavs beat the Magic earlier this season in their first meeting since last season's Eastern Conference finals. That game, however, was in mid-November, with both teams getting used to the new additions on their rosters.
The Magic will be playing in the second half of back-to-back nights, but they've also been playing well of late, having won nine of their last 11 entering Wednesday's game against the Bulls. -
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Orlando Magic, Delonte West a gametime decision
UPDATE 2: Brian Windhorst of The Plain Dealer provides another look at the matchup that features the top two teams in the Eastern Conference.After not playing well at all though January, the Magic have rebounded strongly. They have won 10 of 12 including two wins over Boston and New Orleans and Atlanta. Their offense continues to be streaky, primarily because they rely a lot on Carter, but what has made the difference is their defense. When Howard is working to defend the rim and they are actually showing effort, the Magic are a good defensive team. They have been a good defensive team more often during this current streak. But it is their weakness, too. There are periods where the Magic just quit playing D. The Cavs do get one advantage, though, this is the Magic's fourth game in five nights and fifth in seven days.
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I'm just hoping for a win!
Anything beyond that is just frosting on the cake. I’m not expecting VC to have another 48 point night, but it certainly wouldn’t hurt. Should be an all around good game. The Magic are finally getting it together and seem have found their stride. Let’s just hope they can keep it.
Let me ask a dumb question. Why don’t the Magic grab LeBron like the other teams do to Howard? Sometimes there is a foul called and sometimes not but it causes frustration and Howard gets a Technical. Ok LeBron makes more free throws but that does not relieves the frustration. It looks as if we have 12 fouls to give (Foyle and Bass). I know LeBron weighs 260. Just a question. It’s like monkey see why don’t monkey do?
The fouls are different
The refs see DH as a huge rock. When someone is fouling on him, sometimes they just let them play because the big dude tend to be rougher. But, I don’t think they would let any fouls get away on LeBron. I mean I guess no one can know until we see how the refs are calling tonight. We all know it changes from night to night what is and is not a foul. Sometimes even quarter to quarter.
It's because of the hand-checking rules, it has nothing to do with size.
I write for Orlando Pinstriped Post and have a Twitter account.
"The second unit is kind of crazy because the second unit is only white guys." - Marcin Gortat
Because LeBron is way too strong and he's a moving target.
Unlike Dwight, who’s more stationary when he’s posting up in the lane.
I write for Orlando Pinstriped Post and have a Twitter account.
"The second unit is kind of crazy because the second unit is only white guys." - Marcin Gortat
It appears to me if you even touch LeBron and Kobe there is a foul called. If you don’t grab him then there is a three point play. Grab him and make him earn two points 15 feet away plus the frustration. I know it’s hard to stop a freight train but if no flagrant foul is called then make him earn his two point one at a time.
Again, it's because of the hand-checking rules in the NBA.
Perimeter players are referee’d differently and that’s the reality (it’s by Stern’s design).
I write for Orlando Pinstriped Post and have a Twitter account.
"The second unit is kind of crazy because the second unit is only white guys." - Marcin Gortat
I always LOVE when we beat CHI
It’s how I started loving Magic. My best friend and I were playing a lot of NBA 9X on Sega Mega Drive system (anyone?). He used to play with CHI and was unbeatable :(.
Then, I discovered Shaq and crew…. You gotta love em! Every time we beat them I give him a call…. It goes both ways, so, as u know, I had a phone call recently :P
No, NBA title is not the only way for VC to validate our trust. With the LA show going on, ’ship is almost unreachable :). But, Finals sound nice :).
And, yes, use age to beat Cs. They assembled they roster and will take every advantage there is to take from it to beat us. We will do the same.
P.S. far-way, LeBron is something else. I am not a fan, but he is clearly the best player today. There are many things to grabbing. I somehow feel that would went the opposite way-he’d start playing better :D
Gotta Contain the rest of the Cavs Players
We all know that the Cleveland Cavaliers are very much dependant on one player. I say we let Lebron have his shine but just as long as we shut down everyone else. Let’s face it, no one is completely gonna stop Lebron. But Lebron can’t possibly score 81 all by himself.
That's the strategy the Magic elected to use last year in the playoffs.
LeBron is going to get his because he’s the best player in the NBA, but stop everyone else.
I write for Orlando Pinstriped Post and have a Twitter account.
"The second unit is kind of crazy because the second unit is only white guys." - Marcin Gortat
Let the Big Boyz play...
I don’t know who’s assigned to the game, but I hope they want to get out of the Q and get a nice steak dinner before the break. Shaq and Howard can bang all day, no ticky-tack fouls please!!! Let’s see the flow of two of the better NBA teams. I think it will come down to the 7th, 8th man. If we can get one tonight then the break will be very nice and the doubts might start creeping in to the Cavs. I think their skill set is superior, by a smidgen, but between the ears…?
by mike in munich on Feb 11, 2010 11:09 AM EST reply actions
If by skill set you mean roster
I will have to disagree.
No one team in the NBA is as deep as the Magic
"Who wants to buy some DVD's?"~Big Z
The Magic are the deeper team, but the Cavaliers have the best player in the NBA.
And sometimes, that’s all that matters.
I write for Orlando Pinstriped Post and have a Twitter account.
"The second unit is kind of crazy because the second unit is only white guys." - Marcin Gortat
First match of the season went the wrong way when Shaq got D12 in early foul trouble.
If I were a betting man, I’d bet that they will try to do that again tonight, so Dwight must be careful. Having the team at, what looks like, full force will be good against the Cavs.
Magic Fan since the 1992-1993 Season.
by North of the South on Feb 11, 2010 11:51 AM EST reply actions
Good point.
That first game is a throw away to me though. No Anderson or Lewis took away our biggest match up advantage. Plus, as Stan pointed out gleefully, they had 4 days off before that game while we were on a back-to-back. It’s not much better now, but we’re a lot healthier and playing better. It should be a much more competitive game, since Mo Williams isn’t there to go 9-9 in the first half again (as if he would ever do that again anyways).
Yeah, that was the difference in the game (aside from Lewis and Anderson being absent).
Howard needs to stay out of foul trouble so that he deters James from attacking the basket.
I write for Orlando Pinstriped Post and have a Twitter account.
"The second unit is kind of crazy because the second unit is only white guys." - Marcin Gortat
what kind of a name is Jawad?? Did someone have a speech impediment trying to pronounce Gerrard?
Never trust a fart
by AB's triple double on Feb 11, 2010 11:59 AM EST reply actions
Cavs
A question.
Have they addressed the pick and roll thingy?
You know and how they can’t guard it..
"Who wants to buy some DVD's?"~Big Z
Verejao and LeBron are good at defending it.
But that’s it. And I don’t think they want Verejao guarding it all the way out to the 3 point line still.
Good question, I don't know.
I write for Orlando Pinstriped Post and have a Twitter account.
"The second unit is kind of crazy because the second unit is only white guys." - Marcin Gortat
Let's go...
D12-needs to avoid foul trouble. FEED THE BEAST
Meer- continue to penetrate and kick.. He can serve The boob..
VC-Play like the Feb. VC
Shard-Do what you do..
Barnes-cut to the basket and play good D.
FEED THE BEAST!!!
Twitter Account
Barnes - and give Lebron a good elbow or two while you're at it
We might as well establish the animosity early.
Even though the Hippopotamus lacks a stinger for a tail, a truly wise man would rather be sat on by a bee. ~ Banacek
This game will be very interesting.
I still think everyone knows the Magic have the best shot at taking out the Cavs in the playoffs. I don’t know if this game is really a playoff preview, but I think if you couple this game with the one a week after the all-star break in Orlando we’ll have a better idea of where these teams stand against one another.
The intensity has to go up, up! Not down...UP! -Stan Van Gundy
The next game will be a better barometer.
Unfortunately we shouldn’t expect much from this game due to a multitude of circumstances. I know, I know, they’re professionals and what not. But the only thing the Magic have going for them in this game is that Williams and possibly West will be out. The next game both teams will be on more equal footing.
Obviously we still want to win this game. Here’s to hoping we do.
Either way, it'll be a good test.
I write for Orlando Pinstriped Post and have a Twitter account.
"The second unit is kind of crazy because the second unit is only white guys." - Marcin Gortat
Dwight played 2:30 of the first quarter
and about 5 minutes of the second quarter in their first meeting. No Rashard, no RA and Mo went 9-9 from FG the first half. Bron was Bron but still Mo was their high scorer the first half. Our starting guard play of VC & Jameer put up 48 points on 50% FG. Orlando shot the 3 at 4-18 for a whopping 22% and we shot FT’s at 60%. They will definitely try and get Dwight in foul trouble again becauase it’s the best way to beat the Magic. Our defense completely smoked their bench, holding them to 2-15 FG for 10 points.
I don’t think the match up has changed. If Dwight’s not in foul trouble he will abuse the Cavs bigs. Dwight just has to be smart about it. Use his quickness to destroy Shaq by mixing it up. Work him in the post and then the next posession knock down the jumper. Force Shaq to come out and guard Dwight and keep him on his heels. Shaq is going to be extremely physical with Dwight again so play smart and get him frustrated. Pull the seat from under him, have VC attack him to try and pick up some fouls, move the ball around and make those old guys work.
I won’t be surprised if the Magic win tonight.
Life is a series of serious choices, theories are formed from experience, never mysterious forces. - stic.man
Yeah, Dwight's foul troubles and Mo were the differences in the first meeting.
I write for Orlando Pinstriped Post and have a Twitter account.
"The second unit is kind of crazy because the second unit is only white guys." - Marcin Gortat
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