Orlando Pinstriped Post - Magic at Cavaliers: Reeling Orlando visits ClevelandAn Orlando Magic blog with news, rumors, analysis, and commentaryhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/21281/orlando-fave.jpg2013-02-09T00:00:02-05:00http://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/rss/stream/37308412013-02-09T00:00:02-05:002013-02-09T00:00:02-05:00Magic at Cavaliers fan prediction results
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<p>Below are the results of Orlando Pinstriped Post's Fan Predictions contest for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic's</a> loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> on February 8th, 2013.</p>
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<p align="center">Rank</p>
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<p>Username</p>
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<p align="center">Points</p>
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<p align="center">1</p>
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<p>Mark_Comix</p>
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<p align="center">8</p>
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<p align="center">2</p>
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<p>fatstan</p>
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<p align="center">6</p>
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<p align="center">3</p>
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<p>khlotsesh</p>
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<p align="center">5</p>
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<p>malenko</p>
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<td valign="bottom" width="216">
<p>Raidmagic</p>
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<td valign="bottom" width="216">
<p>TheGiantSquid</p>
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<p align="center">7</p>
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<p>BigMac12111</p>
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<p align="center">3</p>
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<p align="center">8</p>
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<p>rsalas17</p>
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<p align="center">2</p>
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<td valign="bottom" width="64">
<p align="center">9</p>
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<p>IsaacAfterAll</p>
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<td valign="bottom" width="92">
<p align="center">0</p>
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<p>Here are the questions, with the correct answers added in italics:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>How many points will the Magic score? <em>108.</em></p></li>
<li><p>How many points will the Cavaliers score? <em>119.</em></p></li>
<li><p>Which player will lead the game in scoring? <em><span>Nikola Vučević</span> scored 25 points for Orlando.</em></p></li>
<li><p>How many rebounds will Magic center <span>Nikola Vučević</span> tally? <em>13.</em></p></li>
<li><p>Which Orlando player will record the team's first three-point basket of the second half? <em><span>Arron Afflalo</span>.</em></p></li>
<li><p>Will Cleveland guard <span>Kyrie Irving</span> make more than or less than 3.5 three-point baskets? <em>Less than three threes.</em></p></li>
</ol>
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https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/2013/2/9/3969668/cleveland-cavaliers-orlando-magic-2012-nba-predictionsEvan Dunlap2013-02-08T23:04:00-05:002013-02-08T23:04:00-05:00Magic at Cavs: Late 13-0 run dooms Orlando
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<img alt="Arron Afflalo, Kyrie Irving, and Nik Vucevic" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/4VcLMBCiT-CWPJtxwxN4RGsu09o=/0x74:1049x773/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/7884885/20130208irvingvucevic_ericpmullusat.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Arron Afflalo, Kyrie Irving, and Nik Vucevic | Eric P. Pull - USA Today Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Orlando welcomed back leading scorer Arron Afflalo to the starting lineup, and he helped jump-start the offense, but the Magic's defense was nowhere to be found in yet another loss.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> All-Star point guard <span>Kyrie Irving</span> scored 15 of his 24 points in the second half, along with 8 assists on the game, to lead his team past the visiting Orlando Magic, 119-108, on Friday night. Irving's contributions were more than enough to overcome a career-high 25 points, along with 13 rebounds, from Orlando center <span>Nik Vucevic</span>.</p>
<p>Orlando outshot Cleveland 52.2% to 48.8%, and outscored the Cavs 98-85 from the field, while outrebounding Cleveland 39-32, which might lead one to think the <a href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Magic</a> should have won the game. But, as has been a recurring theme for the Magic this season, their lack of free throw attempts and not forcing opponents' turnovers really was the killer for them tonight. Cleveland attempted 41 free throws to Orlando's 13, and outscored the Magic 34-10 from the charity stripe, including 22-4 in the second half. Orlando forced just six Cleveland turnovers, while the Magic committed 19.</p>
<p>The Cavaliers were by far the more aggressive team, which is why they had such an edge on free throws, plus their transition game also was too much for the Magic to handle, as they outscored the Magic 20-7 on fast-break points.</p>
<p>The Cleveland bench was also a big factor, as they outscored the Magic reserves 51-15. <span>Marreese Speights</span> and <span>Wayne Ellington</span> combined for 32 points, with Speights perfect in a career-high 12 free throw attempts.</p>
<p>Vucevic had 15 points and 10 rebounds at the half, and Afflalo had 14 points, as the teams were tied at 56. The Magic outrebounded the Cavaliers 23-13 in the first half, including holding Cleveland to just one offensive rebound. Rookie shooting guard <span>Dion Waiters</span> led Cleveland with 13 first-half points, power forward <span>Tristan Thompson</span> had 10 points, and Irving had 9 points along with 6 rebounds.</p>
<p>Orlando had a 80-77 lead with 2:24 remaining in the third quarter after a Vucevic putback, but the Cavaliers went on a 13-0 run to lead 90-80 with under 11 minutes remaining in the game, and never lost the lead afterwards. The Magic did not give up, to their credit, as <span>Josh McRoberts</span> and <span>Jameer Nelson</span> hit 3s to cut the Cavs lead to six. Orlando made five 3s in the final quarter to attempt to stay in the game.</p>
<p>It was a 106-101 Cavaliers' lead with 4:26 remaining when Irving drove in for a spectacular layup to up the lead to seven, and that effectively put the game away with the Cavaliers going on a 10-3 run to lead by 12 with just over a minute remaining.</p>
<p><span>Andrew Nicholson</span> finished one point off his career-high, scoring 21 points on 9 of 13 shooting, along with 8 rebounds and 2 blocks in 31 minutes. Maurice Harkless, playing 43 minutes, finished with 9 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks. Nelson finished with a double-double of 15 points and 13 assists, but made just 1 of his first 9 shots and finished 5 of 16 from the field, including 4 of 9 on 3s. Afflalo finished with 23 points on 9 of 17 shooting in his return to the lineup.</p>
<p>Thompson finished with 16 points and Waiters 15 points for Cleveland.</p>
<p>Orlando hosts the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Portland Trail Blazers</a> Sunday night.</p>
https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/2012-13-recaps/2013/2/8/3969590/orlando-magic-cleveland-cavaliers-2013-final-score-nikola-vucevicMike from Illinois2013-02-08T17:30:06-05:002013-02-08T17:30:06-05:00Magic at Cavaliers GameThread
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<img alt="Byron Scott" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Ut8ASlRopdPbgr4ZWPm1WOzlmuY=/0x1111:2667x2889/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/7832781/20130206_ajl_ar7_138.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Byron Scott | David Richard-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Two lottery-bound teams square off Friday at The Q.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Orlando Magic</a> stand just one half-game "ahead" of the <a href="https://www.fearthesword.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> for the NBA's third-worst record. Those two teams meet Friday night in Cleveland. Game time is 7:30 PM on Fox Sports Florida in the Orlando market.</p>
<p>Register all your pre- and in-game comments in this GameThread. </p>
<table cellspacing="5" border="1" align="center" cellpadding="5"><tbody> <tr><th align="center" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3">2012/2013 NBA Season</th></tr> <tr> <td width="240"><center><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/incurock31/3QC/Logos/orl_new.jpg" alt="Orlando Magic main logo"></center></td> <th align="center" width="20">@</th> <td width="240"><center><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v73/incurock31/3QC/Logos/clenew.jpg" alt="Cleveland Cavaliers main logo"></center></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="240"><center>14-35 (6-18 road)<br>Lost 11</center></td> <th align="center" width="20"></th> <td width="240"><center>15-34 (8-13 home)<br>Won 2</center></td> </tr> <tr><td align="center" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3"><strong>February 8th, 2013</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>Quicken Loans Arena</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>7:30 PM</strong></td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3"><strong>Fox Sports Florida / 96.5 FM</strong></td></tr> <tr><th align="center" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3"><strong>Possible Starters</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Jameer Nelson</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">PG</th> <td bgcolor="gold" width="240"><span>Kyrie Irving</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Arron Afflalo</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">SG</th> <td width="240"><span>Dion Waiters</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Maurice Harkless</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">SF</th> <td width="240"><span>Alonzo Gee</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Andrew Nicholson</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">PF</th> <td width="240"><span>Tristan Thompson</span></td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240"><span>Nikola Vučević</span></td> <th align="center" width="20">C</th> <td width="240"><span>Tyler Zeller</span></td> </tr> <tr><th align="center" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3"><strong>2012/13 Advanced Stats</strong></th></tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">91.3 (18th)</td> <th align="center" width="20">Pace</th> <td width="240">92.3 (T-9th)</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">102.0 (T-27th)</td> <th align="center" width="20">ORtg</th> <td width="240">104.1 (17th)</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="right" width="240">107.4 (25th)</td> <th align="center" width="20">DRtg</th> <td width="240">109.0 (27th)</td> </tr> <tr><th align="center" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"><strong>Season Series</strong></th></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3">Nov. 23: <span>Magic 108, Cavaliers 104</span> </td></tr> <tr><th align="center" bgcolor="silver" colspan="3"><strong>Game Officials</strong></th></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3">Mike Callahan</td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3">Kevin Cutler</td></tr> <tr><td align="center" colspan="3">Gary Zielinski</td></tr> <tr><th height="20" colspan="3" bgcolor="silver"></th></tr> </tbody></table>
<p><em>Looking for </em><a href="http://www.tiqiq.com/nba/orlando-magic-tickets?pubid=82145"><em>Orlando Magic tickets</em></a><em>? Orlando Pinstriped Post has you covered. We invite you to follow </em><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/oppmagicblog"><em>Orlando Pinstriped Post on Twitter</em></a><em> and like </em><a href="https://www.facebook.com/OrlandoPinstripedPost"><em>Orlando Pinstriped Post on Facebook</em></a><em>.</em></p>
https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/2013/2/8/3965932/magic-at-cavaliers-game-time-tv-schedule-and-moreEvan Dunlap2013-02-08T14:19:08-05:002013-02-08T14:19:08-05:00Predict Magic at Cavaliers
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<img alt="Moondog" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/aHNbVBfh-1t6-Y_u8hep_w3O0j4=/0x0:3837x2558/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/7842703/20130109_ajw_ar7_203.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Moondog | David Richard-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Respond correctly in the comments to the questions posed in this post and earn bragging rights throughout the OPP community.</p> <p>As part of a continuing game-day feature, Orlando Pinstriped Post invites you to predict some outcomes from Friday's matchup between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cleveland Cavaliers</a>. </p>
<p>The winner of each week's prediction contest will receive a shout-out on OPP. </p>
<ol>
<li>
<p>How many points will the Magic score? A correct response to this question is worth one point.</p>
<ul><li><p>Correctly guessing the winner of the game, regardless of the score, is worth an additional point. Correctly guessing the final score for each team is worth a total of ten points.</p></li></ul>
</li>
<li>
<p>How many points will the Cavaliers score? A correct response to this question is worth one point.</p>
<ul><li><p>Correctly guessing the winner of the game, regardless of the score, is worth an additional point. Correctly guessing the final score for each team is worth a total of ten points.</p></li></ul>
</li>
<li>
<p>Which player will lead the game in scoring and how many points will he score?</p>
<ul><li><p>Correctly guessing the player earns you one point; correctly guessing the player and the points scored earns you a total of two points.</p></li></ul>
</li>
<li>
<p>How many rebounds will Magic center <span>Nikola Vučević</span> tally?</p>
<ul><li><p>Correctly guessing the number of rebounds earns you one point.</p></li></ul>
</li>
<li>
<p>Which Orlando player will record the team's first three-point basket of the second half?</p>
<ul><li><p>A correct response is worth three points. In the event that the Magic do not make any threes after halftime, one point will be awarded to everyone who submitted a response to this question.</p></li></ul>
</li>
<li>
<p>Will Cleveland guard <span>Kyrie Irving</span> make more than or less than 3.5 three-point baskets?</p>
<ul><li><p>A correct response is worth three points. </p></li></ul>
</li>
</ol>
<p>Break a leg.</p>
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https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/2013/2/8/3966792/cleveland-cavaliers-orlando-magic-2013-nba-predictionsEvan Dunlap2013-02-08T12:40:39-05:002013-02-08T12:40:39-05:00Afflalo to return, Redick to sit against Cavs
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<img alt="Arron Afflalo" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9oIE5Pte2v0ESPcEFK1nNkG2u_M=/64x287:2978x2230/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/7860373/20130205_kkt_sv7_947.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Arron Afflalo | USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The veteran swingman will play Friday when Orlando visits Cleveland. However, J.J. Redick will miss the game.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic</a> swingman <span>Arron Afflalo</span> will return to his team's lineup Friday night as it visits the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cleveland Cavaliers</a>, <a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/blogs/magic-basketblog/os-mbb-arron-afflalo-jj-redick-magic-cavaliers-20130208,0,152975.post" target="blank">reports</a> Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel. "I'm excited," Afflalo said of the opportunity to play. "I’ve had a chance to sit back and watch a little bit, get healthy, but hopefully I can come back and provide a certain spark and get things moving in a positive direction for whatever reason."</p>
<p>Afflalo missed the Magic's last six games and the fourth quarter of a seventh game, all losses, with a strained left calf.</p>
<p>Afflalo's return should reinvigorate a sagging Magic offense. At 16.7 points per game, the UCLA product leads Orlando in scoring.</p>
<p><span>J.J. Redick</span>, the team's second-leading scorer on the season, will not play Friday, coach <span>Jacque Vaughn</span> said, because his right shoulder is still sore. Redick initially hurt the shoulder Saturday against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.brewhoop.com/">Milwaukee Bucks</a> and he has yet to play since.</p>
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https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/2013/2/8/3967936/arron-afflalo-injury-calf-magic-cavaliers-2013Evan Dunlap2013-02-08T08:00:13-05:002013-02-08T08:00:13-05:00Magic at Cavs: Bottom-feeders battle in Cleveland
<figure>
<img alt="Luke Walton and Bennett Salvatore" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lRZ0kykvKgMDaeQbAFVtUTbe6Zg=/0x230:2667x2008/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/7831791/20130206_ajl_ar7_035.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Luke Walton and Bennett Salvatore | David Richard-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Magic knocked off the Kyrie Irving-less Cavs in November.</p>
<div class="sidebar">
<a href="http://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/2013/2/7/3964182/orlando-magic-news-jacque-vaughn-practice-cavaliers-2013">
<h2>Practice report: Kyrie, injury updates, more</h2>
<img src="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/7816099/20130131_kkt_aq2_085.0_standard_352.0.jpg" alt="Kyrie Irving"></a>
<span>Orlando Pinstriped Post empties its notebook after the Magic's practice on Thursday.</span>
</div>
<p>Mired in their worst losing streak since they dropped 13 straight games from March through April 2004, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic</a> visit the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> on Friday in a matchup of two lottery-bound teams. Tipoff is set for 7:30 PM Eastern on Fox Sports Florida in the Orlando market. The Orlando Pinstriped Post GameThread will appear at 5:30 PM in this StoryStream and on the cover.</p>
<p><strong>Orlando's last time out</strong>: Behind 18 points from <span>Jameer Nelson</span>, the Magic built a two-point halftime lead against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a> on Wednesday, only to watch that lead evaporate as L.A. took command with a 24-13 third quarter. Nelson went scoreless in the second half. Injuries held <span>Arron Afflalo</span> and <span>J.J. Redick</span>, the Magic's two leading scorers, out of the game, though Afflalo is expected to return to the lineup Friday.</p>
<p><strong>Cleveland's last time out</strong>: The Cavs dominated the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/charlotte-bobcats">Charlotte Bobcats</a>, 122-95, at home on Wednesday, a game which they led by a 100-67 margin after three quarters. All-Star point guard <span>Kyrie Irving</span> scored 22 to lead five Cavaliers in double-figures. Recently acquired big man <span>Marreese Speights</span> had 11 points and 10 boards off the bench for Cleveland, which prevailed despite allowing the Bobcats to shoot 46.8 percent from the floor.</p>
<p><strong><span>The last meeting</span></strong>: Orlando edged the visiting Cavaliers, 108-104, at Amway Center on Black Friday. Nelson scored 22 points in that game, while Afflalo had 19 and Redick added 18 off the bench. The Magic led by just one point with 47.9 seconds to play, but Redick found <span>Nikola Vučević</span> for a layup at the 32.3-second mark to boost the home team's lead to three points. Redick went on to hit eight free throws in the final 21.9 seconds to seal the win. Rookie Cleveland guard <span>Dion Waiters</span> scored 25 points to lead his team. Irving did not play.</p>
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https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/2013/2/8/3965846/cleveland-cavaliers-orlando-magic-preview-2013-nba-scheduleEvan Dunlap2013-02-07T14:48:19-05:002013-02-07T14:48:19-05:00Practice report: Kyrie, injury updates, more
<figure>
<img alt="Kyrie Irving" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/R4kFXcy1EXh2w3u2pQDeeMH6cKc=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/7815743/20130131_kkt_aq2_085.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kyrie Irving | Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Orlando Pinstriped Post empties its notebook after the Magic's practice on Thursday.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/">Orlando Magic</a> practiced Thursday before departing for Friday's game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fearthesword.com/">Cleveland Cavaliers</a>. Below are the highlights from the post-practice availability session.</p>
<h4>Magic concerned with Irving</h4>
<p>What stands out about the Cavaliers? Magic coach <span>Jacque Vaughn</span> didn't hesitate in offering an answer to that question.</p>
<p>"Mr. <span>[Kyrie] Irving</span> stands out, without a doubt," said Orlando's first-year head coach. "He is an All-Star and he is playing at an unbelievably high level. Taking over games, making game-winning shots... he's a special, special point guard. And he's got them playing at a high level."</p>
<p>In his second season out of Duke, Irving is averaging 23.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.7 steals. What makes him such a tough cover?</p>
<p>"He can score," Vaughn said. "He's extremely quick. He can finish at the rim [with] both hands. And he pushes the pace. He's fearless. That's some good qualities to have."</p>
<p><span>Jameer Nelson</span> will be tasked with defending Irving for much of Friday's game. "We just gotta try to contain him and send him to the help [defender]," Nelson said of how he plans to approach defending the 20-year-old. "He's a guy who's gonna shoot the ball and he's gonna score and get his numbers. [I] just gotta make it tough on him as much as I can."</p>
<p>For what other Cavaliers do the Magic need to prepare? Nelson mentioned <span>Anderson Varejão</span> and offered his scouting report on the Brazilian center, unaware that Varejao will miss the rest of the season due to right knee surgery and a blood clot in his lung.</p>
<p>When the media told Nelson about Varejao's injury, the veteran point guard defended himself by saying he doesn't read the internet or watch television.</p>
<h4>Injury woes</h4>
<p>Vaughn said that <span>J.J. Redick</span> (shoulder), <span>Hedo Turkoglu</span> (flu-like symptoms), and <span>Arron Afflalo</span> (calf) did not practice Thursday. Jameer Nelson (arm), <span>Al Harrington</span> (knee), and <span>DeQuan Jones</span> (foot) did participate. Despite Afflalo's absence in Thursday's practice, Vaughn still expects him to play Friday against Cleveland.</p>
<p>Vaughn is "not sure" if Redick will be able to play.</p>
<p>"We don't need anyone else going down, so any coughing can stay away from me and the rest of the players," Vaughn said of Turkoglu.</p>
<h4>Learning from defeat</h4>
<p>Vaughn's point of emphasis Thursday was "controlling what we can control," he said. </p>
<p>"There's a lot of opportunities in the course of a game where you can control, whether or not it's running hard into a screen, and running out of a screen or actually screening for a teammate, or boxing out... those things you can do every single possession. It's just a matter of willing yourself to do it, and doing it over and over again."</p>
<h4>Staying positive</h4>
<p>Some Magic players have nicknamed Vaughn the "Prince of Positivity" for his calm demeanor and optimistic outlook despite the Magic's poor play in recent weeks; Orlando has lost 22 of its last 24 games and now owns the league's third-worst record overall.</p>
<p>Rookie forward <span>Maurice Harkless</span> isn't sure how Vaughn is able to stay positive. </p>
<p>"If I was him, I'd be pulling my hair out," Harkless said, casting a glance across the practice floor to Vaughn, who was chatting with Nelson. "But he ain't got no hair though, so... I'd be going crazy if I was him. I don't know how he does it."</p>
<p>Harkless said he's benefitted from Vaughn's even-temperedness.</p>
<p>"It kinda helps me out a little bit," Harkless said. "To look over and see him not going crazy, it kinda calms me down a little bit when I'm out there on the court. It's a good thing that he's able to keep his poise."</p>
<h4>Vučević to learn Rising Stars fate</h4>
<p>Magic center <span>Nikola Vučević</span> learned on January 30th that the NBA's assistant coaches had selected him to participate in the <a href="http://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/2013/1/30/3930402/2013-nba-all-star-weekend-rising-stars-nikola-vucevic-magic">Rising Stars Challenge</a> at All-Star Weekend in Houston. On Thursday, he'll learn with whom and for whom he'll be playing, as coaches Charles Barkley and <span>Shaquille O'Neal</span> will draft teams from the 18-player pool at 7 PM Eastern on TNT.</p>
<p>In his second season out of USC, Vučević is averaging 12.1 points, 11.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.2 blocked shots for Orlando.</p>
<p>The other sophomores in the Rising Stars pool are <span>Kenneth Faried</span>, Irving, <span>Brandon Knight</span>, <span>Kawhi Leonard</span>, <span>Chandler Parsons</span>, <span>Klay Thompson</span>, <span>Tristan Thompson</span>, and <span>Kemba Walker</span>. The rookies in the pool are <span>Harrison Barnes</span>, <span>Bradley Beal</span>, <span>Anthony Davis</span>, <span>Andre Drummond</span>, <span>Michael Kidd-Gilchrist</span>, <span>Damian Lillard</span>, <span>Alexey Shved</span>, <span>Dion Waiters</span>, and <span>Tyler Zeller</span>.</p>
<p>TNT will broadcast the Rising Stars Challenge at 9 PM Eastern on February 15th. </p>
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https://www.orlandopinstripedpost.com/2013/2/7/3964182/orlando-magic-news-jacque-vaughn-practice-cavaliers-2013Evan Dunlap