Live Thread: Cavaliers @ Magic
2015-03-15
The Wine & Gold are in Florida to take on the Magic. This game is going to be the opposite of the thrilling overtime game against the Spurs. The Magic are full of young talented guys playing in a system that seems to not maximize the talent. They have just 21 wins to date.
Big man Nikola Vucevic leads the Magic in scoring with 19.5 points per game and rebounding with 11.2 boards per game. At seven feet tall, he’s a legitimate center. His ability to pretty much hit any shot aside from the three could make Timofey Mozgov have to run a little bit more than usual. Tristan Thompson might have to box out even harder if matched up against this big guy. Vucci Mane gets his stats regardless of the situation.
ESPN points out that Elfrid Payton has averaged 16.8 points and 6.8 assists the past four games. The Magic have also lost three of their last five.
The Cavs should win this game easily, but perhaps it might be a trap. Cleveland has won the last ten games against the Magic. And, the Cavs are also topping a ton of categories these days according to NBA.com’s preview:
During their 23-5 stretch since Jan. 15, the Cavs rank 1st in the NBA in points per game differential (+11.1), 1st in three-pointers made (320), 2nd in field goal percentage (.468), 2nd in points per game (108.1) and 5th in three-point percentage (.375). Defensively since that time, the Cavs are 7th in opp. field goal percentage (.428), 3rd in opp. three-point percentage (.324) and 10th in opp. points per game (97.0).
I’m not really scared though. I think it’s safe to say the Cavs are past trap games now (unless the idea of jinxing something is real). However, I’m a little worried Elfrid (See above) might overtake Anderson Varejao for the best hair in the NBA title.
What are your predictions for today? I’m calling for a win, but it won’t be a blowout. There’s going to be some Kendrick Perkins post plays by the end of the fourth quarter tonight.
Kevin Love is sitting out to rest. Shawn Marion is listed as active.
Moz still having problems inside…
Cavs are being terribly outrebounded without Love.
But most everything else is copacetic.
Vucevich is one of the better rebounders in the league, and TT is not doing much tonight
I love J.R. Smith!
Scary landing for LBJ… hope he didn’t hyperextend the knee…
He looked okay on that possession though… nice pass to JR for the SWISH!
And THAT’S how you finish on the break Elfrid…
Irving in and out on a 3! First miss since before the San Antonio game.
Kyrie finally missed a three after 11 straight…
66 is a lot of points to score in a half especially when they had 2 points after the first 4 minutes.
Need a big third quarter so starters can rest in the fourth
Only downside in first half is giving up the offensive rebounds and letting Vuch go off. Otherwise, pretty dominating first half for Cavs. They just dropped 40 on the Magic in second quarter without really even trying…
That was a much better second quarter.
40 pts is a nice qtr. hoping for a great 3rd to allow some rest
Haha not a bad finish to the half, JR Smith taking advantage of a young Oladipo.
What a DUMB foul by Oladipo!
LOVE how JR runs the break with LBJ… Always seems to make the right pass
TT has zero rebounds in 13 minutes of play…
Cavs loose D (with exception of Shump) and poor rebounding going to prevent starters from resting in fourth if they don’t clamp down in the third…
No reason for Kyrie to collapse into the paint there and leave Ridenhour wide open for the three…
Most of Kyrie’s defensive improvement this season seems to have come on ball rather than off ball. We regularly have trouble losing players and rotating slowly. Still a work-in-progress.
Moz just can’t stop Vuch…
Cavs getting outrebounded 25-13
Lauren calls the Magic on the three-second violation… where was she for the Spurs game? They LIVED in the paint…
Battle of the hairdo’s, Shumpert vs Payton
Shump’s looks cultivated, but Payton’s just looks sloppy…
Moz and TT just gave the Magic 2 points…
When is Vucevich a FA? He’d look good in a Cavs uni…
Pretty sure he just signed a new extension this season. Locked up until 2019 I believe?
JR SWISH!!!!!!!!
Our bench already has 16 pts. That’s something we don’t see every day.
Bron with the heating pad on his back on the bench… does this usually happen ?
GREAT pass from LBJ to MOZ for the dunk!
I can’t stand Luke Ridenhour… always seems to shoot well against Cavs…
LOVE Shumpert’s defense!
LBJ just yelled at Moz “You gotta be ready” on that layup by Magic…
Would love to know how these two connected:
@JasonLloydABJ Bubba Watson, who went golfing yesterday with J.R. Smith, sitting baseline right next to #Cavs bench
Perkins putting in some very solid minutes
LOL HILARIOUS SHOT BY LBJ!!!!!!!!!!!
SHUMP TO LBJ for the AWESOME FINISH!!
LeBron with the flying reverse!
Delly and the Champ trading off 3-pt opportunities. Delly gets the shot and converts.
Another Delly trey!!
I am thinking they have the lead for the rest of the game! Go cavs
Shump with the smooth dippity-do follow for an and-1.
Awesome follow up by SHUMP!!
JAMES FREAKING JONES!!!
What is with these young SFs who try to go one-on-one with LBJ? Leonard last game, Morris in Phoenix, Harris this game. I get that the guy is the ultimate measuring stick, but seems like overkill…
Actually playing pretty well. Some good shots not falling. Magic hitting on their shots, they will eventually go cold and Cavs will heat up.
Lebron playing very well, attacking the basket.
LBJ trying out the hook shot… missed it, but I like the idea of it…
Harris travels as he is fouled by his own man, but LeBron gets called.
Yet another Magic travel that gets ignored for a foul call instead… smh…
Refs just deciding not to call anything…
At least Lauren is out there…
PERK with the REJECTION!!
Love hearing that on thhe radio!
DELLY TREY!!!!!!
Why nbatv?? Can’t watch on league pass! So obnoxious!
In know I wS just cursing the same issue.
Yeah, NBAtv is the WORST…
Exciting ending to the clipper rocket game but man I can’t stand the rockets and Harden.
Glad Love is getting rest, go cavs
This is a trap game. Cavs don’t seem to be playing with a lot of effort.
It’s early yet, but certainly don’t want to give the Magic any ideas….
I miss KLove….
Cavs not closing out on threes… at all…
Man, Vuch is a monster on the boards!
He’s already got 8 (6 offensive)
I thought for sure Perk was going to either travel or blow that layup…
I don’t think I’ve seen anyone in as dire need of a haircut as Elfrid….
WOW! Terrific pass by KI out of the double-team to JR SWISH for the last second three!
Cavs really struggling with rebounding the ball.
Lot of long rebounds off of Magic misses…
Early Perk sighting!
LBJ to Moz with the lob!
These are some sub-par possessions early…
Lid on the basket in the first few minutes.
Cavs just letting Magic get all of the rebounds and loose balls…
Wow… can’t remember the last time Kyrie missed two free throws in a row…
Now that’s how you release in transition!
LBJ looks like he trimmed up his hair with more of a fade into his thinning area…
TT with the start! I like it…
Even without KLove, Cavs should still win comfortably. I’d say 109-88…
KLove out to rest his back today. Should still be good without him. Glad to see he’s resting tbh. If his back really is a primary reason for the nights he’s ineffective, we need to take care of that by the time playoffs roll around. Wouldn’t mind resting him all week.