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.
Now with a 3 game lead on Toronto and Chi for the 2-seed I suspect they’ll sit LeBron and Love tomorrow.
Easy win. They never really turned up the defense pressure, but lots of easy scores and they hit the open shots.
Too bad they passed on Oladipo out of concern for Dion. 2011 was excellent but 2013 will go down as the worst draft in league history. Lots of good players to be had, and the Cavs didn’t get any of them. At least we ended up with Delly.
The top three players taken in 2013: Anthony Bennett, Oladipo, Otto Porter. Yikes!
I am a true buckeyes fan but if I am betting —I am putting my money on vcu— buckeyes-haven’t played impressively lately which is huge by the bracket people
Yeah I was hoping for a better performance in the tourney against msu but no such luck. And i am sure we lose our best player to the draft next year.
Side note, first year I haven’t followed osu ball much. Do we look good beating VCU or is this a first round out. Lowest seed in awhile for the Buckeyes
VCU is a really tough draw in round one. Not looking good for the Bucks this year…
Yeah I always pick them to advance but can’t pick against the Buckeyes but after that Az….maybe next year. Wish sully or Thomas would of stuck it out. Oh well go cavs!
Is it me or anybody else not liking the title of the recap, “Cavs don’t miss a beat without Love” it seems like one more way to twist the Love is not used crap. We felt his absence.vig time even know we one.
Stoking drama. It’s all about clicks and eyeballs.
LeBron said before the season that Waiters would be a lightning rod for whatever went wrong. The Love situation has taken over that role.
Yeah it is old but part of the game. Overall I like how love has handled it. I can’t wait until he wins a playoff game for us or just simply cranks out double doubles during post season. He opens up our offense beyond what stats show. And I still think the offense will be going more to him in the post or elbow in plyaoffs, kind of the hidden secret. Just like Mozzy in the 4th.
Just watched it and had the same response. Shoulda been, ” Cavs show no love for defense–but it doesn’t matter against crappy teams”
Ok, that’s too long for a headline, but more apt.