Cavs-Magic In-Game Report

Halftime: Magic 62, Cavs 49

* This is the problem with trying to defend Dwight Howard. The Cavs are getting killed on the perimeter by allowing uncontested 3s. Orlando has made 11 of 20 3-pointers in the first half, many of them wide open looks.

* Here's how they get so open. During one Magic possession in the quarter, J.J. Hickson waited as long as he could to drop down on Howard for a double team. As soon as he came, Howard quickly passed out of it to Jameer Nelson, who swung it to Quentin Richardson for a wide open 3. The Cavs had no chance to rotate that quickly.

* There are larger problems here, though. The Cavs have allowed at least 62 points in the first half of four of their last five games: against New Orleans, San Antonio, Indiana and now Orlando. They can't win games by playing from behind like that.

* J.J. Hickson's confidence is shot and his problems are worsening. Hickson had three turnovers within the game's first six minutes and has just two points and a rebound. He appeared confident at the start of the season. Not anymore.

End 1Q: Magic 32, Cavs 22
* It's pretty easy to see how the Cavs plan to attack Dwight Howard -- they're going to run as many big bodies at him as they can and send him to the line as much as possible. He already has 12 points, but he's 4 of 6 from the line. The Cavs have 18 fouls between Anderson Varejao, Ryan Hollins and Leon Powe. They're going to use almost all of them.

* Both teams are getting inside with little trouble. That's to be expected for the Magic, since they have Howard. But it's a little surprising for the Cavs, who actually outrebounded the Magic 10-4.

* The Cavs gave up too much dribble penetration in the first quarter. If that continues, it's going to be a long night.