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Do IT this week: Layering
By George M. Thomas
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 12:48 a.m. EDT, May 21, 2009
CLEVELAND: This isn't exactly what the Cavaliers had in mind to open the Eastern Conference finals against the Orlando Magic.
With a homecourt advantage and raucous crowd on their side, protecting Quicken Loans Arena should have been easier than this.
Someone forgot to tell the Magic. One of just a few teams to give the Cavs fits all season, the Magic stole a victory and early momentum in the best-of-seven series, beating the Cavs 107-106 after point guard Mo Williams came up just short on a 17-foot jump shot with one second left on the clock.
It is the first time the Cavs lost a game in the postseason, and it was the first time the team dealt with any setbacks.
''This is the first major adversity we've faced,'' Cavs coach Mike Brown said. ''I trust our guys, I believe we'll bounce back. I believe we'll bounce back; this is good for us. We didn't expect to go undefeated in the playoffs. My belief is the guys will get it done.''
The Cavs appeared to be on their way to an easy victory, never trailing in the first half. LeBron James willingly set his teammates up for easy scores as the Cavs opened with a 14-4 run.
Forward Anderson Varejao scored the first six points for the Cavs, and he was joined by guard Delonte West who tossed in two early 3-pointers.
James didn't score his first points until 3:42 of the first quarter, a 12-foot jump shot to put the Cavs ahead 23-14. It was just the start for him. During a two-minute span, he went from no points to 10.
The game's momentum flowed from the rapid-fire pace of James' offensive game and the manner in which the first half ended. After giving up an easy dunk to the Magic's Marcin Gortat, Cavs point guard Mo Williams tossed up a 67-foot prayer for three points at the buzzer and the momentum going into the locker room.
The Cavs appeared as if they had a winning formula. Magic center Dwight Howard scored 18 points in the half, barely breaking a sweat as the Cavs focused on his teammates. That worked for a time, the Cavs leading 63-48 at halftime.
It didn't last.
The Magic opened the third quarter on a 7-0 run. Although the Cavs pushed back, they didn't do so with any consistency.
''Offensively, in the second half, we were a little bit more stagnant than in the first half,'' Brown said. ''We didn't get the throw aheads for easy looks like we did in the first half.''
The lead dwindled to two points as the Magic dominated the third quarter, outscoring the Cavs 30-19 and trimming the lead to 82-78.
Keeping the momentum, the Magic opened the fourth quarter with a 7-2 run to take an 85-84 lead on a 3-pointer by Anthony Johnson.
By that time, some ugly trends that the Cavs showed in prior meetings with the Magic began to resurface. The Magic dominated in the paint and scored easy points in transition, and the Cavs' trademark defense was missing in the second half.
James, who finished with 49 points and eight assists, had been getting his normal fourth-quarter break, but it was a rest the Cavs could little afford for very long.
Upon his return, James scored the Cavs' next basket to put them ahead 86-85. The teams then went back and forth for much of the fourth quarter, trading baskets, with the Cavs unable to regain the momentum.
The game looked as if it might come down to a single shot until a controversial call by referee Bennett Salvatore at 1:17 in the fourth.
With the Magic leading 100-98, Salvatore called a foul on a leaping Varejao despite the fact that it looked as if Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu purposely bumped into him. Turkoglu made the free throws, and Magic led 102-98.
On the Cavs' next possession, Ilgauskas found a wide-open Varejao on a layup to make it 102-100. After the Magic failed to score on their next possession, West connected on a 3-pointer to give the Cavs a 103-102 lead.
The Magic's Rashard Lewis countered with a basket to put the Magic ahead 104-103. James scored on a layup and drew a foul on Howard, who fouled out on the play. With the Cavs' lead at 106-104 and seconds left, Lewis made a 3-pointer to put the Magic back in front.
Despite the setback, Brown remained optimistic.
''This is why this is a series,'' he said. ''A series is neither won nor lost in one game. I have confidence in our guys. I trust our guys and we'll be ready for Game 2 when it comes around.''
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohio.com/thomas. Follow Cavs coverage on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/cavsabj
CLEVELAND: This isn't exactly what the Cavaliers had in mind to open the Eastern Conference finals against the Orlando Magic.
With a homecourt advantage and raucous crowd on their side, protecting Quicken Loans Arena should have been easier than this.
Someone forgot to tell the Magic. One of just a few teams to give the Cavs fits all season, the Magic stole a victory and early momentum in the best-of-seven series, beating the Cavs 107-106 after point guard Mo Williams came up just short on a 17-foot jump shot with one second left on the clock.
It is the first time the Cavs lost a game in the postseason, and it was the first time the team dealt with any setbacks.
''This is the first major adversity we've faced,'' Cavs coach Mike Brown said. ''I trust our guys, I believe we'll bounce back. I believe we'll bounce back; this is good for us. We didn't expect to go undefeated in the playoffs. My belief is the guys will get it done.''
The Cavs appeared to be on their way to an easy victory, never trailing in the first half. LeBron James willingly set his teammates up for easy scores as the Cavs opened with a 14-4 run.
Forward Anderson Varejao scored the first six points for the Cavs, and he was joined by guard Delonte West who tossed in two early 3-pointers.
James didn't score his first points until 3:42 of the first quarter, a 12-foot jump shot to put the Cavs ahead 23-14. It was just the start for him. During a two-minute span, he went from no points to 10.
The game's momentum flowed from the rapid-fire pace of James' offensive game and the manner in which the first half ended. After giving up an easy dunk to the Magic's Marcin Gortat, Cavs point guard Mo Williams tossed up a 67-foot prayer for three points at the buzzer and the momentum going into the locker room.
The Cavs appeared as if they had a winning formula. Magic center Dwight Howard scored 18 points in the half, barely breaking a sweat as the Cavs focused on his teammates. That worked for a time, the Cavs leading 63-48 at halftime.
It didn't last.
The Magic opened the third quarter on a 7-0 run. Although the Cavs pushed back, they didn't do so with any consistency.
''Offensively, in the second half, we were a little bit more stagnant than in the first half,'' Brown said. ''We didn't get the throw aheads for easy looks like we did in the first half.''
The lead dwindled to two points as the Magic dominated the third quarter, outscoring the Cavs 30-19 and trimming the lead to 82-78.
Keeping the momentum, the Magic opened the fourth quarter with a 7-2 run to take an 85-84 lead on a 3-pointer by Anthony Johnson.
By that time, some ugly trends that the Cavs showed in prior meetings with the Magic began to resurface. The Magic dominated in the paint and scored easy points in transition, and the Cavs' trademark defense was missing in the second half.
James, who finished with 49 points and eight assists, had been getting his normal fourth-quarter break, but it was a rest the Cavs could little afford for very long.
Upon his return, James scored the Cavs' next basket to put them ahead 86-85. The teams then went back and forth for much of the fourth quarter, trading baskets, with the Cavs unable to regain the momentum.
The game looked as if it might come down to a single shot until a controversial call by referee Bennett Salvatore at 1:17 in the fourth.
With the Magic leading 100-98, Salvatore called a foul on a leaping Varejao despite the fact that it looked as if Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu purposely bumped into him. Turkoglu made the free throws, and Magic led 102-98.
On the Cavs' next possession, Ilgauskas found a wide-open Varejao on a layup to make it 102-100. After the Magic failed to score on their next possession, West connected on a 3-pointer to give the Cavs a 103-102 lead.
The Magic's Rashard Lewis countered with a basket to put the Magic ahead 104-103. James scored on a layup and drew a foul on Howard, who fouled out on the play. With the Cavs' lead at 106-104 and seconds left, Lewis made a 3-pointer to put the Magic back in front.
Despite the setback, Brown remained optimistic.
''This is why this is a series,'' he said. ''A series is neither won nor lost in one game. I have confidence in our guys. I trust our guys and we'll be ready for Game 2 when it comes around.''
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the Cavs blog at http://www.ohio.com/thomas. Follow Cavs coverage on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/cavsabj
Comments
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Naples, FL
Posted 06:24 AM, 05/21/2009
Gave one away but they are 4-0 on the road in the playoffs. Go Cavs!
Alliance, Oh
Posted 06:46 AM, 05/21/2009
Orlando shot the ball well. When they shoot 55% and still have a chance to win, that's not bad. Lets see when they DON'T shoot 55% what happens. The Cavs shots didn't fall and the Magic's did. It's one game out of 7.
Akron, OH
Posted 07:38 AM, 05/21/2009
I think we'll bounce back just fine, as long as we get our other guys in the game. LeBron can't carry the whole team for every game. We weren't hitting our shots like we usually do. Once we get that back, we'll be fine. GO CAVS!
Posted 07:39 AM, 05/21/2009
Well let's see if you want it bad enough you would win. They thought they had the advantage because they had a resting period. They need a better center who has some balls to play hard. They got beat at their own game
Anti-Politically Correct & Anti-GOP, OH
Posted 07:47 AM, 05/21/2009
I didn't expect them to sweep the Magic anyhow. Win the series, yes, but not a sweep. This is the playoffs, it is a whole different story. The only thing I hate is that these playoffs will last until football season starts.
Walnut Creek, Oh
Posted 08:09 AM, 05/21/2009
It's one game. Houston beat LA without Yao Ming. Then LA came back and clobbered them the next game. It's one game. WE need to lose a few to make it all the way. We cannot sweep and expect to win it all. They had too much rest in between. 8 days is too much. Why do you think Lebron was cramping up at the end? They were tired from not playing. But we will return and win the next game. I'm not happy we lost, but like I said...it is ONE game. And to taste a loss mite make them play harder
Akron, Oh
Posted 08:14 AM, 05/21/2009
Keep the optimism coming - Cleveland ALWAYS finds a way to be Cleveland. LeBrick and the boys will swirl the toilet just like every team from this city does when it counts the most. How many times have teams done enough to win your heart and faith then seemingly unexplainably torn it from your chest - this team is no different. Orlando get the brooms ready!
Stow, OH
Posted 08:33 AM, 05/21/2009
If Mike Brown is any kinda coach he will put Wallace in there to knock Howard around and wear him down. Z is not that physical ,and for crying out loud I wish they would stop letting that big dope take shots from 25 ft. out with no one under the basket !
youngstown, oh
Posted 08:47 AM, 05/21/2009
Fire Brown, Wedge, RAC, Paul Brown, Blanton Collier, Hargrove, Birdie Tebbetts, the mayor,governor and anyoneelse you can think of.
Posted 08:53 AM, 05/21/2009
That were ugly...
Posted 08:54 AM, 05/21/2009
kbadm = kbad attitude
Akron, OH
Posted 09:17 AM, 05/21/2009
cursedfan - Your post makes no sense. RAC was fired. Where have you been for the past 5 months? Moron.
KBADM - LeBrick? Really? The guy is allowed to have an off game here and there. You're a bigger moron than cursedfan.
GO CAVS!
Posted 09:19 AM, 05/21/2009
kbadm = jealous celtics fan....or pittsburgh punk.....or someone who has drank too much water from the Cuyahoga River. Cavs in 6.
Independence, OH
Posted 09:21 AM, 05/21/2009
Horrible officiating. Dwight Howard is completely overrated. His only offensive move is when he pushes off, and on defense he's always going for blocks and out of position.
Posted 09:54 AM, 05/21/2009
I hope this game is an eye opener for the Cavs. They're going to have to play good opponents from here on out. Z is not going to cut it against Howard.
Lakewood, OH
Posted 10:13 AM, 05/21/2009
"KBADM - LeBrick? Really? The guy is allowed to have an off game here and there. You're a bigger moron than cursedfan."
AllyV80, the problem with your statement to the idiot is that Lebron didn't have an off game. Lebron had a legendary game. Lebron had a fantastic game. Lebron was awesome. Our guards and Mike Brown lost this game. Mo and Delonte sucked offensively. And why did we not foul Howard more? How many freaking dunks and layups did he have? I love the job Coach Brown has done, but why he didn't have us foul a horrible foul shooter like Howard is beyond me.
akron, oh
Posted 10:17 AM, 05/21/2009
KBADM- Did you even watch the game last night, had you I doubt you would be putting Lebron down because he scored all of the points you idiot. Go ahead jump on the orlando bandwagon and you will be quite upset this time next week. What ticks me off is when the cavs win there are like 3 comments under the article but when they lose all these aholes come out of the woodwork acting like they have even watched a game this season. Why dont you idiots go watch hockey or something that the ABJ doesn't write about...
cuyahoga falls, oh
Posted 10:55 AM, 05/21/2009
BIG loss...
maybe there really is a Cleveland Choke Curse that started with Red Dog Right 88...
Wedge is feeling pretty cursed this morning, even with a victory last night
Akron, Oh
Posted 11:00 AM, 05/21/2009
lol - keep the faith we'll see by mid next week who is right. I will come correct if I'm wrong, will the rest of you? Doubt it very much. By the way great players, say MVP's, play the best when the stakes are the highest - ever hear of a guy named Jordan? How many "off" nights did he have in the playoffs? Game was lost at the line - period.
Posted 11:21 AM, 05/21/2009
I SMELL CHOKE... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA CLEVELAND SPORTS SUCK..
Lakewood, OH
Posted 11:48 AM, 05/21/2009
KBADM, you are truly a dumb human being. Lebron scored 49 points on 67% shooting, had 8 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 steals and a 52 efficiency rating. Under NO objective metric can anyone say that wasn't a great game. It was a phenomenal game. Quit being an idiot and understand that that was the farthest thing from an "off" night as possible.
Paradise, Oh
Posted 12:08 PM, 05/21/2009
If you lower your expectations without lowering your personal standards you will be pleased with the results.
Posted 12:13 PM, 05/21/2009
I'm glad they finally lost. It's a wake up call.
Los Angeles, CA
Posted 01:37 PM, 05/21/2009
There's no reason to panic for Cleveland fans, although after the series with Houston I don't envy all the crappy, second-guessing, panic induced fodder you all are going to have to read till friday like us laker fans had to
Top Reasons it'll be ok:
-Peitrus and Lewis will not play that well again for a few more games
-Z shot terrible, he'll put up his points next game
-Gibson and Wally will make a few shots as well
-Howard will be denied the ball, not have 20 shots, and it will frustrate him to see his team missing all those 3's
-Lebron will shoot 100 free throws in practice now that he understands how much 1 point is worth
Los Angeles, CA
Posted 01:40 PM, 05/21/2009
There's no reason to panic for Cleveland fans, although after the series with Houston I don't envy all the crappy, second-guessing, panic induced fodder you all are going to have to read till friday like us laker fans had to
Top Reasons it'll be ok:
-Peitrus and Lewis will not play that well again for a few more games
-Z shot terrible, he'll put up his points next game
-Gibson and Wally will make a few shots as well
-Howard will be doubled/denied the ball, not have 20 shots, and it will frustrate him to see his team missing all those 3's
-Lebron will shoot 100 free throws in practice now that he understands how much 1 point is worth
Akron, OH
Posted 01:44 PM, 05/21/2009
Thanks for the well wishes LoyalLaker, we'll see you a few games in the finals! Go Cavs!
Akron, OH
Posted 06:53 AM, 05/22/2009
RFN - Yeah, LeBron scored 49. I think mister moron's "LeBrick" comment was based on all those missed free throws, which is what I meant by "off game." I should have chosen another way to say what I was trying to say, I apologize.
At any rate, I hope they bounce back in a big way tonight to let the Magic know who's boss!
