djlofi
Dumping salary
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2007
- Messages
- 441
- Reaction score
- 926
- Points
- 93
The Starters
The Bench Bunch
Magic Starters
Magic Bench
<table cellpadding=5 border=1><Tr><td>Anthony Johnson</td><td>Mickael Pietrus</td><td>Keith Bogans</td><td>Tony Battie</td><td>Marcin Gortat</td></tr>
<tr><td>Adonal Foyle</td><td>Mike Wilks</td><td>Brian Cook</td><td>JJ Redick</td><td></td></tr>
</table>
INJURIES
For the Cavs:
Delonte West
Eric Snow
For the Magic:
none
KEYS TO THE GAME
SHOWDOWN IN OTOWN: Mike Brown wasn't pleased with the win against Sacramento on Tuesday and for good reason. The Cavs usually stellar defense gave up a lot of points at home to a team that shoots well (but doesn't do much else well). That simply cannot be the case against the Magic.
This game probably carries the same significance as ones against Boston and LA. Orlando is an elite team that can shoot the lights out of the gym and has a superstar inside in Dwight Howard. This is the team that -- matchup-wise -- can best stand toe to toe with the Cavs and probably gives the Cavs the most trouble. They have tall, assassin-accurate shooters in Rashard Lewis and Hedo, a quick guard that can get to the paint in Jameer Nelson and some nice wings that add to that punch in Pietrus and Cortney Lee.
Thursday night is going to have the electricity of a playoff game and the Cavs will be in hostile territory. This is a statement game for the Cavs.
BOTTLE THE MAGIC: The Magic are going to take about 25-30 3-point shots a game, so the Cavs defense needs to play solid perimeter D, while also taking into account Dwight Howard's presence inside, which without a 100% Z is a huge advantage in the Magic's favor. I think Mike Brown will focus on Jameer Nelson and force him into double teams and bad decisions much like the way the Cavs played Rajon Rondo in the playoffs last year.
The Magic have to take tough contested shots tomorrow. The problem is that Rashard Lewis proves to be a matchup problem for the Cavs. He can take Ben out of the paint; if you put AV on him, you have a bad matchup with Ben and Dwight Howard. I'm intrigued to see what Mike Brown does. I assume he will have LeBron take turns guarding Rashard and Hedo, as well as trotting out a quicker lineup with Kinsey, Wally and Sasha taking turns covering those two.
KRYPTONITE: During the West Coast trip LeBron began to fall in love with his jumper, which proved to be the difference in a lot of those games. However, James has to attack Dwight Howard and make him work on the defensive end. He cannot settle for jumpers. Beyond Howard, the Magic are thin up front. If you can get a few fouls on Howard, especially early, you can limit his effectiveness. LeBron has to get to the line and take at least 10 free throws tomorrow.
ROLE PLAYING GAMES: The Cavs bench showed its depth in the last week and a half. Tarence Kinsey is showing lots of energy on the court. Sasha has been playing like 07-playoff run Sasha. Wally's been shooting well and grabbing boards (not to mention doling out high fives). Boobie showed that he can score points in bunches when he scored nine quick ones in the 4th after playing ineffective basketball for four other quarters. JJ Hickson is really starting to come into his own. All of these guys need to step it up tomorrow. LeBron and Mo will have the troops ready, and getting Z back may be a nice boost. But these guys have to play Cavaliers basketball for 48 minutes tomorrow if the expect to come out of Orlando with the win.
Z DOUBTFUL: The Cavaliers have listed Zydrunas Ilgauskas as doubtful, meaning there's only about a 25 percent chance he will play against the Magic. Ilgauskas, out since Dec. 30 with a sprained left ankle, will travel with the team. Ilgauskas went though a full practice on Wednesday, his second this week, but did not speak with reporters after practice. Courtesy the PD. Thanks to Wine and Gold for bringing it to my attention.
JAM OF THE NIGHT
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Cause I need some Preemo beats, and because the Cavs are going to be puttin' in work tomorrow.
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