Orlando Magic Come Up Huge in Game One against Cleveland Cavaliers

The Eastern Conference Finals took its turn tonight, following last night’s two-point jaw-clenching Western Conference Finals game one.

In the final minute of the Magic-Cavs game, there were four lead changes. The final lead change came with just 14 left in the game, a 25-foot three-pointer from Orlando Magic forward, Rashard Lewis.

Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu scored the Magic’s final 17 points, leading to a 107-106 victory on the road in game one.

LeBron James played an outstanding game, bettering Bryant’s 40 points with 49, and added eight assists and six rebounds. Unlike Bryant, James didn’t get the W.

Orlando Magic’s big man, Dwight Howard, who recently complained about not getting enough shot attempts, had 20 tonight, and made 14 of them. Howard, a.k.a. "Superman", finished with 30 points and 13 rebounds.

It was all about the fourth quarter in game one tonight. It started with the Magic only down by four points after trailing by as many as 16 points. But, the Magic didn’t care.

The Magic offense was finally more than just Howard, and soon they had their first lead of the game after Anthony Johnson nailed a three pointer with 10:06.

Following Johnson’s three, the lead changed twice and 5:33 a time out paused the game tied, 90-90.

James, at this point, was putting together his typical playoff numbers. He already passed Kobe with 41 points, and also had six rebounds and seven assists.

Howard was finally getting help from Rafer Alston, Rashard Lewis, and Michael Pietrus. Hedo Turkoglu was continuing to struggle and only two-of-nine from the floor.

Coming out of the time out, Alston grabbed a defensive rebound and looked up ahead where Turkoglu was open at the three. He drilled the 26-footer giving Orlando their biggest lead of the night, 93-90.

James scored consecutive baskets for Cleveland, while Turkoglu scored off a back-door cut and Alston missed a jumper. At 2:47, Cleveland called a 20 second timeout down 95-94.

James looked a little bit winded and the Cavaliers head coach, Mike Brown, seemed to call the 20 to give James a quick breather.

For the first time in the game, Howard was not an offensive factor, but mainly because his teammates began playing basketball. Lewis made his second three pointer of the game off an assist from Turkoglu, giving the Magic their new largest lead of the night, 98-94.

Mo Williams, point guard of the Cavaliers, ignited the Quicken Loans Arena with a three pointer, bringing the Cavs back within one with just over two minutes left in the game.

Fast forward to only :40 left in the fourth, when James drove to the basket and kicked it out to a wide open Delonte West, who buried the three pointer and a 102-103 lead.

At this point, it seemed like Cleveland would escape just like the Lakers did last night.

The Magic took back the lead on their next possession, giving James a chance to try and win the game.

James pulled up and got the and-one on an eight foot jump shot. The foul was on Howard, his sixth, and for the moment the MVP had the game one for Cleveland.

The roar from the Cleveland faithful would be broken only seconds later Lewis’ three.

Just like last night’s game, one team came out and dominated the first quarter. Cleveland adjusted the script slightly, and controlled the entire first half.

The Cavaliers look rested and ready finishing the opening quarter with 33 points and a 14 point lead. The Orlando Magic showed why they made it to the Eastern Conference Finals and knocked off last year’s champs.

However, LeBron James had an outstanding first half. He dropped 26 on the Magic and led the Cavs into halftime with a 13 point lead.

The only reason Orlando was even that close was because of their superstar, Howard. Howard had 18 of the Magic’s 48 points in the first.

It was a game that was very similar and maybe just little bit more exciting than Kobe and Carmelo.

No matter, it was awesome to see another game where two superstars elevating their play and giving their teams every chance to win.