Look Out Cavs, The Magic Are Here

brandon fahey by Contributor Written on May 23, 2009
CLEVELAND - MAY 22:  Rafer Alston #1 of the Orlando Magic handles the ball against Anderson Varejao #17 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2009 Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on May 22, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement  (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

The Eastern Conference Finals are mounting to be one of the best series in my time.

Though the series is tied, the Orlando Magic have been the more dominate team. Both teams had scored 202 points, However the Magic field goal percentage is much higher. Game one they shot 55% and game 2, 47%.

Beyond the arc the Magic are shredding the Cavaliers. game 1, 42% game 2, 45%.

How can the Magic keep shooting this high of a percentage. The answer: most are uncontested. If the Cavaliers start to run their defense better in game 3 then the percentage should come down a bit.

In two games this season the Caves have been out scored by 40 point in Amway area despite spectacular performances. If you think that the Magic played well at the "Q" wait till they are at home.

While Orlando is now where near the best team in the NBA, because of their heavy reliance of the 3 ball, they have been doing very well against the teams in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. Beside the Pistons who have figured how to whip the Magic no one else seems to know how. 

Making the Magic one dimensional is the key to the game three and the series for the Cavaliers. The Cavaliers were able to do this in two first half against the Magic. But some how they were able to bounce back in the second half of each game and won one of those games and nearly won the second one.

The Magic should be a easy team to crack. Without their shooting the Magic are limited to using Howard as the main scorer. If the Cavaliers can make the Magic come in off the arc and drive more and not allowing them to get wide open looks then the Cavaliers will be able to win this series. However if Orlando can get into a shooting mode which they have done in every game except one then there will be no stopping them in their Quest for a title.

However, what I think is going to happen. In game one and two the Cavaliers were are able to exploit the weakness of the Magic in the first half and in the second they went away from that. The Magic have not necessarily been able to figure out how to crack the Cavs. In game two one of the other two scoring treats on the Cavs got his game back. Delonte West was 4-7 for 12 points. The other Mo Williams has not hit his groove yet, Yes He scored 19 points but was 7-21 from the field.

Z, in game two also got his game back 12 points 5-13 and 15 rebounds the Cavaliers big man was able to exploit the shorter Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis. Even though he got beaten up on the defensive end.

So five keys to the game for both teams.

Let's start off with the Magic

5. Be aggressive on the boards. Other than Howard there is no one to get a ton of rebounds.

4. Get open looks. When the ball is falling the Magic are playing their best ball.

3. Find away to get Lewis and Turkoglu going early. You cannot come back form huge point differentials all the time.

2. Make you free throws. 68%not good at all.

1. Find away to stop Lebron James.

Now on to the Cavaliers.

5. The bench needs to score.

4. Play small, Lewis and Turkoglu are much faster than Varejo. They need some one to play better defense.

3. Get Mo going. He is getting open a lot and is over matching Orlando on the offensive side. He needs to shoot well to win. Make your three's.

2. Lebron will need to be the King. He has to continue to play at a high level.

1. Stop them from shooting so well. Come on this is huge. Do not allow the Magic to get hot form outside.

Original prediction stands. The Cavaliers despite their short comings in the firs two games have come out with a split and if they can do that is Orlando then mission accomplished. Cavaliers in 6.

 

Vote Now! - Author Poll

Series tied 1-1 who will win

  • Cavaliers
  • Magic
vote to see results
Results - Author Poll

Series tied 1-1 who will win

  • Cavaliers

    53.8%
  • Magic

    46.2%
  • Total votes: 13
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written on May 23, 2009 Preview/Prediction

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