Magic-Cavaliers: Who's Under More Pressure for Game Six?

In the playoffs, everything changes.

The lights are brighter, the games are more physical, and technicals and flagrant fouls are common as teams valiantly fight for a coveted championship.

The Eastern Conference Finals match of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic has seen plenty of comebacks and late game heroics under pressure.

First, Rashard Lewis hit a huge three-pointer to complete a huge comeback and win Game 1 for the Magic.

Then, LeBron James made the biggest shot of his career to win Game Two and save the season for the Cavaliers.

Dwight Howard's tremendous effort in overtime of Game Four was followed by James' triple-double in Game Five.

James won the MVP this season and his team had the best record in the NBA. The Cavs' Mike Brown was named coach of the year and the team enjoyed  home-court advantage against the Magic.

It looks as though LeBron James is carrying the burden of an entire team—no, an entire city on his back. He could barely walk following Game One and played 49 minutes in Game Four.

The constant barrage of Nike and Vitamin Water commercials comparing Kobe Bryant and James has not made life easier for the played dubbed "The Chosen One."

Life is a lot easier for Dwight Howard and the Magic. Howard's team is the No. 3 seed in its conference and many didn't expect the Magic to win Game Seven on the road in Boston.

The Magic are building a strong foundation in hopes of winning a championship making it to the third round of the playoffs after exiting in the first round in 2007 and the second round in 2008.

On the other hand, the Magic held a 3-1 series lead and has already lost one chance at eliminating the Cavs. A possible Game Seven in Cleveland would definitely put all the pressure on the Magic.

Stan Van Gundy and his Magic have positively responded to adversity throughout the playoffs with a few tricks of their own.  

Van Gundy has responded to criticisms by devising a game plan utilizing the pick-and-roll and forcing the Cavs into one-on-one mismatches.

Howard has shook off analysis that his offensive game is limited to dunks by having monster games in the paint and on the boards.

There is plenty of help for Superman and the Magic have better players and a deeper roster than the Cavs.

Recent history should be obvious to fans of both clubs: The Magic won three games in a row to knock Philadelphia out in the first round and came back from a 3-2 deficit against Boston in the second round.

So, the Magic, the resilient comeback team, is well aware that it's not over until the clock hits zero.

The Magic enter Game Six armed with homecourt advantage and the knowledge that Cleveland has been unable to beat them at home or in consecutive games this series.

James has been a true magician in this series, playing unbelievably in each game whether scoring 49 points in Game One or conjuring up images of Magic Johnson while scoring a triple-double in Game Five.

Is LeBron out of tricks?

There is little chance he can play better. He's the best defender, scorer, and passer on his team. He's played big minutes and none of his teammates have risen to the occasion in previous games against the Magic.

The Magic don't want to become the answer to one of James' trivia questions.

Will the Magic come out loose in Orlando knowing that all they have to do is win one of two games?

Or will Cleveland play with the recklessness of a team with nothing to lose and facing elimination?