Brawny 'Bron

LeBron James could use a little help. The brawny game-breaking MVP of the NBA dropped 41 buckets in another shooting spree Saturday. But it was Dwight Howard who propelled the Orlando Magic to a Game 3 home win over LeBron‘s Cavs. Howard’s 24 points against Cleveland put Orlando up 2-1 in the Eastern Conference Finals. Superman’s high-flying, feverish intensity breathed new life into Orlando. A game in which the Cavs were coming off their best win in franchise history, Cleveland was outplayed by a mentally tough Magic team. There was no game-ending “Le Shot”(as some are christening the basket from James), in Game 3. Instead, the fervent Magic downed Cleveland 99-89 in a physical battle from tip-off.
Howard was dominant, but got himself into early foul trouble. He sat out for a majority of the first half, seeing only 28 minutes of court time. The Magic moved the ball around and got out to a fast start, regardless of Howard’s benching. Howard was 14-19 from the line after being criticized as an eminently poor free throw shooter. Orlando beat Cleveland from the line and in 3 point shooting. As a team, the Magic shot 35% from long range compared to the Cavs’ contemptible 19%. James was only 1-8 from the 3 point range and 18-24 from the charity stripe. LeBron missed an uncharacteristic five key free throws in the fourth quarter. The Cavs are relying too much on 3 point shots as their main ingredient. They need more production from Lebron’s teammates if they are going to stop the energetic, confident Magic. Cleveland continues to play cautiously, clank jumpers and turn the ball over carelessly. Too many needless free passes were called last night, in my opinion. There were 86 free throws combined between both teams.
Cleveland and Orlando did their best to decimate each other, leading to 58 personal fouls, two technicals and one personal foul being called. The Cavs did not get extensive aid from Mo Williams, Delonte West or Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Ilhauskas fouled out of the game for Cleveland and went an inexcusable 0-3 from the arc. Williams had 15 points, 7 boards and 3 assists, and West added 12 buckets with a rebound and 3 assists. The three walking wounded (Williams was hit in the eye in a sordid squirmish with Anthony Johnson) shot an unsightly 13 of 37 combined, and Williams was 5 of 16 alone.
After last April’s thumping, the Cavs have lost six of their last seven in Orlando. The Cavalier’s bench has been exposed this entire series. The crisp Magic create mucho match up problems for Cleveland’s defense. In Game 1, the Cavalier defense allowed Orlando to shoot 61% from the floor in the second half. They couldn’t get a good grasp on the Magic big men last night either. Rafer Alston posted 18 points for the marauding Magic. He also had 3 assists and 3 steals. Mickael Pietrus piled in 16 shots, grabbed 6 rebounds and 2 steals, and pummeled the Cavs with 2 blocked shots. Hedo Turkoglu gave Cleveland all they could handle with 10 rebounds and 7 assists in an Orlando team high 41 minutes on the hardwood.
The Cavs are still having trouble covering Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis. The Magic double-whammy can shoot and defend the perimeter. Even Cleveland’s league-best defense cannot prevent the pounding from Orlando’s role players. Hedo went an entire quarter without registering a field goal, and the Magic still held the lead Sunday. Howard controlled the paint and made his free throws last night. When Dwight is doing that, his team is pretty unstoppable. The three put Cleveland at a disadvantage in the backcourt. The Orlando bottom-feeders are also bothering and smothering the Cavaliers. Cleveland will have to quickly respond with a solution to salvage the seven game series. In the first two quarters, Cleveland outscored Orlando by 28 points. It seems they get off to early leads, only to crumble and slow down in later quarters. The Magic have come back in all three games because of horrid starts.
James keeps Cleveland within striking distance by simply suiting up each day. He is the foundation of the team and inspires confidence. LeBron put on a clinic shooting the ball in Game 1, finishing with 49 points. His Game 2 classic clutch captured Cleveland’s heart for sure. And last night he took charge, but there is little more he can honestly do to carry the Cavs. The Cavs pulled within 4 points in the fourth quarter after Howard picked up his fifth foul with 2:34 on the clock. Pietrus came off the bench to pluck a pair of free throws, and the Magic appeared to be in control of the game with a 94-86 lead. But in stormed Superman. LeBron’s three point attempt was blocked by Howard. The referees issued Dwight another foul, this one for three shots. James was perfect from the line with little time remaining in the game. Williams missed an open 3-pointer with 20 seconds remaining. Orlando simply outplayed their opponents to secure the ten point win.
If not for LeBron’s unbelievable game-winner Friday night, the Magic might be up 3-0 in this series, with hopes of closing it out in Game 4. Even after the devastating, gut-wrenching loss, the Magic had the momentum headed home for a third match. The Cavaliers failed to invade Orlando and win two in a row. The Magic are successful when doubling James at the 3-point line with Pietrus and Turkolglu. James’ team unravels around him as he seems to get better and better. Cleveland is successful (see Game 2) when they do not allow Howard to touch the ball. Orlando shipped the ball to Howard on five of their first six offensive possessions last night. His six noxious points rang for a 9-2 Orlando lead. When he was off the court, the Magic had to cling to a one point lead by intermission. The Cavs also play well when executing the pick-and-roll, freeing Williams for jump shots and creating opportunities at the corner. The All-star guard Williams has been missing in action this series. It is a problem that has plagued the Cavs. His shooting inefficiency mirrors many of his teammates, leaving James alone to defend the Magic and carry the Cavs. The results for Mike Brown’s team are not there. The defensive side of the floor has no mojo and the coach isn’t getting gritty games from his guards. Williams is an excellent shooter and Cleveland needs him to perform. If not, the one-man LeBron show is going to come to a grotesque end for the best team in the East.

Parting points: Happy Memorial Day. It’s unofficially SUMMER! Things that I love about summer include reading on the beach, listening to baseball games, the smell of suntan lotion, watching lightning bugs in my backyard, Hemingway novels and REM’s Reveal album.