Ball Don't Lie - NBA

Ball Don't Lie

Wed Nov 11, 2009 6:40 pm EST

Game to pay attention to: Cavaliers vs. Magic

By Kelly Dwyer

Cleveland at Orlando

Sure, the Cavaliers aren't looking too hot to start the season, and the Magic played last night and still without some missing parts ... but, come on. It's the Cavs and Magic.

Last year's Eastern Conference finalists meet again tonight on a national TV setting, for the first time since the Magic dispatched the Cavaliers just before the clock struck June, moving onto the NBA Finals.

This time around, though, Cleveland has Shaquille O'Neal(notes) (pictured, right), supposedly the defensive answer to the whole Dwight Howard(notes) problem. Howard averaged 26 and 13 in the Conference finals last spring, making the Cavaliers look rather slow and old in the process.

The Magic tinkered too, as you know, and Vince Carter(notes) should be in uniform and possibly starting for Orlando tonight. Rashard Lewis(notes) and Ryan Anderson(notes) will be out, but Orlando's depth still tops Cleveland's, even without two likely starters.

Then again, the Magic played last night.

Then again, the game's in Orlando.

Ooh, boy.

13 games tonight, comment away in the space provided below.

Orlando Magic: 6-2, 91.2 possessions per game (22nd-fastest in the NBA), 112.2 points scored per 100 possessions (sixth in the NBA), 106.6 points allowed per 100 possessions (15th).

Cleveland Cavaliers: 4-3, 91.2 possessions per game (tied for, uh, 22nd-fastest in the NBA), 103.5 points scored per 100 possessions (20th), 98.5 points allowed per 100 possessions (6th).

All stats courtesy of basketball-reference.com.

Related: Shaquille O'Neal, Dwight Howard, Ryan Anderson, Rashard Lewis, Vince Carter, Game to pay attention to

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14 Comments

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  1. jacksonfd8
    1. Posted by jacksonfd8 Wed Nov 11, 2009 7:05 pm EST

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    Shaq's seperation with wife will ignite him to a whole new level?
  2. E W
    2. Posted by E W Wed Nov 11, 2009 7:31 pm EST

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    Interesting photo.
  3. Rob
    3. Posted by Rob Wed Nov 11, 2009 7:51 pm EST

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    This is Shaq's Neapolitan ice cream look apparently...
  4. Stevarino
    4. Posted by Stevarino Wed Nov 11, 2009 7:57 pm EST

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    Hmmm, the Magic made the Cavs look slow and old last year so Cavs add Shaq? Makes perfect sense to me.
  5. chrizy
    5. Posted by chrizy Wed Nov 11, 2009 9:26 pm EST

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    Last year Orlando is a force.....den when they give up Hedo ,,,,,,,they will have a problem now!!!!!They dont have any good shooter as Hedo.....Vince is much one on one player and always have a injury!
  6. Nacho
    6. Posted by Nacho Wed Nov 11, 2009 9:38 pm EST

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    Umm whats with the pink suit? anyways i think the Cavs win. P.S. Go Lakers
  7. beerlover
    7. Posted by beerlover Wed Nov 11, 2009 11:34 pm EST

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    Over now, but as almost everyone well-acquainted with the Cavs said, they now match up with the Magic extremely well. Too bad they matched up really well with every team except the Magic last year (and I guess the Lakers).
  8. Monty B
    8. Posted by Monty B Wed Nov 11, 2009 11:37 pm EST

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    Neapolitan ice cream indeed lol
  9. sam spade
    9. Posted by sam spade Thu Nov 12, 2009 6:42 am EST

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    Meaningless. I was geeked about the victory until i realized Rashard Lewis didn't play. this means nothing.
  10. Steve
    10. Posted by Steve Thu Nov 12, 2009 7:03 am EST

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    yeah well this isn't last year
  11. beerlover
    11. Posted by beerlover Thu Nov 12, 2009 8:33 am EST

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    Well, Delonte didn't play either. The Cavs played good D for the most part and basically made Howard a non-factor, especially in the first half. That's how you beat Orlando, remove him and force them to make tough jump/perimeter shots, which is what Nelson did. Just isn't enough.
  12. sammyzaba
    12. Posted by sammyzaba Thu Nov 12, 2009 8:53 am EST

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    shard delonte. by a wide margin.
  13. sammyzaba
    13. Posted by sammyzaba Thu Nov 12, 2009 8:54 am EST

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    hmmm...shard is better than delonte...by a wide margin. wouldn't let me throw the "greater than" sign in there.
  14. C
    14. Posted by C Thu Nov 12, 2009 9:45 am EST

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    Delonte West is not the ace in the hole. actually, he has herpes and should be in jail.
    Cavs had 4 days off to prepare for this game. they were well rested and came out motivated. Orlando played 2 games during those 4 days and played in Charlotte the night before.

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Ball Don't Lie is an NBA blog edited by J.E. Skeets. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

Contributors:
Kelly Dwyer, Rod Benson, Trey Kerby, Nick Friedell, Garbage Time All-Stars, Blair Johnson,

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