Orlando at Cleveland

Cloudy Currently: Cleveland, OH
Temp: 40° F
  • Game info: 8:30 pm EDT Wed May 20, 2009
  • TV: TNT

By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer May 20, 1:39 am EDT

Preview | Box Score | Recap | Series Breakdown
  • Print

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP)—Mike Malone has always followed his father Brendan’s advice. A respectful son, he still calls his dad regularly for guidance on life and hoops.

Those conversations are on hold.

“Now that it’s us against them,” Mike Malone said with a smile, “I don’t plan on talking to him for a little while.”

Papa Malone won’t be dialing his son’s number either.

“We’ll probably see each other on the court, and that’s it,” Brendan Malone said.

There’s a family subplot to this season’s Eastern Conference final between Cleveland and Orlando. The Malone family is divided. Mike, tracing his father’s coaching footsteps, is in his fourth season as an assistant with the Cavaliers while Brendan, Cleveland’s interim coach for 18 games at the end of LeBron James’(notes) second pro season, is on Stan Van Gundy’s staff in Orlando.

With the best-of-seven series set to open on Wednesday night, the younger Malone made an obvious prediction on the outcome.

“There will be a Malone in the NBA finals,” he said.

May the best Malone win.

After sitting around for the second time in these playoffs, the series-sweeping Cavaliers, who broomed Detroit and Atlanta into early summer vacations, are expecting a much stiffer challenge from the Magic. Orlando won both of their matchups at home against Cleveland during the regular season, including a 116-87 thrashing on April 3—the Cavaliers’ worst loss in 90 games.

Cleveland has lost just once since that mauling by the Magic, and that setback came in overtime in the April 15 season finale against Philadelphia, a game James, Zydrunas Ilgauskas(notes) and Mo Williams(notes) sat out to get extra rest for the playoffs.

Coming off a second-round upset of the defending champion Celtics, the Magic, who won Game 7 on Boston’s parquet floor, are a confident bunch heading into Game 1.

“We’re not satisfied,” Orlando center Dwight Howard(notes) said Tuesday. “Yeah, we are happy we got past the second round. But we’re not satisfied. We don’t want to just be happy and hand them the series. We have enough talent to win a championship, and we don’t want to let an opportunity slip by.”

Same goes for the Cavaliers, who don’t seem too concerned about the Magic despite last month’s lopsided loss in Florida.

“Hopefully, they’re comfortable and feeling themselves right now,” Williams said. “We’re a different team—trust me. We’re motivated to play. We’re focused.”

For the opener, Van Gundy will return rookie guard Courtney Lee(notes) to the starting lineup, replacing J.J. Redick(notes), who started every game against the Celtics and did a nice defensive job on Ray Allen(notes). Lee has been coming off the bench since fracturing his sinus in the Philadelphia series.

“We figured they would do that,” Cavs coach Mike Brown said.

Devising a defensive strategy to slow Howard and the Magic’s talented troop of outside shooters will fall partly on Mike Malone, Cleveland’s unofficial defensive coordinator. Since joining Brown’s staff, Malone has helped the Cavs become one of the league’s stingiest teams.

Cleveland was the top defensive unit during the regular season and is limiting opponents to 40 percent shooting (31 percent on 3s) and just 78.1 points so far in the playoffs. The Magic, averaging 96.1 points in the postseason, shot 54 percent in the April 3 win over Cleveland, making 13 of 27 3-pointers.

“This team poses so many problems with Dwight and the shooters around him,” Mike Malone said. “You have to make sure you guard Dwight first, and get out to their shooters. They’ve got a bunch of guys who can knock it down. That’s who they are.”

And while the Cavaliers are balanced, they have something the Magic can’t match: James.

The league MVP has taken his game to an even higher level in the playoffs. He’s averaging 32.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, 6.8 assists and seems more determined than ever to deliver a title to a city that hasn’t celebrated a championship since the Browns won it all in 1964.

In three games against Orlando, James averaged 30.7 points, 9.7 rebounds and 7.0 assists. On March 17, he dropped 43 points on the Magic in a 97-93 win.

Howard feels there’s only one approach to take in guarding James.

“You can’t be afraid,” said the league’s defensive player of the year. “When he comes down the lane, you have to stand in the lane. You have sacrifice your body for the betterment of the team. We understand that. We have to keep him out of the lane. He’s going to get in there sometimes, but we have to be able to force him out.”

James and his teammates should have fresher legs than the Magic, who have played 13 games in the postseason to Cleveland’s eight. During the layoff, James invited the Cavaliers over to his house to grill out, watch playoff games on TV and bowl. (Yes, King James has customized lanes in his 35,000-square foot mansion).

James was flattered to hear Hall of Famer Jerry West said the 24-year-old has surpassed Kobe Bryant(notes) as the league’s best player.

“That’s great,” James said following practice. “That’s the man who is the logo of the NBA. You can’t play basketball without seeing Jerry West every single day. For him to say something like that is humbling.”

James was then asked if only he could stop himself.

“Um,” he said, pausing. “I don’t want to say that.”

He then reconsidered.

“Yeah, I will say that. You’re right.”

Updated May 20, 1:39 am EDT
digg del.icio.us
more

Team Comparison

Team Record Standings PF PA Road/Home Streak L10
Orlando 59-23 1st Southeast / 3rd East 101.0 94.4 Road 27-14 Won 1 5-5
Cleveland 66-16 1st Central / 1st East 100.3 91.4 Home 39-2 Lost 1 7-3

Notes

April 22 C Dwight Howard's previous playoff high was 29 points against the Raptors in the first round last year. He had 31 points and 16 rebounds in his 15th career playoff game. ... Central Florida resident and the Magic's most famous fan, Tiger Woods, was sitting at his courtside seat across from Philadelphia's bench. ... F Rashard Lewis had missed the last three games with right knee tendinitis. F Hedo Turkoglu had been sidelined for the last two games with a sprained left ankle.

Apr 19, 10:33 pm EDT

F LeBron James banked in a 41-foot shot to beat the halftime buzzer, capping a 20-9 run that gave the Cavaliers a 12-point lead. ... C-F Ben Wallace, who missed Cleveland's final two regular-season games with a strained knee, played 11 minutes Saturday. He collected just one rebound while failing to take a shot. ... The Cavs are only one of five teams to win 39 regular-season home games.

Apr 18, 6:45 pm EDT
NBA

878 Comments

Post a Comment
  1. Houston
    878. Posted by Houston Mon May 25 7:46pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    come on lebron hit some free throws missed 6 could of won the game. put wally szczerbiak in the game coach hes a shooter didnt even play the last 2 games.
  2. Porsha
    877. Posted by Porsha Mon May 25 7:22pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Tha cavs seem alot out of sink they're playing like tha old cavs team against the boston celtics in the playoffs last year..lebron does all he could but he doesnt have the help..his team mates are not stepping up to the challenge or mike brown..he needs to play daniel gibson try different things to see if they receive3 better results
  3. <i>mistahpham</i>
    876. Posted by mistahpham Sat May 23 7:55pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    http://www.rewards1.com/index.php?referrer_id=831457
    http://www.rewards1.com/index.php?referrer_id=831457
    http://www.rewards1.com/index.php?referrer_id=831457
    http://www.rewards1.com/index.php?referrer_id=831457
    http://www.rewards1.com/index.php?referrer_id=831457
    http://www.rewards1.com/index.php?referrer_id=831457


    Get NBA LIVE 10 FREE!!!!
  4. <i>badd_balla_03</i>
    875. Posted by badd_balla_03 Sat May 23 8:42am EDT

    Report Abuse

    If the cavs loose one more blowout lead, i will personally go to cleveland and slap every single one of them (including coaches) across their heads
  5. Alexis
    874. Posted by Alexis Sat May 23 1:10am EDT

    Report Abuse

    I am a HUGE fan of LBJ #23 and he plays with heart, to win and he's a team player it's ALWAYS good to keep the team in with you th'ere is no one man show and I'm in the military and I'm in Afghanistan I don't get to watch the playoffs but my mom keeps me posted but my boy will do what he does and I pray that they come out on top he should get him one because I like Kobe he is a great player but I'm not a fan and he has won several playoffs before its time for a NEW KING and his name is KING JAMES!!!!!!!! Good luck CAVS Alexis Fulton
  6. jeff b
    872. Posted by jeff b Fri May 22 4:11pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    JASONP.......ha ha ha...i like the enthusiasm you have for your team however, you forget the magic have bested you guys for the last two plus years.and you couldnt even beat the lakers at home. we swept them this year! what makes you think the cavs can do any better now?????not that the cavs arent good but really the magic have beaten them pretty consistantly what is it now 9 for 12?
  7. jeff b
    871. Posted by jeff b Fri May 22 4:10pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    ha ha ha...i like the enthusiasm you have for your team however, you forget the magic have bested you guys for the last two plus years.and you couldnt even beat the lakers at home. we swept them this year! what makes you think the cavs can do any better now?????not that the cavs arent good but really the magic have beaten them pretty consistantly what is it now 9 for 12?
  8. JASON
    870. Posted by JASON Fri May 22 3:52pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Cavs are gonna win will be a good series but the magic just dont have enough to make it any further thats it thats all!
    cavs in 6
    Orlando can go to disney world with their free time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  9. <i>abner0808</i>
    869. Posted by abner0808 Thu May 21 11:52pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    go cavaliers
  10. cupcake
    868. Posted by cupcake Thu May 21 10:42pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Cleveland All the way Lakers suck
  11. jeff b
    867. Posted by jeff b Thu May 21 9:21pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    ddizzle is correct....LBJ should have taken it to the rack on the last possession....why not? he already forearmed pietrus to the floor and surely would have gotten the call against gortat.

    b ut for reall yall, at the end of the day anyone can winthis thing....thats why they play'em, however,its this mans opinion that the magic are deeper and will ultimately win....you know we had a couple of guys here in orlando that the press used to call the coming of the next MJ.....penny hardaway and tracy magrady....it didnt really work out for them....i actually feel bad for LBJ, having so much expectations being placed on him...its not really fair IF you dont constantly invite it..... and i think that is why he is hated on so much....a little bit of humility...just a little bit and i think non-cavs fans would probably have a whole lot more respect for him....its just a matter of class.....a great man once said...a man is judged not on how he sails in calm seas rather in rough seas will his true make-up be revealed.(i am para-phrasing of course) the seas just turned...will he rise up? we shall see!
  12. sarah
    866. Posted by sarah Thu May 21 8:48pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    why do people hate on the king he gave all he had if his cast hits a few jumpers they win. still think he should have took it to the rack nobdy can stop it neither a foul or bucket and game over
  13. DeDe Co.
    865. Posted by DeDe Co. Thu May 21 8:21pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Great game by the magic..I said this could happen and should happen, and it did. Got to admit didnt expect it to be game 1! And did anyone notice Howard didnt touch the ball in the post at all those final minutes..and whats wit the refs? alot of miss calls and calls that should not have been. LeBron traveling (as usual). Overall great game plan for the cavs. Shut down everyelse and play tough against lebron. Kinda like reving the engine in a car til you blow a gasket..LeBron was defintley on overload(cramps at end of game)..Not worried about the Denver/LA matchup. still think Denver wins the series. If K-mart doesnt throw that pass out of bounds in those final minutes, maybe they take game 1. This series goes 6 or 7. Denver wins. Kobe needs more(adequate) help. Odom, their most dynamic player, given his size and versatility, disappears some games
  14. DavidM
    864. Posted by DavidM Thu May 21 7:31pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I don't care what people have 2 say about the orlando magic, that's my team and is not going 2 be easy. they are going 2 play hard till them win. so go magic...................
  15. Mark
    863. Posted by Mark Thu May 21 6:49pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    @861, bigrith47, you can't ignore the other more relevant stats. Orlando beat Cleveland by 29 and 11, and only lost by 4. The Lakers had 2 10+ point wins, including at Cleveland. The Cavs may do well against teams with no defense, but they choke against real teams. Lebron seems to care about what people think of him, but other teams just care about a championship. Magic in 5.
  16. free2agoodhome
    862. Posted by free2agoodhome Thu May 21 6:45pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    1..2.....3........4........... Is D. Howard out of the restricted area yet?.... No damn wonder he gets 20+ bounds so much.... Damn the 1 time he was in there so long ,I think I saw him tryin to rub 2 sticks together 4 a fire to cook marshmellows..haha.... No really that was a great game to watch...For those of u that say Cavs were getting all the calls,well that went both ways if u ask me...Iam a lifelong Cleveland any team fan...And i know thats my fault or whatever...Iam one that posted before about Orlando matching up well with the Cavs or even being better.... I agree with #843.... Orlando depends a great deal on the 3's...... If they dont start falling last night ,then what happens?... Cleveland slacked on Defense and that was really thier doom.. Well that and the other "Cavs" didnt show up...And 4 the ones that say Lebron was acting cuz they lost...... I will agree he tends to act at times...But that was 1 tired ball player...Did no1 c the timeout they had to call cuz Lebron was spent?...Iam not gonna be one of the fans that says Orlando sucks just because they are playing my favorite team... And truth is,Magic have shown this year they dont suck...I called it Cavs in 6 b4,and iam stickin with that....If they dont win this year,so be it...But they will still be my favorite team!! Come on Z,Mo,West,Gibson,Gibson.......Lebron needs ya.... GO CAVS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  17. Ron B
    861. Posted by Ron B Thu May 21 6:38pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I'm a Laker fan and know that the Magic will bring a better game than Cavs to the finals. I watched the 4th quarter of last nights game and saw a really good game especially the last 4 minutes. It could have went either way Give the Magic credit they made their shots, the Cavs didn't. James supporting cast couldn't handle the pressure and never will. The Magic now know they can beat the Cav's in Clev. Should be a good game 2 and if the Magic win it then the Cav's will never regain their confidence, their done as a turkey on thanksgiving day.

    Nuggets will fall behind by 18 going into the 4th and after the subs give back 10 the game will end. Lakers in 5
  18. yeah right
    860. Posted by yeah right Thu May 21 6:38pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    See ya tomorrow, Andogg. This series is of no consequence to me, the winner is a LOSER either way in the finals to THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS. Good day, sir...
  19. The Orena
    859. Posted by The Orena Thu May 21 6:36pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Mistake by the lake!!! eat it suckers!!!! magic in 4!!!!!
  20. yeah right
    858. Posted by yeah right Thu May 21 6:35pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    So not only does Andogg enjoy the confines of Queen James' smut, but he also has x-ray vision of the next man's@#$% residue ;-p
  21. Andogg
    857. Posted by Andogg Thu May 21 6:33pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Look "yeah yeah" it's been fun trading blows with you and all but I got s#$* to do and I'm signing off. Maybe we'll go at again after Cleveland wins game 2 and make this an interesting series. Do me a favor though. You probably havn't seen your grandma in a while (unless you live with her). Otherwise go pay her an overdo visit and give her piss bag a tickle for me, won't ya? All in good fun. Outta here.
  22. Andogg
    856. Posted by Andogg Thu May 21 6:33pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Look "yeah yeah" it's been fun trading blows with you and all but I got s#$* to do and I'm signing off. Maybe we'll go at again after Cleveland wins game 2 and make this an interesting series. Do me a favor though. You probably havn't seen your grandma in a while (unless you live with her). Otherwise go pay her an overdo visit and give her piss bag a tickle for me, won't ya? All in good fun. Outta here.
  23. Andogg
    855. Posted by Andogg Thu May 21 6:01pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Ha Ha funny again "yeah right." But I do know because that particular incident was all over the news for quite a while. Or don't you pay attention to what goes on in the world? Colorado. Remember? Way too much LeBron hate and bashing. I'm just taking the other side and having fun with it. Someome on here's gotta do it.
  24. <i>houa33</i>
    854. Posted by houa33 Thu May 21 6:01pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Every game i see, LBJ acts like he is the best player in the world which i think this makes him impossible get the ring...go magic.
Sign in to post a comment, or sign up for a free account

Team Stat Leaders

Points
Rebounds
Assists

Scoreboard

Wednesday, May 20

YAHOO! SPORTS

ALSO ON YAHOO!

THINGS YOU CAN DO

- Site Map

Copyright © 2009 2009 STATS LLC and The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the STATS/AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of STATS LLC and The Associated Press.