NBA- Orlando Magic Beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 101-95
The Orlando Magic had their first victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers this season, defeating the team 101-95 this past Sunday. The victory keeps the Magic in second place in the Eastern Conference with a 38-19 record; Cleveland remains in first with a 43-14 record, despite adding its first three consecutive losses in two years. Orlando entered the first quarter with a great deal of energy, bringing the first points to the scoreboard with a 12-5 run in the first four minutes of the quarter. LeBron James tried to step up for the Cavs, scoring 11 points. But Dwight Howard responded as well, adding 11 points, giving his team a 25-18 lead. The tempo increased in the second quarter with a flurry of baskets. The Cavs were close to surpassing the scoring, but they had difficulty cutting the 7-point lead; the closest they got was within 3 points with 7:21 left. But Orlando's great execution in the offense, combined with a strong defense, kept the Magic in the lead 46-43. In the first minutes of the third quarter, Cleveland entered with a robust offense, scoring 11 points in a row with no answer from Orlando and established a 5-point lead, 54-49. Orlando tried to respond with two baskets, but the Cavs were so motivated that they managed to extend their lead to 7 points with 7:12 left.
However, Howard and Rashard Lewis came to the Magic's rescue, tying the score on several occasions. JJ Hickson scored for the Cavs, and Mickael Pietrus tipped for the Magic, and the scoreboard ended the third at 75-74, in favor of Cleveland. Starting the last quarter, the Magic entered and scored 5 points in a row, taking the lead. But their advantage only lasted a few seconds; Cleveland tied the score again and added an 8-0 run to take the lead themselves 85-80. But Orlando, with the help of Vince Carter and Nelson aE" who together made 16 points in a row aE" took an 8-point lead with 2 minutes left. Cleveland just didn't have time to reverse the scoreboard, and Orlando ended with victory, 101-95. After the game, Lewis stated that the game against the Cavs was a difficult one. Nevertheless, he reminded fans of Orlando's strong history.
aEoeSometimes people do forget that we're the defending Eastern Conference champions. That's OK. We just got to keep playing hard, because we know we might see them again, aE� Lewis said. The best scorers for the Orlando Magic were Dwight Howard with 22 points, 16 rebounds and 4 blocks; Jameer Nelson with 18 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds; Rashard Lewis with 15 points and 4 rebounds; Mickael Pietrus with 13 points and ultimately Vince Carter with 11 points and 3 assists. For the Cleveland Cavaliers the best scorers were LeBron James with 33 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists; Shaquille O'Neal with 20 points and 5 rebounds, and finally Antawn Jamison with 19 points and 8 rebounds. Orlando's next game will be against the Houston Rockets on February 24th while the Cavaliers will face the New Orleans Hornets on February 23rd.
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