I think it should be 3-0 Magic because Cleveland has yet to play a full game. It took a series-saving 3 pointer from LeBron for Cleveland to win a game and they played horrible in that 4th quarter also. You have to play for 48 minutes and Cleveland has yet to do that.

 

And they still have been in the game in all three; they play one half of basketball each game in the first two and still almost win. What does that tell you?

Hey, I admitted I was wrong about Orlando....

 

Me too. I was wrong about both LA and Cleveland. I didn't expect either to get severely tested en route to the finals.

 

They're a terrible matchup for Cleveland.

 

I think the Lakers match up well with either of the eastern finalists...if they can get by Denver.

 

But, I wouldn't count Cleveland out yet. Lebron has been a one-man show this series with absolutely no help, and Cleveland could easily be up 2-1 had Rashard Lewis not hit the big shot in Game 1. So, that "Magic should be up 3-0" argument can work the other way. Cleveland blew double digit leads twice.

 

I think I'd have waited until Game 4 was over before I tooted my own horn...but that's just me.

 

This series ain't over.

And they still have been in the game in all three; they play one half of basketball each game in the first two and still almost win. What does that tell you?

 

If Mo (or somebody) will start giving him some real help, Cleveland will still win this series.

 

I honestly don't see Orlando playing a whole lot better than they're playing right now. That's the good and the bad news for Cleveland.

And they still have been in the game in all three; they play one half of basketball each game in the first two and still almost win. What does that tell you?

 

That they can't finish because they don't have the best closer in the game......:thumb:

If Mo (or somebody) will start giving him some real help, Cleveland will still win this series.

 

I honestly don't see Orlando playing a whole lot better than they're playing right now. That's the good and the bad news for Cleveland.

IMO, 5wide, Orlando has not exactly been playing great this series, it is just a prevailing thought since they are up 2-1 right now. Dwight Howard has been forced to the bench a lot due to some phantom calls and Turgolu has been just so-so. Orlando has played nothing near to the level they did against Boston in game 7. The Magic just pose some matchup problems for the Cavs.

That they can't finish because they don't have the best closer in the game......:thumb:

 

Because of one game? How did Kobe fair last night again?

 

IMO, 5wide, Orlando has not exactly been playing great this series, it is just a prevailing thought since they are up 2-1 right now. Dwight Howard has been forced to the bench a lot due to some phantom calls and Turgolu has been just so-so. Orlando has played nothing near to the level they did against Boston in game 7. The Magic just pose some matchup problems for the Cavs.

 

Yeah right. The Magic started slow in games 1 and 2, but the cannot play better than they did in the 2nd half of both games. Cannot do it. Turkoglu played well in both. He had 18 points and 11 assist in game 1, and hit huge shots in game 2. They didn't play as well in game 3, but neither team did, and it was the worst that Cleveland had played the entire series.

 

Orlando may win the series, but to act like they haven't played well is crazy. Rashard Lewis has had a series, Pietrus has had the series of his career. Howard is owning the paint and even Alston is hitting his shots.

 

Boston is a different team and a different matchup. They also have two scorers as opposed to 1.

IMO, 5wide, Orlando has not exactly been playing great this series, it is just a prevailing thought since they are up 2-1 right now. Dwight Howard has been forced to the bench a lot due to some phantom calls and Turgolu has been just so-so. Orlando has played nothing near to the level they did against Boston in game 7. The Magic just pose some matchup problems for the Cavs.

 

I don't disagree. I suppose they can play better. We have seen it after all. However, I think they've played pretty good in this series. Howard stroking 4th Quarter FT's like Larry Bird...come on. :lol:

 

I don't expect them to play better. I think we've seen Orlando's best in this series and Lebron James by himself is one shot away from being up 2-1 (or down 3-0), however you choose to view. But, the point is, he's singlehandedly kept them in every game. If he gets any help whatsoever, they'll win this series.

 

But, I'm not convinced he'll get it. The Cavs players seem content to let him carry them...maybe they need to learn the same lesson Chicago and MJ did. He has to trust his teammates and they have to have the confidence to take and make the plays.

I don't disagree. I suppose they can play better. We have seen it after all. However, I think they've played pretty good in this series. Howard stroking 4th Quarter FT's like Larry Bird...come on. :lol:

 

I don't expect them to play better. I think we've seen Orlando's best in this series and Lebron James by himself is one shot away from being up 2-1 (or down 3-0), however you choose to view. But, the point is, he's singlehandedly kept them in every game. If he gets any help whatsoever, they'll win this series.

 

But, I'm not convinced he'll get it. The Cavs players seem content to let him carry them...maybe they need to learn the same lesson Chicago and MJ did. He has to trust his teammates and they have to have the confidence to take and make the plays.

 

No star in the league trust his teammates more. End of game one he kicked it out rather than forcing a bad shot. Delonte West had a wide open shot and missed. I think the role players have to play smarter. Big Z cannot stand outside and shoot corner threes, Mo and Delonte cannot penetrate to the paint and turn the ball over, and Pavlovic cannot foul 40 feet away from the basket. Most importantly, the Cavs have to fight through the screens rather than switching or going underneath them, alot of that has to do with the limitations facing Varajao, West and Williams. That is what has led to this series being the way it is, whether LeBron has to do it all or not.

Because of one game? How did Kobe fair last night again?

 

 

 

Yeah right. The Magic started slow in games 1 and 2, but the cannot play better than they did in the 2nd half of both games. Cannot do it. Turkoglu played well in both. He had 18 points and 11 assist in game 1, and hit huge shots in game 2. They didn't play as well in game 3, but neither team did, and it was the worst that Cleveland had played the entire series.

 

Orlando may win the series, but to act like they haven't played well is crazy. Rashard Lewis has had a series, Pietrus has had the series of his career. Howard is owning the paint and even Alston is hitting his shots.

 

Boston is a different team and a different matchup. They also have two scorers as opposed to 1.

OK, you have cited 2 halves of 6 that Orlando has played well, and we can debate semantics and portions of games all day long; but the point is, Orlando has not played out of this world in this series like many believe to be up 2-1.

OK, you have cited 2 halves of 6 that Orlando has played well, and we can debate semantics and portions of games all day long; but the point is, Orlando has not played out of this world in this series like many believe to be up 2-1.

 

I have to disagree. 1st half of game one they shot 45% hardly a bad shooting night. They didn't play terrible in game 3, just more like themselves. Pietrus is not an 18 ppg scorer, Lewis is not Reggie Miller. Howard is not a 30 ppg scorer, though his freethrow shooting was outstanding.

I have to disagree. 1st half of game one they shot 45% hardly a bad shooting night. They didn't play terrible in game 3, just more like themselves. Pietrus is not an 18 ppg scorer, Lewis is not Reggie Miller. Howard is not a 30 ppg scorer, though his freethrow shooting was outstanding.

We will have to agree to disagree then that Orlando has been playing out of this world to be up 2-1. I simply believe it is a matter of matchup problems for the Cavs and Cleveland's interior players being a non-factor. Amber Alert has been issued for Big Z.

We will have to agree to disagree then that Orlando has been playing out of this world to be up 2-1. I simply believe it is a matter of matchup problems for the Cavs and Cleveland's interior players being a non-factor. Amber Alert has been issued for Big Z.

 

Big Z should be in a retirement home.

Big Z should be in a retirement home.

I think Big Z is a nice player and compliment to LeBron, but hanging out at the 3 pt. line is absolutely stupid and he is serving no purpose. They are almost better to go small, imo.

Because of one game? How did Kobe fair last night again?

 

 

As expected. I'd have liked to have seen the Lakers go up 3-1 but JR Smith showed up and played well. Nothing more to say. They played better than us. They outrebounded us. They played with a sense of urgency and we apparently were happy to win a game in Denver instead of going home 3-1.

The Lakers are in a dogfight...they might win this series, but it's going to tough on people like me.

 

I suppose you could give LA a slight advantage due to the fact that 2 of the last 3 are in LA, but I'm not sure that means a whole lot in this series. I'd say it's 50/50 at this point.