I like the chances of Cleveland with SVG on the bench for the Magic.

Cavs in 6.

I am shocked, SHOCKED, that the champion of Orlando all throughout these playoffs picked them to win.

I am shocked, SHOCKED, that the champion of Orlando all throughout these playoffs picked them to win.

 

I've said since before the playoffs started that the Magic would win the East. I've seen nothing thus far in the playoffs that makes me think otherwise.

I like the chances of Cleveland with SVG on the bench for the Magic.

 

Also factor in that they have no real consistent scorers. Hedo can be, but even he is streaky. I think the Cavs have more depth, better players, and the best scorer/playmaker in the game. If the Magic can steal one at home though, it could be anyone's series.

I've said since before the playoffs started that the Magic would win the East. I've seen nothing thus far in the playoffs that makes me think otherwise.

I think you're about to....

I'll take the cavs in a sweep; they are playing head and shoulders above anyone else in the playoffs, as someone said above: it's LeBron's year.

I think Orlando takes them to game 7 but the Cavs win it at home. If they can get in position to win it in game 6 I like their chances.

I think Orlando takes them to game 7 but the Cavs win it at home. If they can get in position to win it in game 6 I like their chances.

 

I voted Orlando in 7, but I feel if they take one of the first 2, I think they take it in 6. Cleveland hasn't been tested at all this postseason, it'll be interesting to see how they respond to getting pushed by a team that is equally talented IMO.

I voted Orlando in 7, but I feel if they take one of the first 2, I think they take it in 6. Cleveland hasn't been tested at all this postseason, it'll be interesting to see how they respond to getting pushed by a team that is equally talented IMO.

 

I see no team that doesn't have Kobe right now as having around equal talent to James and the Cavs. Maybe if DWade had more players around him. Those 3 players put their rosters on another level as far as talent. Howard is the best big in the league, but his impact can only go so far. He cannot consistently score outside of 5 feet, and is prone to foul trouble. Not saying the Magic cannot win, but the only way the Magic win is if they are lights out.

 

Matchup wise

 

Howard >> Illgauskus- No contest. Big Z has played well, but he's no Howard

 

R.Lewis = Varajao- I say push, equally valued in different ways

 

Hedu

 

Lee

 

Alson

 

Bench play is really a wildcard.

 

I would take Joe Smith and Ben Wallace just slightly over Battie and Gortat right now. Could go either way.

 

Gibson and Reddick = twins, Reddick may start to spread the floor, in which case West is a big upgrade overall from him.

 

Wally Z and Pavlovic probably don't equal Pietrus collectively, let alone when you add Johnson.

 

Coaching= Cavs +100000000000000

Talent= Cavs > Magic

Shooting= Magic > Cavs (closer than you may think)

Rebounding= Cavs > Magic ( Howard obviously is the best rebounder in the league though)

Defense= Cavs > Magic (Outside of Howard's inside presence it's not close)

 

I see the Magic can take advantage of Howard in the middle, three point shooting, and a few spots off the bench. If they shoot well and hold their own on the boards it will be a series, if not expect this one to go 5 at the max. I think it will go 6.

Cavs in 5... I see the Magic win onces at home. Cavs have played 8 games Magic has played 12. Cavs are well rested and ready to play, while the Magic wont have the energy to come out and take it the distance.

Cavs in 5... I see the Magic win onces at home. Cavs have played 8 games Magic has played 12. Cavs are well rested and ready to play, while the Magic wont have the energy to come out and take it the distance.

 

I think that is a great point. Alot of teams play better having being tested, but where the Magic rely so much on spot up shooting I think tired legs could hurt them. It will get them beat in either this series, or the next.

Rest has very little to do with anything at this point in the year unless you have a lot of injured players and neither team does.

Rest has very little to do with anything at this point in the year unless you have a lot of injured players and neither team does.

 

:thumb:

 

These are NBA players...Orlando will lose because Cleveland is better, not because they're tired.

 

The Magic aren't an old team anyway...the rest thing would be more significant with an aging team like San Antonio, IMO.

Rest has very little to do with anything at this point in the year unless you have a lot of injured players and neither team does.

 

:thumb:

 

These are NBA players...Orlando will lose because Cleveland is better, not because they're tired.

 

The Magic aren't an old team anyway...the rest thing would be more significant with an aging team like San Antonio, IMO.

 

I guess tired legs won't effect three point shooting against the best defensive team in the league. Yeah, the better team will win, but Orlando will really feel the burn around game 4 or 5. That, to me, is why 3 point shooting teams cannot win titles in the NBA. It's not a sprint it's a marathon. The Magic aren't old, but their two best overall scorers are young either, in Hedu and Rashard Lewis.

I think the regular season matchups mean nothing here, Orlando is tough to prepare for in one day, but over a series you can adjust to how they play. Philly just didn't have enough to beat them, Boston needed KG and their age really showed in game 7. The Cavs will absolutely bury you if you give them a chance. Orlando may take game 1 and not look back, but if the first two rounds are any indication, it won't be a long series.