Cavaliers slump to 103-87 loss against Orlando Magic – (Part 2)
Orlando Magic got off to a thunderous start, completely outmanoeuvring the Cleveland Cavaliers defence in the first 12 minutes. Jason Richardson started proceedings with a scorching triple pointer in the 15th second, and followed it with a floating
jumper to give Orlando an early lead; one they never surrendered throughout the match.
Soon his team-mates followed as Orlando began to cast a spell on the stumbling Cavaliers defence. Brendon Bass orchestrated an 8-0 spurt midway through the frame to grasp the initiative and then Dwight Howard took over. Howard canned two consecutive shots
to start a 12-2 run in the final four minutes, which he eventually capped with a viscous jam seconds before the buzzer, as the Magic raced to a 33-17 first quarter lead.
The Cavaliers tried to reduce the deficit in the second quarter, and Daniel Gibson drove in a lay-up shot in the fifth minute to bring them within ten. Howard though was again standing in their way. He scored eight straight points to cap a 14-3 run midway
as the Magic pulled away again. The Cavs however, finished the half with a 7-0 spurt that slashed the deficit to 43-56 entering the second half.
Orlando shot just 16 percent from downtown in the first stanza, but they made up for their shortfall with several easy baskets in transition. Their extreme domination on the offensive glass also ensured that they always remained ahead. With Howard scoring
a double-double within the first half, things were looking ominous for the Cavs, but luckily for them the Magic went cold.
Manny Harris though, started the second half for the Cavaliers on a more positive note, hitting two straight to pull within nine. Brandon Bass and Jameer Nelson bounced back immediately with a quick five-point play to restore Orlando’s lead.
The home-team however, went in a shell for the remainder of the frame, converting only 2-of-13 from the court and 0-3 from long-range. Their post-strength was the only thing that kept them ahead them though, as they kept a tight leash on the Cavs progress,
ending the period at 79-63.
By the end of the third quarter, the stage was looking set for another thrashing for the embattled visitors. Ryan Anderson ensured the win, with four sizzling long-range shots within the first four and a half minutes. His last one gave Orlando a 22-point
lead; their biggest of the match.
With the match virtually out of their reach, the Cavaliers offence finally gathered some pace and outscored the Magic in the later part of the quarter, but it was too little too late as the Magic romped to a 103-87 win.
The Cavs defence completely froze in front of a red hot Orlando offence in the first quarter, which ultimately proved to be the difference. Cavs Coach, Byron Scott was quick to highlight the fact post-match.
"We can't allow ourselves to get down by 16 or 17 points and then expect to try to come back," Scott said. "The first quarter was killer. ... We've just got to figure out a way to stay closer in the first half of the game and hopefully we can make a run
in the second half."
Stan Van Gundy wasn’t too happy either, even with the win. The Orlando coach had no reservation in pointing out Orlando’s defensive complacency in the second half.
"We had a great first quarter and then it was dead even after that," Van Gundy said. "I thought we came out with really good energy. We didn't shoot the ball well other than Dwight, J.J. and Ryan. ... I just want us to establish some habits. ... As the game
went on, we weren't quite as sharp defensively."
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