Bad Blood Brewing Between Cavs, Magic

The bad blood is starting to boil in this Magic-Cavaliers matchup.

Just ask Cleveland's Mo Williams, who left Amway Arena with a four-stitch cut below his left eye and another bandage above the same eye, compliments of an elbow from Magic guard Anthony Johnson.

Williams all but called out Johnson in his postgame rant.

"Most definitely," he responded when asked if the foul was a cheap shot.

"That was the second time [for him]. We dove out of bounds in Cleveland last game, and he gave me an elbow then. This is the second time, most definitely."

The play happened with 5:44 remaining in the second period. Johnson was driving with the ball and Williams was trying to slow him. As he went to shoot, he brought his elbow into the face of Williams, who went down in a heap.

Williams got called for a personal foul on the play. Johnson got called for a flagrant foul. Williams had to be helped to the locker room but he quickly returned to make his two free throws, shortly after Johnson missed his two.

"I think it was [a cheap shot]," said Cleveland teammate LeBron James. "Mo's face was not a pretty sight. That's not called for in this game."

That play was just one foul in a game where 58 personal fouls were called.

Williams, though, said he didn't think there would be any carryover into the next game. He also said he and Johnson have no history of bad blood.

"It's the playoffs. I've got bigger fish to fry right now," Williams said. "I could not care less about Anthony Johnson. He plays 12 minutes a game. It's over with."

Latest NBA Playoff Photos

Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James reacts after not getting a call by the official in the third quarter against the Orlando Magic during Game 3 of their Eastern Conference finals NBA basketball playoff series in Orlando, Florida May 24, 2009. REUTERS/Scott Audette (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Reuters

Cleveland Cavaliers' Mo Williams (R) is attended to by medical staff after a collision with Orlando Magic's Anthony Johnson in the second quarter during Game 3 of their Eastern Conference finals NBA basketball playoff series in Orlando, Florida May 24, 2009. REUTERS/Scott Audette (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Reuters

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard gets called for a foul as he blocks a shot by Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James during Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida, Sunday, May 24, 2009. The Magic defeated the Cavaliers, 99-89. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/MCT)

MCT

Orlando Magic guard Rafer Alston (1), center Marcin Gortat (13) and guard Jameer Nelson, dressed in street clothes, celebrate a 99-89 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida, Sunday, May 24, 2009. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/MCT)

MCT

Orlando Magic forward Mickael Pietrus (20) takes a hard foul from Cleveland Cavaliers guard Delonte West during Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida, Sunday, May 24, 2009. The Magic defeated the Cavaliers, 99-89. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/MCT)

MCT

Orlando Magic center Marcin Gortat, left, blocks a shot by Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James during Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida, Sunday, May 24, 2009. The Magic defeated the Cavaliers, 99-89. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/MCT)

MCT

ORLANDO, FL - MAY 24: Rashard Lewis #9 of the Orlando Magic looks to pass against Tarence Kinsey #8 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the the Amway Arena on May 24, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rashard Lewis;Tarence Kinsey

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ORLANDO, FL - MAY 24: Courtney Lee #11 of the Orlando Magic talks with Head Coach Stan Van Gundy during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the the Amway Arena on May 24, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Courtney Lee;Stan Van Gundy

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Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard reacts after a play during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. The Magic won 99-89. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Delonte West, right, puts up a shot in front of Orlando Magic guard Courtney Lee during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. The Magic won 99-89. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

5-25-2009 @ 2:15AM

skobexx24 said...

very sorry for mo it hurts me all the way from here hope you get better mo mo

5-25-2009 @ 2:56AM

svdbygrce said...

When your team is getting beat, it is amazing how the facts of what happened get ignored. It is also amazing how the media and refs(league) are so pro Cavs(Lebron). Anthony Johnson was driving when he was knocked off balance by an obvious Mo Williams foul. Johnson turned to get a shot up as he was fouled like any player would do and he happened to catch Mo in the face with his elbow. It happens, but it could not be a foul on Anthony when the reason for his off balance shot attempt was caused by Mo Williams initiating the contact. But in this case, the refs huddled up and because there was blood, and because it was Lebron's team, they came up with a flagrant foul call. And now, because the are getting crushed in the series, the Cavs are still whining that it was a cheap shot. The accident happened because Mo fouled Johnson. Mo is being a big baby.

5-26-2009 @ 4:58PM

Ned said...

What game were YOU watching? You from Orlando or what? No matter what the series score is, that WAS a cheap shot. His elbow had no purpose there other than to send a message to Mo. Tell you what..I'll drive to the basket and hit my elbow in your face while you're defending me and tell me how you like it and not consider it a cheap shot. Moron.

5-25-2009 @ 3:07AM

Cristobal said...

yes mo, but his 12 min are when the magic play some of their best basketball. his calming presence does wonders when contrasted with rafer's frenetic pace.

what's all this talk about the number 12? isn't that what mo scored tonight?

5-25-2009 @ 3:37AM

Debbie said...

Watch the replay tape and you will see that there was no reason for Johnson to bring his elbow down like he did. As for the refs being Pro Cavs, I don't think so. There were alot of unnecessary fouls that were calls on both teams.
Come On Ref's-Let the teams play the game.

5-25-2009 @ 3:45AM

Hot Mamma said...

the refs aren't just pro cav's, they're pro lebron. that guy gets phantom calls, the league will do anything they can to get him into the finals.

5-25-2009 @ 5:09AM

uticabob said...

HOT MOMMA....U SAID IT!!! IT IS BECOMING SO OBVIOUS IT MAKES ME SICK... WATCHING THE CAVS AND THE CALLS LEBRON GETS AND DOESN'T GET MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I'M WATCHING THE WWF!!!! BECOMING A JOKE. AND PRO SPORTS IS WORRIED ABOUT ROIDS??? THIS IS DIRTIER AND MORE SCANDALOUS... GUESS ABC'S MONEY IS MAKING THE COMMISH NERVOUS?

5-25-2009 @ 6:34AM

hilryshaves said...

NBA officiating is pathetic. Stern needs to blow it up, and start from scratch. One of you dopes please call goaltending on LeBron, it won't kill you, I promise..

5-25-2009 @ 9:18AM

worthy said...

if the nba has told the refs to help one team or another(lakers and cavs) win please try not to make it look so bad.Didn't watch basketball for 8 years during those LA vs Boston years then stopped a few years during the Jordan era was just to sad to watch, tight spots in game no fouls being called until the shot is missed, please you lil fat fella(stern) fix this.

5-25-2009 @ 7:59AM

Jason said...

This was not a cheap shot. It was a player squaring up his body to take a shot after a foul was called, no more or less. But if you want to talk about technicals, what about Williams throwing the ball at Dwight Howard, in full view of the ref with no players blocking the line of sight, and no foul called (Game 1)

5-25-2009 @ 8:26AM

blackmoses said...

Lakers vs Cavs already in the cards.

5-25-2009 @ 8:49AM

dohigdon said...

Waaah, waah, waah. Crying is what it comes to when your getting your butt kicked like the Cavs are. And news flash to James - Williams' face was not a pretty sight before the foul. Speaking of Williams, his comments after the game were laughable. As poorly as he is playing he certainly doesn't need to be dissing anyone else.

5-25-2009 @ 8:50AM

mayhewskds said...

LeBron gets every call, even when there not fouls unbeleivable

5-25-2009 @ 9:09AM

darthebeastmastr said...

of course its fixed all sports are. did you watch the steelers last 2 superbowls?

5-25-2009 @ 12:02PM

Taylors said...

LeBron is now the bearer of the "Jordan Rules". Officiating is such a joke! Donahue wasn't the only NBA person that should be looked at. It should start at the top before Basketball is ruined. I like watching Hockey more, because they don't stop the game so much. Go Red Wings!

5-25-2009 @ 3:17PM

obamaizadope said...

I know I'll catch heat for this, but it's true. Blacks are the best athletes, but the worst officials. Don't get mad, just check it out..

5-25-2009 @ 3:58PM

daveenlakwood said...

well truth be told we are losing this series cause Mo Williams has turned into a mental midget. Z has revealed a lack of toughness and is not hitting his shots which there is not an excuse for, and our bench is watching for someone to take a step up.

5-25-2009 @ 4:18PM

cheerchck882 said...

Its so pathetic to win a game and cry about the refs. yea there was some bad calls but the magic still won the game!! Ive never seen a bigger group of crybaby fans whine about calls when they won the game by 10 points. Its really sad the winning team is crying and whining more than the losing team.

5-25-2009 @ 4:29PM

thewhiteshadow said...

You have to admit though, that Howard has been getting the WORST calls. He got ejected from the last game for no reason at all. His block was so clean, you didnt need an instant replay to see that, yet he spends the last couple minutes on the sidelines providing a huge opportunity for Cleveland. The refs did the same thing to him in the Celtics series. I think the refs just hate Howard.