If the Cavs win Game 4, they knot the series at 2-2 and regain the home-court advantage, turning it into a best-of-three test with two games in Cleveland. The Magic can't pass that test
If the Magic win tonight, it's 3-1 and all but over as the white flag comes out. As resilient as the Magic have been all season, it's tough to see Cleveland winning three straight unless LeBron James can add a twin brother to the roster.
Keep reading for five questions for Game 4.
1. Will LeBron James get the help he needs to win this series?
The Cavs won 66 games this season and swept through the first two rounds of the playoffs, so they have some more-than-capable capable players. They just have not showed up yet in this series.
The issue now is whether James still trusts them enough. Near the end of Game 3, it looked like he lost confidence in them. Without help, he wore down again late in Game 3, which is why he had two shots blocked and missed five free throws in the fourth quarter.
Mo Williams is due for a good game. Since he also guaranteed a series win on Monday, it's time for him to step up and look like an All-Star again. Anderson Varejao also needs to play better.
LeBron James Photos
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James, left, and Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard share a few words during a timeout in 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)
AP
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
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 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
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) walks off the court after losing Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals to the Orlando Magic 99-89 in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009.(AP Photo/John Raoux)
AP
ORLANDO, FL - MAY 24: Rashard Lewis #9 of the Orlando Magic passes against LeBron James #23 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 Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rashard Lewis;LeBron James
Getty Images
ORLANDO, FL - MAY 24: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers steals the ball from Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic 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 Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** LeBron James;Dwight Howard;Zydrunas Ilgauskas
Getty Images
ORLANDO, FL - MAY 24: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots against the Orlando Magic 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 Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** LeBron James;Zydrunas Ilgauskas;Anderson Varejao
Getty Images
ORLANDO, FL - MAY 24: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives against against Mickael Pietrus #20 of the Orlando Magic with the help of teammate Zydrunas Ilgauskas #11 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 Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** LeBron James;Mickael Pietrus;Zydrunas Ilgauskas
Getty Images
ORLANDO, FL - MAY 24: Courtney Lee #11 of the Orlando Magic shoots against LeBron James #23 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 Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Courtney Lee;LeBron James
Getty Images
2. Will there be any Cleveland retaliation for the hit on Mo Williams by Anthony Johnson in Game 3?
Like Williams said, he has more important things to worry about beyond Magic backup Anthony Johnson and any paybacks.
The Cavs will treat Game 4 like a catfight, clawing and scratching to avoid falling behind 3-1. Neither team has anything like an enforcer that they can afford to lose if he gets tossed.
Williams will be wearing his swollen eye like a badge of honor tonight, using it as incentive against the Magic point guards.
Although Williams still insists it was a "cheap shot,'' by Johnson, the league today rescinded the Flagrant Foul call against Johnson, which will defuse the situation even more.
3. Is Dwight Howard in jeopardy of being suspended under the technical foul rule?
Howard has five in the playoffs, just two shy of the level in which the NBA automatically suspends him for a game. If the Magic reach the NBA Finals, he may not have any cushion remaining.
He said Monday he would try to restrain himself from getting any more technicals in this series. The Cavs, though, will test him again with some intentional fouls when he catches the ball close to the basket. The hack-a-Dwight strategy didn't work in Game 3, but they haven't given up on it yet.
"Before the game starts, I'll duct tape my mouth and put elbows pads on so I don't hit anyone,'' Howard said. "My new motto is `mouth shut, elbows in.'''
4. Are the Magic really bothered by everyone hyping a potential Cavs/Lakers NBA Final?
It depends on who you ask. Young Dwight Howard says he is offended because it helps motivate him. Some of the veterans don't care. It's kind of silly and the veterans realize it's just a media fantasy. Magic coach Stan Van Gundy scoffs like he always does.
"I've said it again and again,'' Van Gundy repeated Tuesday morning. "This isn't the BCS, where people vote to see who advances. This is real sports, where you play the games to determine who wins and moves on.''
5. Who really are the keys to Game 4?
Everyone knows that LeBron will get at least 30 and do as he pleases. Dwight Howard will get his 20 and 15.
The keys, though, are going to be Orlando's Hedo Turkoglu and Cleveland's Anderson Varejao.
Both were sub-par in Game 3 and both are expected to play considerably better this time. If Turkoglu can hit his shots, he will give the Magic that third major weapon they need beyond Howard and Rashard Lewis. He will have the ball at all the key moments.
Varejao is the one who can get under Howard's skin, and send him into foul trouble once again. He is slippery, but foul trouble prevented him from playing much in Game 3. He needs to become more of the Cleveland offense again, scoring by slashing to the basket and nailing more offensive rebounds.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-26-2009 @ 4:03PM
whoisdarr said...
I am kind of surprised that no one has talked about that elbow Howard threw and almost hit Mo Williams with after a foul was already called under the basket. If Mo Williams doesn't pull back from the elbow Howard is sitting out Game 4.
Reply
5-26-2009 @ 4:18PM
J said...
If the Cavs win Game 4, they knot the series at 2-2 and regain the home-court advantage, turning it into a best-of-three test with two games in Cleveland. The Magic can't pass that test
Are you kidding me? The Magic have just as good a chance winning in Clev as they did in Boston. Home Court really doesnt matter anymore as you can see throughout the playoffs. I cannot wait untill this series is over and i dont have to read these dumb articles all jumping on Clev bandwagon. The Magic win the series in 6 and all you sportswriters will start to see who the best TEAM is and not the best PLAYER. Magic vs Lakers ... Magic in 7.
Reply
5-27-2009 @ 12:42AM
HI CMA MAN said...
What makes you think that the lakers will win in the West? They are not doing too well lately.
5-26-2009 @ 4:22PM
George Schulz said...
No one says a thing about Dwight Howard making a clean block of James' three point attempt late in the fourth quarter and the ref. calling it a foul. If it wasn't for the refs. calling every move against James a foul, the Magic would be 3-0 right now.
Magic in 6.
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5-26-2009 @ 4:39PM
troy carlton said...
Allthough i hate to say it i do believe the Cavs come up with the win tonight. I can see both West and Williams having an awesome shoting night. Now that being said it will be interesting to see if Lebron gets nervous and stops dishing to his team, i believe if Lebron trys to win this one by himself tonight (though totally capable) it will make for a long night for Cleveland. I just hope Orlando sticks with what has worked for them this far. I hope they continue to attack the basket instead of just throwing up bricks and hoping they go in. I think Dwight needs to prove tonight he belongs in the discussion when talking about the elite. If he leads by example with his rebounding and defense and the Cavs come out shaky then by all means Orlando can win. But i will unfortunately say the Cavs get this one tonight
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5-26-2009 @ 6:13PM
jon90 said...
The Cavs should hope they get as much "Help" from The Refs today as the Nuggets got last night to pull out a Victory. Too bad the Magic need Zero help from the refs, Magic take game 4! take 3-1 Lead
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5-26-2009 @ 7:18PM
KIM said...
I say every time a Cleveland team makes it to the playoffs in their sport, they will choke. This I hate to say is what the Cavs have done. They should have won game 3. I'm not much of a sports fan any more. Cleveland teams always let the people down. They play well until that rare occasion that they make the playoffs, then the same thing always happens. Cleveland sports fans have been patient long enough. I have other priorities and sports is no longer one of them. At least not Cleveland sports. I would like to see them win but I'm not going to hold my breath anymore.
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5-26-2009 @ 8:05PM
rwing said...
He doesn't let anyone else help, so how can they??? LeBron has to be THE ONE-MAN SHOW, another ARROGANT ONE, oh lol!!!!! Successful teams play AS A TEAM, which is not something LeBron would know anything about...as it's all ABOUT HIM, you know. So I say..GO ORLANDO!!!!
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5-26-2009 @ 9:07PM
Birdie said...
The cavs know the game. The problem is Orlando enjoying beating up the other team. It looks as though they prefer that way. The elbow to the eye is a clear pic. of that.
Reply