Magic beat Cavs, sends Celtics to the top
January 30th 2009 19:06
Just when we thought that the Orlando Magic were exposed by the Boston Celtics as not close enough to be considered as title contenders a few days ago, the former simply silenced those who believed that notion in nearly a week later.
The Magic had just defeated the other Eastern Conference legit contender Cleveland Cavaliers 99-88, but in doing so, the Celtics were catapulted right back to the top of the NBA's overall standings.
Two Magic players registered double-double performances. All-Star Dwight Howard (22 points, 18 rebounds) and Hedo Turkoglu (19 points, 11 rebounds) led the assault against the Cavs who played terribly distracted mainly because of alleged non-calls by the officials and LeBron James' quite dismal 10 of 27 shooting.
Orlando (35-10) played just how they're supposed to against Cleveland. Not like the game that they lost to the Celtics where they were held to their lowest scoring output of the season thus far in a 90-80 loss. The Magic also lost to their interstate rivals Miami Heat 103-97 two days later spurning the talks that they are losing grip of their league elite status.
“We didn’t play the way we needed to against Boston,” Howard said. “In order for us to win, we have to plan our game. We fall into playing the other team’s game, we tend to lose. We played our game tonight. We ran, played inside-out, shot the ball with confidence, and that’s what we have to do when we play against a good team.”
On the other end, the Cavs got so frustrated that they lost poise and eventually lost the game bitterly. Cleveland coach Mike Brown and point guard Mo Williams both got technical fouls in the 3rd quarter for complaining about what they believed as excessive non-calls. Brown was so livid that he had to be restrained.
“The NBA is going to make calls how they see it,” Brown said. “This was a physical game, and for a guy like that to go to the free throw line six times when he drove as much as he did, it’s sad to see.”
Brown was referring to James who had a bad shooting night and went to the free throw line just six times despite being aggressive as usual at attacking the rim. To rub salt to the wound, James made only half of those free throw attempts. He also didn't refrained from constantly complaining to the referees for most of the game.
“I’m just trying to be quiet and not say anything to the refs,” James said. “But it can get frustrating at times when you continue to just get beat up and you don’t get the attention of the refs. I just try to be quiet and hopefully they’ll call it the next time.
That was the night that proved even a king's will can be strictly denied in the NBA just like his crab dribble.
With all of the drama going down on Cleveland's rear end, Orlando went about their business. Howard dominated the shaded lane while fellow All-Stars Rashard Lewis (19 points) and Jameer Nelson (18 points) together with Turkoglu did their usual number on their disarrayed opponents.
The Magic outrebounded the Cavs (48-39), shot better overall and proved as the overwhelmingly more focused team that night.
When the dust cleared, Orlando improved to 35-10 moving half a game behind the Cavs and the Los Angeles Lakers (both 35-9).
The Lakers, as we know was dragged to a down-the-wire fiinish by the Charlotte Bobcats where they lost in double overtime 110-117. Kobe Bryant fouled out in the first overtime and it became the Laker albatross that led to a Bobcat upset win.
If the Lakers and the Cavs were pulled down, the Celtics were the ones that reaped the benefits of the recent ongoings among the other elite teams. At 38-9, Boston is done with their slump and back on top.
The Celtics were coming off a blowout win against the hapless Sacramento Kings a day before these recent developments and their next game against the unpredictable Detroit Pistons later on today will be of utmost importance. A win will keep them at number one regardless of how the other powerhouse teams do.
January is about to end and it's still a long season. Let's enjoy the drama in the battle for homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs.
Believe it. There will be more rivetting episodes coming up.
Photo by AP
The Magic had just defeated the other Eastern Conference legit contender Cleveland Cavaliers 99-88, but in doing so, the Celtics were catapulted right back to the top of the NBA's overall standings.
Two Magic players registered double-double performances. All-Star Dwight Howard (22 points, 18 rebounds) and Hedo Turkoglu (19 points, 11 rebounds) led the assault against the Cavs who played terribly distracted mainly because of alleged non-calls by the officials and LeBron James' quite dismal 10 of 27 shooting.
Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic are not going to fold just yet.
Orlando (35-10) played just how they're supposed to against Cleveland. Not like the game that they lost to the Celtics where they were held to their lowest scoring output of the season thus far in a 90-80 loss. The Magic also lost to their interstate rivals Miami Heat 103-97 two days later spurning the talks that they are losing grip of their league elite status.
“We didn’t play the way we needed to against Boston,” Howard said. “In order for us to win, we have to plan our game. We fall into playing the other team’s game, we tend to lose. We played our game tonight. We ran, played inside-out, shot the ball with confidence, and that’s what we have to do when we play against a good team.”
On the other end, the Cavs got so frustrated that they lost poise and eventually lost the game bitterly. Cleveland coach Mike Brown and point guard Mo Williams both got technical fouls in the 3rd quarter for complaining about what they believed as excessive non-calls. Brown was so livid that he had to be restrained.
“The NBA is going to make calls how they see it,” Brown said. “This was a physical game, and for a guy like that to go to the free throw line six times when he drove as much as he did, it’s sad to see.”
Brown was referring to James who had a bad shooting night and went to the free throw line just six times despite being aggressive as usual at attacking the rim. To rub salt to the wound, James made only half of those free throw attempts. He also didn't refrained from constantly complaining to the referees for most of the game.
“I’m just trying to be quiet and not say anything to the refs,” James said. “But it can get frustrating at times when you continue to just get beat up and you don’t get the attention of the refs. I just try to be quiet and hopefully they’ll call it the next time.
That was the night that proved even a king's will can be strictly denied in the NBA just like his crab dribble.
With all of the drama going down on Cleveland's rear end, Orlando went about their business. Howard dominated the shaded lane while fellow All-Stars Rashard Lewis (19 points) and Jameer Nelson (18 points) together with Turkoglu did their usual number on their disarrayed opponents.
The Magic outrebounded the Cavs (48-39), shot better overall and proved as the overwhelmingly more focused team that night.
When the dust cleared, Orlando improved to 35-10 moving half a game behind the Cavs and the Los Angeles Lakers (both 35-9).
The Lakers, as we know was dragged to a down-the-wire fiinish by the Charlotte Bobcats where they lost in double overtime 110-117. Kobe Bryant fouled out in the first overtime and it became the Laker albatross that led to a Bobcat upset win.
If the Lakers and the Cavs were pulled down, the Celtics were the ones that reaped the benefits of the recent ongoings among the other elite teams. At 38-9, Boston is done with their slump and back on top.
Kevin Garnett pulls down a rebound. Can the Celtics stay on top for good this time? It remains to be seen.
The Celtics were coming off a blowout win against the hapless Sacramento Kings a day before these recent developments and their next game against the unpredictable Detroit Pistons later on today will be of utmost importance. A win will keep them at number one regardless of how the other powerhouse teams do.
January is about to end and it's still a long season. Let's enjoy the drama in the battle for homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs.
Believe it. There will be more rivetting episodes coming up.
Photo by AP
| 85 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
Comment by CHILL
Sorry.