Sunday Night’s All Right For Fouling: Cavs at Magic, Game 3
- And then, sometimes, the miracle is not answered.
- James may have had his best game in this series, and at the same time, his worst offensive outing, if that makes sense. He had 9 assists and 7 boards with only two assists, better numbers than the first two games, but 11 of 28 from the field.
- Most importantly, he shot 1-8 from the arc. Six attempts in game 1, made 50%. Three attempts in game two, hit one of three. I’ve said all year that James is at his best when he’s driving, creating, attacking, not settling for three point shots. It’s nice to have that weapon available when you need it (like when you’re down two with one second on the clock), but you don’t want to rely on it. It’s just not a good idea. I don’t think shooting three pointers is something you can’t rely on. Relying on James’ three point range is like deciding that the PS3 is better than Mario 64. Sure, the graphics are flashier, but it’s all about gameplay, friends.
- Mo Williams called Anthony Johnson a cheapshot artist in postgame interviews, then dismissed him, saying “I could not care less about Anthony Johnson. He plays 12 minutes a game. It’s over with.” And it’s true, Anthony Johnson plays very little. He also got tagged with a flagrant for driving, making incidental contact, and accidentally cutting Williams’ eye open. He did not throw the ball at another player, nor did he have five turnovers tonight. So he’s got that going for him.
- Don’t think the Cavs are just in a slump. I’ve talked a lot about this in the Roundcasts, but the Magic have long, athletic defenders at every position that are running off three pointers constantly. Effort but talent plus athletic ability. Equals they are kind of good.
- I like the Cavs in Game 4. They’ve got one of those “all-around effort trumps matchup problems” games in them. I don’t like them in this series, but the Magic are due for a cold shooting night that will be a statistical outlier, and the Cavs have to start hitting shots with a defender in their face sometime. Theoretically.
- Rafer Alston played above his ability tonight, but Hedo also shot horribly. If Rafer Alston is knocking down shots at even 40%? The Magic are tough to beat. Well, tougher.
- Hedo’s shot isn’t there right now. But instead of going JR Smith and just shooting for shooting’s sake, Turkoglu is forcing fouls, being aggressive, and creating. He had 14 assists in Game 1, and 7 assists tonight, the biggest coming on a late key to rim drive and kick to Lewis for the dagger.
- You kept waiting on Howard to clank those free throws. And for James to nail them (and James did ice a necessary pair late, but not enough). I actually got up to get another Dr. Pepper when James was at the line and said “and James hits the first.” … “Lebron misses ANOTHER free throw!” I stopped. Okay. That’s funny.But he’ll hit the second one. Front iron. Dang, King. Maybe you should try falling backwards and countdown from 1.
- Meanwhile, Howard is becoming a MAN on the court in this series. Anybody can block shots and throw down dunks (well, okay, not anybody, but lots of guys). But hitting clutch free throws and drawing fouls inside? That’s big time, right there. There’s a compelling story coming IF the Magic can finish the job.
- Oh, hi, Sasha Pavlovic. Welcome back to the statistical mean.
- And in closing, Marcin Gortat is going to get PAID.
