GAME THREAD: Cavs @ Magic

[CTMagicUK]

 

Hope everybody had a great Christmas!

 

My gift to all of you is this lovingly created game thread that isn't an emergency, last minute deal.

 

Magic (11-20) VS Cavaliers (17-11)

 

Starting Lineups

 

 

 

 

Elfrid Payton

Victor Oladipo

Tobias Harris

Kyle O Quinn

Nikola Vucevic

 

 

 

 

Kyrie Irving Matthew Dellavedova

Mike Miller

Lebron James

Tristan Thompson

Kevin Love

 

 

 

Obviously will be a tough game but the Cavs are on the second night of a back to back and lost yesterday to the Heat! Go Magic! (I'd post some ESPN preview or something but it'd probably be 90% about Lebron and the Cavs anyway so who cares?!)

[The Neighborhood Bully]

Looks like they're a little worried about Vooch.

 

Here are some tidbits to contemplate before tonight's game.

 

--

 

1. Can't suffer another letdown

 

The Cavaliers were outplayed and outhustled by an inferior Heat squad. Miami was without Chris Bosh and still managed to beat Cleveland by 10 on a global Christmas stage. The Cavaliers have shown a propensity to play down to their level of competition and they revealed that to a massive audience last night. I said at the beginning of the week that Orlando would be in good shape once Cleveland entered the Amway Center after two emotional games. We'll see what transpires.

 

2. Will the real center please stand up?

 

David Blatt hasn't committed to a definitive starting center with Anderson Varejao out for the season. He said it could vary, depending on the matchups. Shawn Marion was inserted into the starting lineup last night, sliding Kevin Love to center. It's hard to envision Blatt going with that same lineup against the Magic. They have arguably the best young center in the game being Nikola Vucevic. He is averaging 18.2 points and 11.8 rebounds. Love can't handle that. Tristan Thompson might get the nod, but I've been wrong before.

 

3. Glaring holes

 

It was only the first game Varejao was out but in his absence, the holes in Cleveland's roster are glaring. We knew they were always there, but it's magnified now. Suddenly Mike Miller at the two isn't cute anymore, the bigs -- with the exception of Tristan Thompson – are marginal at best, and the bench is in desperate need of an overhaul. Simply put, it's a mess.

http://www.cleveland..._orlando_4.html

[barnettej]

Cavs lost last night to the Heat. I'm expecting the Cavs to come out strong and have us beaten by mid 3rd qtr.

 

Just being real.

[Fultz4thewin]

The wire marathon just started on HBO

[Stu Bronsilino]

oh man i've been meaning to rewatch the wire. it is, after all, better than breaking bad.

 

 

BOOOM

[Miller4Prez66]

I was hoping the Cavs would've came back and won a close game yesterday, would've used all their energy and emotion up. But they are angry and will probably take it out on the Magic. Our best chance is to just keep attacking the basket.

[Mauro Pedrosa]

oh man i've been meaning to rewatch the wire. it is, after all, better than breaking bad.

[Mauro Pedrosa]

I was so mad yesterday when the Cavs lost to the Bosh-less Heat (who had just blown a 23 point lead to Philly), now I bet they play their asses off tonight...

[Soul Bro]

I'm strapped in

[Fultz4thewin]

Might get no kyrie tonight

[Catalina Maria]

Dipo without mask. He goes off with 30 point game. Calling it.

[Catalina Maria]

Get the ball to Nic!