Orlando Magic Grades: Cleveland Cavaliers 111, Orlando Magic 76
The Orlando Magic did not have much of a chance to do anything with the Cleveland Cavaliers focused in the way they were. Few players could feel good.
Final. 76. 38. 111. 156
The Orlando Magic could not quite put their finger on what exactly went wrong or why things went wrong. They never had the energy and never had a chance against a Cleveland Cavaliers team that is increasingly upset at its own play and has the firepower to do something about it.
The Cavaliers had the lead from the beginning, scoring the game’s first seven points. The Magic had one push to end the first quarter to bring it to within two points. But Cleveland pushed it back out quickly from there.
And then the Cavaliers kept pushing the lead out further and further. The Magic never had an answer or anything resembling one. Scott Skiles tried a different lineup early in the third quarter with a complete line change, but that did nothing.
The Magic were thoroughly beat playing with a lack of energy, precision or execution. It was possibly their worst game of the year with no chance at a win.
At least the team got to see some late-game action from center Dewayne Dedmon and Mario Hezonja.
Orlando Magic. TOBIAS HARRIS. D. <p><strong><a href=. F
C. <p><strong><a href=. C. Orlando Magic. NIKOLA VUCEVIC
C. <p><strong><a href=. PG. Orlando Magic. ELFRID PAYTON
MARIO HEZONJA. B. <p>If there was good news to come out of the blowout it is that Mario Hezonja got to play a career-high 20:35 in the game. And he got to play without fear of making mistakes and getting pulled. The Magic needed a game like this for him. You just wish it would have been in a win.</p><p>Hezonja scored 12 points on 3-for-5 shooting, making two of three from beyond the arc. He shot it confidently and did not let defensive mistakes gets to him. He was able to find some holes and attack some as the Magic tested him out at point guard some, a position he said he is very comfortable with.</p><p>Hezonja still has to get comfortable with some things. He got the chance to guard LeBron James and be guarded by LeBron James and it did not go well. He was still a bit overwhelmed physically, he did foul out in this game. But he produced in this game and did his part.</p>. G. Orlando Magic
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS. A. <p>The Cleveland Cavaliers were toying with the Orlando Magic all game. They had this thing on lockdown from the beginning scoring the first seven points without much trying. The Magic made a run to end the first quarter. The Cavaliers were done after that.</p><p>LeBron James scored 25 points and dished out eight assists. <strong><a href=. 15-7. 1st East