this is my thread, btw. the Ricky Grace alias was left over after my insanely funny post the other day

(Mod: How's that?)

Cavs up 1 at the half. Lewis and the Turk getting into the game. Cavs blow a 23 point lead after starting so well.

Shows the difference between Lakers minus Kobe, and Cavs minus LeBron, IMO. The old superstar-gets-the-other-players-more-involved trick is a viable option for the Lakers (cf. yesterday), but not so much for the Cavs. It's LeBron or bust. Cavs' lack of a genuine, quality PF is really hurting them too, which I think someone else said yesterday.

Theres a huge reason why the Cavs have done so poorly this series--They cant match up against the Magic.
Who do the Cavs use on Lewis?? Varejao is way too slow to guard him and won't like defending him all the way out on the 3-point line.
Who do the Cavs use on Howard?? He will just monster Big Z, with power AND strength.
Who do the Cavs use on Turkolgu? I haven't seen the series on TV, because they haven't shown it here in NZ, but who is marking Turkglu..Is Lebron guarding him or is he guarding Lewis? Turkoglu has size over West, Williams, Sczcerbiak

Furthermore, who do they put on Pietrus.? He is what..6"9. Can't use Varejao because he is much too slow and same thing with Lewis, he won't want to defend out beyond the free throw line.
Also, if they put a Sczerbiak or West on Peitrus, than he would just easily back both of them down to the post and go to work.

The Magic are such a unique team. I think they can beat the Lakers. They create funny matchups for other teams, Lakers might struggle guarding them one on one too. Fisher cant stick with Alston speed wise, Turkglou has 4 inches on Kobe, Howard is much more stronger and powerful than Gasol, Lewis and Odom is pretty even (Exciting matchup for sure), Courtney Lee would burn Walton anyday, Kobe is going to have his work cut out with Turkoglu, Lee and Peitrus probably sharing the defensive roles on him..Turkoglu has the size and experience(8 year veteran to defend him), Lee has the speed to defend him and Pietrus is the same height as Kobe and has the strength to prevent him from posting up and going to work.

definitely - Varajeo and Wallace are basically there to foul Howard. That said, Wallace has been OK grabbing boards and creating second opportunities.

Cavs up by 11, less than a minute to go.

Cavs get the W

Watched the game - the fouls on Howard were all legit today. In fact if anything there were some very poor calls made against Big Z and to a lesser extent Varejao.

Big Z and Varejao both fouled out too so you can;t really say it was one way traffic against Howard and the Magic.

LeBron was special today. He took over the game and registsred a big triple double. At one point late in the 4th quarter, he was involved in something like 36 straight Cav's points scored, whether it was by his own hand or via an assist. Gibson stepped up big time in the last quarter also, nailing three triples of James' assists. Mo was also a lot better today - the first Cav's player other than James to score more than 20 points in this series.

In one play Turk goes to the rim gets hammered by 3 Cavs players-no call, next play James goes to the rim, Howard's chest slight touch with James's chest-FOUL....! with 3 mins to go and Cavs up by 4 work that one out.

Here we go Lakers v Cavs Final, very sad.

Disagree with that version of events A...but each to their own.

I also recall that James went hard to the rim earlier in the 4th and appeared to have his arm ripped off - no call was made and it was on The King!

Whether we agree to disagree with a call, whether it was there, or not, not everything is called the way we see it or feel it should be called.

I've seen Cavs play with LeBron maybe 15 times in my life (thank you OneHD). This was the first time where he truly matched up with MJ's greatness. That last qtr, was magnificent. He was a machine, a Terminator. A brilliant performance.

LC, I understand James has and will always get these calls, but it is so blatantly clear and obvious which teams are getting the favourable calls at the moment. I am not saying that the NBA are deciding the outcome of games but certain teams are getting auspicious calls, whilst other teams are not getting calls at all.

A - I suppose you didn't see game 2 then? When LeBron was called for a dubious travel and had his basket waved away with scored tied and 30 seconds remaining?

'When LeBron was called for a dubious travel and had his basket waved away with scored tied and 30 seconds remaining?'

billo, for crying out loud, James took 'FIVE' steps in that call!

On a side note - Does any NBA player not travel? If I tried to make any of their moves, even catching the ball I would get called for a travel. Can be frustrating to watch for a purist.

Good to see the Cavs that are apparently in shambles getting the win. Also Mo Williams who is a joke and broken apparently having a good game! :P

Tomorrow's game 6 will be awesome to watch!