Cavs Game 2 – Open Thread / Chat
May 22, 2009While We’re Waiting… Magic’s defense on the final shot, Mo’s (Non)Technical Foul, Joe Tait’s Call
May 23, 2009
(Magic – Cavs box)
Friday night, the Cavs and Magic continued the Eastern Conference finals in very different positions than they started. Prior to the series start, the Cavs were the presumptive Eastern Conference champs, if not NBA champs in many people’s mind. Even the pre-series interviews between John Thompson and LeBron James included questions about the potential matchup of LBJ and Kobe. Of course LeBron didn’t bite on the question, but still, the fact that it was asked at all is very telling. So quite obviously the national press and Cavs fans were just blown away when the Magic “stole” game one in Cleveland. After much flagellation and analysis, game two finally arrived and ended in magical fashion. This time the magic was on the side of LeBron James and the Cavs instead of the team from Orlando.
The Cavs again were listless in the fourth quarter. They entered the fourth with a 6 point lead and gave back 5 points in the quarter to win the game by 1 point. That statement, while accurate doesn’t tell the tale of tonight’s game in the slightest. With the game tied up, Sasha Pavlovic was guarding Hedo Turkoglu at the top of the key. He fouled Turkoglu with a reach with less than 14 seconds left on the game clock. 14 seconds is an important number because it is the number of seconds that the shot clock gets reset to when a foul occurs. With the game tied at 93, Sasha’s foul gave Orlando a pretty clear chance to take the last shot. And Turkoglu did his best to try and take that last shot as he drained a jumper.
Luckily for the Cavs, there was 1 second left on the clock. That one second proved just enough for LeBron James to hit the biggest single shot in the history of the Cavaliers’ organization (so far.) LeBron collected the inbounds pass from Mo Williams, and shot a fadeaway three to give the Cavs a 96-95 victory and potentially save the Eastern Conference finals from near certain ruin. LeBron James is the NBA MVP and that play is certainly enough to remove any doubt of whether or not he deserved the award.
Wow. What a finish! So, how did we get to that point?
The Cavs jumped out to a similar lead in game two that they had in game one. They had energetic defense and efficient offense as they jumped out to a 10+ point lead at times. They were also very fortunate to avoid some extracarricular penalties as Mo Williams threw the basketball at Dwight Howard in the first quarter. A foul had been called and Mo Williams was still driving toward the lane. Dwight Howard was continuing the play and inadvertantly hit Mo Williams in the head on a block of his drive. All of these events were occurring after the whistle. After getting hit in the head, Mo Williams threw a two-hand chest pass into Dwight Howard’s hip. It was relatively harmless, but the Cavs were lucky that the referees were not looking.
The first quarter ended much like the first quarter of game 1. The Cavs played a very defensive oriented game keeping the Magic under control in building a 30-16 lead. At the end of the first, the Magic were shooting just under 32% from the field with Dwight Howard and Anthony Johnson leading the way with 6 and 5 points respectively. The Cavs were paced by LeBron James and Delonte West who each had 8 points in the first.
The second quarter could easily be described as the point where the Cavs’ bench decided to be heard. Lebron took a long rest and when he re-entered the game it was Cavs 43 and Orlando 21 with just under 7 minutes to go until halftime. Of course having Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis on the bench helped the Cavs chances too. Sasha Pavlovic was sighted during the second quarter alongside Joe Smith. Pavlovic had 7 points and a +/- of +10 in 13 minutes after not playing at all in game 1. Joe Smith had 5 points and a +/- of +18 in 8 minutes. The rest of the half (after Turkoglu and Lewis re-entered) the Magic restored a bit of order and the first half ended with the Cavs leading the Magic 56-44. Minus a Mo Williams 3/4 quart three pointer, it was eerily similar to the first half of game one for Cavs fans.
Second verse, same as the first. The Magic came out ready to go in the third quarter. Mike Brown finally called a timeout for the Cavaliers with just over 6 minutes to go in the as Orlando chopped the Cavalier lead to 6, Cavs 64, Magic 58. Rashard Lewis hit two straight threes to finally cause Brown to stop the game. The Magic cooled off considerably, but still had a great quarter to put themselves within easy striking distance. At the end of the third the Magic had raised their shooting percentage to 41.8% in bringing the score to 75-69 Cavs.
Heading into the fourth the question was whether or not the Cavs could adjust their defense to the three pointers of Orlando and their offense to the tighter zone. Jumpers weren’t falling for the Cavs, but they weren’t having nearly as much success driving to the hole on the tightened Orlando interior defense. It was especially surprising since Dwight Howard was forced to the bench in the third quarter with his fourth foul. At the end of three quarters, Dwight Howard had 10 points and 17 rebounds with a +/- of -11. But the fourth quarter was beginning and the 23 point Cavs lead was all the way down to 6.
Of course now that we know how the game ended, but it very easily could have been different. Without the last second heroics of LeBron James, the Cavaliers would be down 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals. They would have a nearly impossible task of trying to win in Orlando. But despite all the problems, fears, and drama, the Cavs are going to Orlando with the series tied up at 1. 1 is an instructive number right about now. It was the margin of victory in each of the first two games of the series. It is also the number of games, minimally, that the Cavs must win in Orlando at some point to earn the right to face the Western winner in the finals.
All is not sunny and rosy, depsite the victory. The Cavs once again allowed a sizeable lead to disappear.
31 Comments
*exhale*
Wow. I can’t stop smiling watching that shot time after time after time. The only hope is this builds some momentum and erases the negatives (second halves in games one and two) as Cleveland heads down to Orlando.
This is the best basketball game I’ve seen in my life, period.
Game 2 – down 1 – 1 second left – LeBron for 3……… hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah
To LeBron:
Thank you for giving me a chance at possibly being allowed to step foot into northern Ohio again.
Signed,
Joe Posnanski
Wow… it was awesome talking to you guys on the chat the last 5 minutes of the game.
Craig,
Great write-up. I remember during the live-chat, someone remarked that the kid in the above picture was being prepared for a lifetime of Cleveland sports disappointment.
That kid is now spoiled!
That is a great screen grab of that kid. The expression on his face sums up my youth following the Browns and Indians and Cavs. Too bad we didn’t get a second look at the kid after LeBron’s shot.
So, we need a name for this shot. It can’t be “the shot,” as that has already been covered in funeral shrouds. Any suggestions?
In this game, Sasha was his old self: full of energy, showing sparks of brilliance, but also making a few boneheaded plays. Overall, his presence benefited the club, and I think Brown needs to put more trust in the bench (Smith and Wally in particular).
Great shot by James. Something finally went our way. But. This team has blown big leads at home twice now. They’ve done it with horrible shooting in the second half. The Magic run one play. Pick and roll. And Mike Brown can’t figure out a way to stop it. I have a really hard time believing we can win a game in Orlando.
I hope Mo is out of his slump now. And hopefully his funk transfers to Lewis.
Can’t help but wonder if Mo’s shot had gone in at the buzzer in Game #1… to be matched by Lebron’s shot in Game #2… the whole tempo of the series would be different. Cavs fans would be talking about destiny, miracles, etc. and the Magic would be getting written off just like the Pistons and Hawks. No one saying that though.
The Cavs will have a very hard time winning this series.
The shot was great and everything. But we are lucky to even escape tied 1-1. Orlando will take both games 3 and 4 if we play that crappy in the 2nd half again.
Wow! I was at the game and the place went absolutely Berserk! My knees were shaking and I was hugging strangers and high-fiving everyone around me! What an awesome feeling. Following the shot, everyone stood there as if they couldn’t realize what they just witnessed. AMAZING!
I can only imagine what it would have been like to be there. Lebron hits a deep trey with a 6’10 guy flying at him after his team blew a 23 point lead. Amazing.
Craig, Agree with everything you said..except I maybe have to disagree with your title (maybe). Jordan’s shot was in a deciding game, although LeBron’s was in a ECF. Even though the Bulls didn’t win it all that year, that game still is the highlight in Jordan’s career (even above the “Spectacular move” against the Lakers in the Finals and the push off jumper against the Jazz in the finals to win the title). Clearly the outcome in this series will make the difference in how this shot is looked at down the road.
Win one of two in Orland and I believe we will win the series. ALso, I think this matchup is tougher for us than either the Lakers or the Nuggets. WIN! WIN! WIN!
When Hedu made his two, I got up and walked out of the room. I typed this into my facebook status update:
Dear Sports God. I don’t know what you want from me, but I am done. I give up. You win.
Moments later, my son was screaming, “Daaaad!” Thank you Twenty Three, Two Three. Thank you TIVO.
I went back at commented on my own update, “Oooooooohhhhhh!”
We can call it “The 3.”
The Other Tim-
um a person with kids not only has a Facebook page but has time to update it? Okkk
I like “The 3”.
How about “The Save”?
Man, we can’t keep blowing these big leads. When you’ve got ’em down, you can’t let ’em back up.
It looks like the little kid is wearing some bandages. He must have chewed two of his fingers down to the knuckle.
Welcome to Cleveland fandom, kid. Hope you don’t wind up with too many scars.
If I was a Magic fan, I’d asking why do we have to get down by double digits before starting to play.
It’s pretty simple as I see it, the Cavs play great defense on the shooters until they get too tired in the second half. At that point, the Magic shooters are rested enough from not playing hard in the first half to make all the shots. I just can’t believe all these 3’s continue to fall for them.
I still believe that the Cavs are doing the right thing. Maybe coach Brown needs to make an assignment change here or there, but eventually all these 3’s will start rattling out, right? Right? Right? Please someone tell me I’m right.
It is amazing how well the Magic shoot. You have to figure they can’t keep it up all series. I don’t see why we aren’t playing more small ball though. They are too fast and too good shooting threes to just sit and play a plodding style.
I agree there were many aspects of these two games to be worried about for the rest of the series. But for right now, I am going to enjoy the 3, and keep my fingers crossed about the next game.
he is simply amazing. a freak.
it’s unfortunate though… the cavs will lose this series as they just don’t have the killer instinct it takes to put this team away. orlando in 6.
That kid in the photo was one of the first to leave his feet in celebration. He was all over the final shot.
I reminded my pwn little boy about all Lebron’s extra shooting practice. IT pays off often but none moreso than in that last second.
I’m still stunned–but beautifully so.
Go Cavs!
Simply classic! Love it! I’m at ease until Sunday now.
[…] debate over how Orlando defended the final play (See Craig’s post below for a full recap): “Again, Van Gundy wasn’t specific on what he could have done, […]
It was crazy downtown after the game. My buddy and I headed right to the bar afterwards to celebrate with some LeBomb James shots. Normally I don’t think people would appreciate getting covered in splenda and salt as I imitate Lebron’s pregame ritual but last night people were loving it.
quick point about these first 2 games:
on game 2:
“Of course now that we know how the game ended, but it very easily could have been different. Without the last second heroics of LeBron James, the Cavaliers would be down 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals.”
Change this statement to reflect game 1:
Of course now that we know how the game ended, but it very easily could have been different. Without the heroics of Rashard Lewis the Magic would be down 1-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals. ”
My point? These have both been tight basketball games that have been decided at the end of the game, won by 1 point. Not perfect baskeball by either team, both have weaknesses and strengths and play poorly or outstanding and are coached well or poorly for stretches in both games. It is 1-1 in the best of 7 series, that’s it. We have to trust in our team and coaches that they will make corrections for deficiencies and that these games might not be the clinic we put on in the first two rounds, but if we play hard, learn from mistakes, and keep focused, we will win the series. Will it be in 5 like I thought, not looking like it, but if it goes 7 and we win then then that is all that matters. If we lose, then we didn;t do our jobs.
When they showed the little kid, I actually felt it was in poor taste, as if it were being rubbed in that we were about to lose. Maybe I’m paranoid. Or maybe I’m used to the sports media treating Cleveland like dirt.
[…] Magic in this series. The 96-95 victory was a moment that none of us will ever forget. You can read Craig’s recap of the game here, but what follows is my analysis in numbers and […]
Jake – When you’re a free-lancer, and everyone in your industry is on facebook, you have a facebook page.