Game 44: Cavs @ Magic - Thursday January 29, 8:00 PM

[trdsol23]

I think you guys need to make a move, you guys have losing records against winning teams. I know its the regular season but its not a good sign. This is a big season for you guys, cuz lbj might jump ship if you guys don't make it to the finals or win the nba championship.

[Rise Against]

^^Maybe a losing record against winning teams on the road.. But at home, you know how that goes. And please don't mention anything about LeBron jump shipping to another team.. For crying out loud, it's one freaking game against an elite team where we were short two of our starters. Believe me, a playoff game would be a much different speculation. We are barely over halfway of the season. We still have 38 games to play. Let's not grieve over this loss.. Fact is, we are still one of the best in the league right now.. As a matter of fact, call me a homer but I think we are the best team in the NBA when we are healthy.

[prekazi]

Do you guys remember that we're playing without Big Z and Delonte? What ass kicking??? Are you kiddin' me! I won't even mention the ridiculous officiating. Magic are a great team but when it comes the playoff time I've 0 concerns about them.

In fact the only team which is concerning me is Lakers. We gotta find a way to cope with Gasol-Bynum duo.

[SportsInfoBar]

I agree. I think we are the best team in the league when all teams are at full strength.

Anyone else think our best big combo by playoff is going to be Z and Hickson? Hickson seems to be getting better each game as he is gaining confidence.

I think if we would have had just Z, we would have won at least 1 of the 2 against LA and Orlando.

I also think our coaches found something when they ISO'd Wally on Hedo, exposed a huge defensive liability for the Magic...why we didn't do more of that in the 2nd half would be a good question. But you can bet in the playoffs we will be taking advantage of that.

[B Mac]

Glad to see the last couple posts summarizing my feelings. Lets put some things in perspective here:

- We were without 2 starters
- Z would have pulled Howard away from the rim
- On any normal night LeBron gets even half of those no calls
- If that happens then LeBron doesnt feel like driving is pointless so he doesnt shoot jumpers
- If he drives he eiher finishes or defenses collapse leaving our shooters open

I knew we were going to lose this one before it even started, but I also came away pretty damn certain that, once healthy, we can beat this team no doubts about it. Of course if Dwight is allowed to continue to foul LeBron every time he drives then we might have some problems, but I just have a feeling that the refs are going to have to start calling fouls for him when he drives.

Chins up fellas. It's one short handed loss to what I view as the second best team in the league at their house. We'll get em next time.

[Forest]

Lebron won't get those calls against Howard. Its the way the nba works. Two superstars going at each other there will be no touch fouls or bell out calls.

[TheOUTLAW]

what the heck is a bell out call? But I'm not talking about bailing him out, I'm talking about obvious fouls that effected his shooting. That notwithstanding, LeBron just has to go at him. If they aren't calling them, he's got to make them call something. Foul or charge there should be a call. Either way, LeBron isn't taking those bad jump shots.

[Bay_Areas_Finest]

Hopefully when we meet you guys again you'll be at full strength. I dont like beating times when they are missing key guys. Takes some of the enjoyment out of the wins.

Hickson looked good last night too. He's solid.

[Forest]

My bad I meant bail out. I am referring to when Lebron iniates contact with Howard and Howard goes straight up. It happend several times. Yeah there was contact. But Lebron is not going to get superstar calls against another superstar especially a leading DPOY candidate. The refs always swallow their whistles during those moments of the game. Really who doesn't want to see Lebron try to take it at Howard? Its one of the moments fans and refs want to see happen. As for the refs they did it in the Laker game with Lebron, and the Lakers don't even remotely have the interior presence of Howard.

You should have knew Lebron wasn't going to get those calls against someone like Howard. Just as Orlando fans know Howard is going to be a victim of the Varejao flop everytime he plays the Cavs.

[D-WestFan]

im not going to make anymore game threads, btw lol