Every time the inspired Orlando Magic strung together a burst of baskets and looked as if they were about to make a move on Sunday (aedt), long-time nemeses LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers flexed their muscles and put their imprint on the game.
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Some 10 weeks from the early-season night when the Magic surprisingly throttled the Cavs, James and Cleveland’s bevy of 3-point shooters made sure there would be no repeat at the Amway Center.
Cleveland drilled seven of its first nine 3-point shots of the second half, hit 15 for the game and rode a 33-point, 10-rebound, nine-assist performance from James to dispatch the gutsy Magic 131-127.
A noisy, sellout crowd of 18,997 saw the Magic (12-28) challenge the Cavaliers (26-13) throughout, but Orlando could never re-take the lead because of James’ ability to find his teammates for open shots. Just as the Magic drilled 17 3-pointers in their Oct. 21 defeat of the Cavs, Cleveland won this one with its dead-eye accuracy from beyond the arc.
The Magic actually had two looks at 3-pointers in the final seconds that could have narrowed the game, but couldn’t convert. Orlando hit 15 of 34 3-pointers in the game, but missed a couple of tries in the fourth quarter that could have truly made the Cavaliers sweat.
Aaron Gordon scored 24 of his 30 points in the second half to keep Orlando within striking distance before fouling out with 1:21 to play. Orlando had gotten to within 126-121 when Gordon turned the ball over and grabbed at James, resulting in his sixth foul. Two James free throws pushed Cleveland’s lead back to seven points, but the Magic kept coming thanks to hard drives by Elfrid Payton, who poured in 20 points by making eight of 13 shots.
Evan Fournier made just five of 14 shots, but four of them were 3-pointers and he finished with 18 points. Mario Hezonja chipped in 16 points and 10 rebounds while starting in place of Jonathon Simmons (back spasms). Rookie Wesley Iwundu tied his career high with 12 points.
However, it wouldn’t be enough to keep the Magic from dropping their fourth straight game and 13th in the past 14 outings. When the Magic last played Cleveland in mid-October, that victory started a three-game winning streak.
