Thursdays National Basketball Association Capsules
January 30th, 2009 Posted in NBA basketball newsORLANDO 99, CLEVELAND 88
ORLANDO, Florida It looked like a classic battle between two of the leagues best teams, destined to go down to the wire. Instead, the anticipated showdown between the Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers devolved into a laugher.
The Magic unleashed their most dangerous weapon – perimeter shooting – in the fourth quarter, seizing control and running away with a 99-88 victory over the high-powered Cavs.
After taking a seven-point edge at the end of the third quarter, the Magic poured it on in the final session. Mickael Pietrus kicked off an 20-2 run with a layup and Anthony Johnson and Rashard Lewis followed with back-to-back 3-pointers on the next two possessions as Orlando opened up a decisive advantage.
Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu and Jameer Nelson each connected from the arc later in the period and Nelson capped the spurt with a lay-in to extend the Magics lead to 99-74, all but putting the game on ice. Perhaps the fourth-quarter surge was merely a result of the good cheer felt around the clubhouse, as Lewis and Nelson were both named to the All-Star team earlier in the day.
It certainly showed in their respective performances in this one. Lewis scored 19 points and Nelson added 18, while superstar center Dwight Howard – who will join those two in Phoenix next weekend – paved the way with 22 points and 18 boards as the Magic won the first round of a possible playoff preview for the two Eastern Conference heavyweights.
The game was such a blowout that the Magic didnt score for the final 5:20 of play, but came away with a double-digit triumph nonetheless.
LeBron James carried the Cavaliers with 23 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, but shot just 10-of-27 from the floor.
SAN ANTONIO 114, PHOENIX 104
PHOENIX Manu Ginobili may finally be starting to round into shape. On Thursday night, his San Antonio Spurs needed all they could get from him.
The reigning Sixth Man of the Year – slowed all season by an ankle that required surgery this offseason – scored a season-high 30 points and put the Phoenix Suns away in the final minute en route to a 114-104 triumph.
Ginobili went 18-of-18 from the foul line, including five in the final 37 seconds.
Of course, he didnt hold off the Suns on his own. After the Spurs blew a 12-point lead late in the fourth quarter and Phoenix made it a one-possession game on Grant Hills three-point play, it was Tony Parker who came up biggest, burying a 22-footer to give San Antonio a bit of breathing room.
With 44 seconds remaining, Shaquille ONeal lost the ball down low in the Suns last, best chance to cut the lead back down – and Ginobili put the game away at the line.
Parker added 26 points on 12-of-21 shooting and Tim Duncan collected 20 points and 15 boards. The Suns, who have lost four of six, were led by Amare Stoudemires 28-point, 10-rebound effort.
Shaquille ONeal, who was named to his 15th All-Star Game earlier in the day, was limited to 13 points on 5-of-14 shooting.
