Can Orlando closeout Cleveland at home?

From sweaty t-shirts printed, to songs from Cold World and Non Phixion, the story is all the same – Refuse to Lose. That is what the Cleveland Cavaliers did at home and they live to play again in Game 6 in Orlando. The chief architect was a familiar face, LeBron James and while he deserves the king’s share of credit, he hardly did it by himself this time.

The focus on news outlets was James triple-double; however this time he had comrades in arms, who were ready to seize the moment. LeBron was also helped by the fact his coach Mike Brown, made adjustments prior to the game, which kept the Magic off-balance and could play into how long this Eastern Final continues.

Cleveland started the game with best ball movement of the series, having all five players on the floor involved and it paid immediate dividends with both Mo Williams and Delonte West making shots and restoring their confidence. Of course with Orlando, take nothing for granted and by halftime, the Cavaliers 17-point lead had melted faster than a Disney snow cone in June, with Cleveland up by just a single point after 24 minutes.

The third quarter was back and forth, with Orlando showing why they were 17-4 ATS playing as underdog coming into Game 5 and held slim one digit lead after three quarters.

With Cleveland 6-1 ATS in last seven games after breaking century mark in points, it was James will that did not allow his team to lose. After receiving much credit for guarding LeBron well, Orlando’s Mickael Pietrus more resembled Wally Szczerbiak trying to contain James. When LeBron needed to score he did, when he needed to find open shooter, he did and this time his teammates responded.

Coach Brown added a new offense wrinkle that widened the area James had at the top of the key, giving him more freedom to roam than a person wanting breakfast at dinner time at IHOP. This spacing prevented effective Orlando double-teams and set up Cleveland shooters to “walk into” shots in rhythm. Because of how effective this adjustment worked, coach Ron Jeremy, whoops, Stan Van Gundy will have to come up with an answer to counter, otherwise this series heads back to Cleveland.

The Cavaliers are 8-0 ATS in road games after failing to cover four of their last five contests against the spread since 2007, winning by almost six points a game (5.8). Coach Brown and James, have their fingers crossed the Cavs guards have rediscovered shooting touch and reserve Daniel Gibson can come off the bench and supply double digits again. Cleveland is a two-point underdog at DiamondSportsbook.com, with a total of 193, easily the highest of the series. The Cavs are 14-4 ATS after scoring 110 points or more and seemed resigned to the fact they have to outscore Orlando, rather than out-defend them.

This will be the Magic’s second opportunity in the postseason to clinch series at Amway Arena, having failed in same spot against Boston. Orlando is 10-1 ATS at home after a loss by 10 points or more and 14-2 against the spread in downtown Orlando after allowing 110 points or more two straight games. The Magic will have to bring sterner defense, as Cavs shot 50 percent from the field and the three-balls. Dwight Howard needs more than 10 attempts and he has to be more assertive on offensive glass then snagging three boards.

Rashard Lewis can’t be so passive and Rafer Alston can’t miss nine of 10 shots. Coach Van Gundy must talk about ball movement, since Orlando had as many assists (12) as LeBron did.

Game 6 should be fascinating on TNT starting at 8:35 Eastern and totals players; here is a sterling system to consider - Play OVER when the total is between 190 to 199.5 points in the sixth game of a playoff series. (22-4, 84.6 percent L13Y)

Cavs favored, but no lock for Game 2

The mind is a tricky thing and though you want to believe you can control how it works at all times, sometimes it will betray you against your better judgment. Take the Cleveland Cavaliers, in the first 24 minutes against Orlando of Game 1 of the Eastern Finals; they could have hardly played any better, finishing with a splendid crescendo, a 70-foot heave by Mo Williams giving the Cavs a 63-48 halftime lead.

Though every Cleveland player knew they still had two quarters of basketball to play, the two previous teams had played over the last month just caved in. Besides, the Cavaliers had lost just twice at Quicken Loans Arena all season and one hardly mattered being the last game of regular season in contest mostly played by reserves.

But this Orlando bunch has a little magic in them. They have been one of the best road teams in the NBA all season, as 32-17 and 31-18 ATS record proves. They have closed out two series in enemy territory, playing arguably their best game of the series in each case, showing their mettle.

Coach Stan Van Gundy must be a better salesman than believed. His game plan to stop LeBron James in the first half was to let him have medium range jump shots and all LeBron did was drain virtually every one in totaling 26 points. At halftime, he ripped into his Orlando team, for failure to execute and though many coaches would have had players rolling eyes, the Magic players listened and outscored Cleveland 30-19 in the third quarter and went on to steal Game 1.

Heading into Game 2, potential clues are in view to how the series could play out. Cavs coach Mike Brown acted as if he had Superman and let James hang on to the ball too long, with Cleveland players standing around watching LeBron and offense went stagnant. This carried over to defensive end, where Orlando shot 59 percent in the second half and had superior ball movement against the NBA’s best defense. Need proof, Orlando had 32 assists in 43 made baskets, Cleveland had nine fewer assists on same number of makes.

Another HUGE factor was the bench, the Magic held 25-5 edge, unless coach Brown can find answers, Cleveland might be in more trouble than many believed.

The Cavs are 14-2 ATS after one or more consecutive losses this season, winning by average of 13.2 points per game and understand this is must win. Cleveland found out you can’t win one on five, especially this time of year and a large slice of humble pie might bring back focus needed to play four quarters.

Cleveland can’t let Hedu Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis do whatever they please, like they did in opener. The tandem took turns ripping the heart out of Cleveland defense. Unless they are contained, no reason the Magic don’t go to 17-6 ATS as underdogs.

The oddsmakers at DiamondSportsbook.com have taken neutral stance, with Cleveland as nine-point home favorite and letting the public choose. They did make a severe adjustment on the total, moving four and half points to 188.5, which might suggest they believe the Magic could cover again. Orlando is 21-8 OVER after two straight games with 26 or more assists, which explains they tend to play free and easy when in offensive rhythm. Cleveland on the other hand is 11-2 UNDER after scoring 60 points or more in the first half last game and must not get caught up in trading baskets with Magic.

You have to wonder if Orlando’s non-traditional scheme messes with Cavs D, having won four of six outright in northern Ohio with six straight covers. In fact, the Magic are 10-1 ATS against Cleveland no matter where they play. Game 2 commences at 8:35 Eastern on TNT.