Orlando Magic Cleveland Cavaliers Game 6 Predictions
Written May 29, 2009 by Jason Lowry
The Cleveland Cavaliers championship hopes are still alive after an impressive 112-102 victory in game 5, but in order to for a game 7 the Cavs are going to have to win in Orlando this Saturday. LeBron James had another outstanding performance recording a triple-doube in game 5. James had 37 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists. The real story was the play of the rest of the team, as 4 other players scored in double figures. Mo Williams dropped in 24 points, and it was the first time a Cavs player not named LeBron James has scored 20 points in this series. Zydrunas Ilgauskas played just 27 minutes because of foul trouble, but still managed to score 16 points and grab 8 rebounds. Delonte West chipped in 13 points and Daniel Gibson came off the bench to score 11. The Magic were led by Hedo Turkoglu and Dwight Howard in game 5, as Turkoglu had a team best 29 points and Howard had 24 points and 10 rebounds. Rashard Lewis was a little off in game 5, shooting just 4-13 from the field and ending up with just 15 points. The Magic also got 13 points off the bench from Michael Pietrus. With the series headed back to Orlando, it is once again do or die for the Cavs in this series. Here is a look at what I think each team needs to do to win this game, plus my prediction on who comes out on top against the spread.
What the Cavaliers have to do to win: At this point I don’t think you even have to worry about LeBron James having a bad game in this series, as he has been incredible in all 5 games so far. The key will be if the rest of the team can hit the shots on the road and give this team the opportunity to have a shot to win this series at home. Williams by far had his best game of the series, and this team has a great shot at winning this game if he comes out and shoots the ball as well as he did in game 5. The Cavs shot 50% as a team in game 5, but can they play that good on the road? I think the Cavs need another big game from Ilgauskas and Gibson, as the Cavs need an inside presence and someone to come off the bench and give this team some scoring. Either way with James on the team the Cavs have a shot to win every single game they play, and I think game 6 comes right down to the wire. Bet the Cavaliers +2 to win game 6 at Sportsbook.com.
What the Magic have to do to win: The Magic once again came out flat on the road, but found a way to get back in the game. Good news for the Cavaliers in game 6 is Rafer Alston is averaging 22 points points at home, compared to just 6 points on the road. The Magic need Alston’s scoring in game 6, especially if Mo Williams has another big game for the Cavs. One thing the Magic have to do in game 6 is shoot better from the free throw line, as they shot just 68% and it wasn’t just Howard missing from the charity line. I think the big trio of Howard, Lewis, and Turkoglu have to show up in this game for the Magic to win, and I also think the Magic need both Michael Pietrus and Anthony Johnson to come off the bench and play well. The Magic have been so good defensively in this series, and they have to get back to that in game 6, as they can’t allow the Cavs to shoot 50% from the floor and expect to win. I think the game can go either way, its just a matter of who hits the big shots in the 4th quarter. Bet the Magic -2 to win game 6 at Sportsbook.com.
My Prediction: Magic -2. I am not completely sold on this pick, but I think you have to go with the home team in this situation regardless of the fact that the Cavs have LeBron James. I think the game all depends on if the Cavs not named James hit shots or not, if they do the Cavs likely win, if they don’t their season is likely over.
For those of you looking to some NBA betting on the game this Saturday, be sure to check out our expert NBA picks and grab the latest NBA odds at Betfirms.
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