Cavs End Three-Game Slide

The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the host Orlando Magic, 116-104, at Amway
Center on Saturday evening. The Magic (24-43) started out strong and owned a
one-point advantage after the first quarter. However, LeBron James and the Cavs
(43-21) were not about to drop their fourth straight, as they came back strong
in the second, to take a 59-51 lead into half time. The teams tied the third
quarter, before the Cavs pulled further away in the fourth. LeBron James notched
a triple-double, as he led the way for the Cavs with 24 points on 8-of-14
shooting, 13 assists and 12 rebounds, in 38 minutes. Six other players scored in
double digits in Cleveland’s well-rounded attack, including Kyrie Irving, who
poured in 22 points and Iman Shumpert, with15 points. Channing Frye, Deron
Williams and J.R. Smith all scored in double figures off the bench. The Cavs
needed this win to end their three-game losing streak. They will look to begin a
winning streak, as they face the second game of a back-to-back, in Houston on
Sunday. Meanwhile, Nikola Vucevic led the way for the Magic, with 20 points on
9-of-20 shooting, to go along with 16 rebounds, in 28 minutes, in his first game
back after missing four games due to injury. Aaron Gordon chipped in 16 points
and Evan Fournier added 15 points, while Terrence Ross was the only other player
to score in double digits, as he added 10. This is the Magic’s second straight
loss. They will look to bounce back, when they visit Sacramento to take on the
Kings on Monday.