Throughout my seldom following of the NBA, there was on thing I was certain of this season; the Cleveland Cavaliers were the most dominant team. Then why now, when they are so close to getting their first title of the franchise's 39-year history, are they starting to show weakness? Yes, the Orlando Magic are tough and had a 1-2 regular season record against the NBA-best 66-16 Cavs, but the Cavs have looked nothing like the regular season or last postseason.
Last year in the Eastern Conference Semifinals the Cavaliers took on the then NBA-regular-season best and eventual NBA Champion Boston Celtics and took the series to game 7. They did fall to an early 0-2 deficit in the series, but managed to win 3 home games.
One common denominator in all of this is road games. Last year in the semifinals against the Celtics, the Cavs lost all of the games on the road. During the regular season this year the Cavs two losses against the Magic came on the road. And in this series the Cavs have lost both games in Orlando.
Another in this series is Dwight Howard. In all of the Magic's wins, Howard has scored at least 20 points. Yes, Rashard Lewis has played a large roll in the series, but how can the team's most dominant player continue to play at such a level? The Cavs, and the league, knows what Howard is capable of.
All but game 3 have been decided by two or fewer points. The Cavs can win this series, but it won't be easy. The good news is they have more home games than road. The bad news - they have to win that one road game.
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