Magic player to watch.
Dwight Howard: After rebelliously calling out his coach after Game 5 against Boston, he dominated Game 6 and was also a factor in the decisive Game 7, notably with his five blocked shots. For the series, he averaged 17.1 rebounds per game, and Cleveland must find away to keep Superman from soaring toward the boards.
Cavaliers player to watch.
LeBron James: He never ceases to amaze, even with his Monday practice shot from the right corner of the floor, behind the basket, which he swished. He is the MVP and clearly the anointed one heading into these conference finals. Against Orlando, he’ll get his points, for sure, but can he keep tallying those assists at a high level? He’ll need to do so to make sure his supporting players are contributing.
Factoid.
The Cavaliers are shooting 47.3 percent from the field, which is better than every playoff team except, yep, the Nuggets (50.3).
Bottom line Orlando.
It’s arguable that, on paper, the Magic has a better unit than the Cavaliers. Orlando can shoot the 3-pointer, it obviously has an inside threat and it has a sturdier bench. But without home-court advantage, it must find a way from keeping James from taking over a game — not just getting his numbers, but taking over a game. And it’s hard to believe Orlando has that defender on its roster. But, if anything, it has TNT’s Charles Barkley on its side. He predicted Orlando would beat Cleveland, which sparked sidekick Chris Webber to ask, “In basketball?”
Bottom line Cleveland.
The No. 1 seed must continue to play its ballhawking defense against a team that can change the course of the game with its 3-ball — just ask the Nuggets, who were buried one night by the Magic’s 3s. The Cavs will need gritty post Anderson Varejao to provide intense rebounding to fend off Howard’s inside power. And LeBron must ascend — he can’t have a bad night in this series.
The Post’s pick.
Cavs in six.
Benjamin Hochman, The Denver Post
