No ifs, ands or buts, the Cleveland Cavaliers have their work cut out for themselves against the Orlando Magic.
Only eight teams (8-of-190) have been able to come back from a 3-1 deficit in a best-of-seven National Basketball Association (NBA) playoff series.
The Cavs have a golden opportunity to make it nine, and it has to start at Quicken Loans Arena tonight.
I will be there, and I will be a witness. (I guess everyone who sees LeBron James play in person is a witness.)
My gut feeling is James and Company will somehow prevail and advance to the NBA finals.
Hey, Cleveland has James on its team, and when the league MVP gets going, just about anything is possible. He did after all make that buzzer-beating three in Game 2, didn't he?
When James made that shot, it reminded me so much of what Michael Jordan did to the Cavaliers many years ago.
James' game-winner was so sweet.
Just think how sweet it'll be if the Cavs can rally against the Magic.
To be honest with you, I thought James' last-second 3-attempt from halfcourt in Game 4 in Orlando was also going in. If it had, that would've evened the series at 2-all. But...wishful thinking, I guess.
Here's something to think about.
During the 2003 NBA playoffs, the Orlando Magic were up 3-1 on the heavily favored Detroit Pistons, and...well they blew it. They lost three straight.
It can happen again.
A win tonight by the Cavs, and the momentum swings back to them. That's all they need is a little 'mo' to turn this series around.
It won't be easy, of course, because Orlando's Dwight Howard (a.k.a. Superman) is a terrific pivot player. If the Magic wins this series, he's the reason why.
If I can pretend to coach, why can't the Cavaliers give the Magic a taste of their own medicine so to speak? When James has posted low, he's drawn all kinds of attention. And that usually leaves someone open on the perimeter.
Orlando's been doing this all series long with Howard and with great success. He gets double-covered, and he passes to a teammate for a wide-open three.
Cleveland should be able to do that, too, because James is a great passer, and the Cavs have got some good outside shooters.
Problem is, too many Cavaliers, including James, like to dribble. There just hasn't been a whole lot of ball movement.
Another thing I'd like to suggest to Cleveland head coach Mike Brown: Give James a little more bench rest than he had in Game 4 when he had hardly any. Even 24-year-olds occasionally get tired, y'know.
This season, Cleveland is 44-3 at home. So don't count the Cavs out - ever.
I'm not.
You shouldn't, either.
Ron Johnston is the Marietta Times sports editor, and can be reached at 376-5441, or at rjohnston@mariettatimes.com
