Cleveland Cavaliers Recover From Four-Game Losing Streak, Trounce Orlando Magic, 106-74
Just hours after LeBron James admitted much of the blame in the disappointing start to the season of the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team comes roaring back with a rout of the Orlando Magic Monday night clicking on both the offensive and defensive side of the floor, 106-74.
The four-time MVP led the charge for the home team which was able to rest its starters early and booked just its sixth win in 13 games, snapping a four-game losing streak. James posted 29 points, 4 rebounds and 11 assist in just 31 minutes for the winning side while displaying a different spring in his step and a kind of determination that can infect his teammates. Anderson Varejao contributed 14 markers while Kevin Love added 12 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists in the rebound win.
Earlier in the day, James was critical of his play as he said that "stinks" for much of the 5-7 start of the Cavaliers according to the report made by USA Today. He stressed that if he is not doing his job, his teammates will follow suit and will hang their heads in frustration as well. In the Magic game, the two-time NBA champion was all heads-up which did not come as a surprise to coach David Blatt.
''His influence is widespread,'' Blatt said per Yahoo Sports. ''The things that he does and the way he plays the game and the impact he has on those around him is consequential in every respect. He can impact in every way. He did that and obviously everyone followed.''
The Magic tried to hang in with the Cavaliers but the game was out of reach by the end of the third as the score reached 81-58. The Big Three got a lot of rest early as James was not fielded in for the final quarter and Love and Kyrie Irving just recorded 32 and 31 minutes respectively. Nikola Vucevic continued his strong play for the rebuilding Magic by posting 18 points and 13 rebound while 2014 NBA Rookie of the Year Victor Oladipo had another strong game after a few games back from injury with 22 points and 9 rebounds. The Cavaliers will continue their NBA campaign on Wednesday against the Washington Wizards while the Magic will travel back home to face the Golden State Warriors.