Cavs beat Magic despite sloppy second half

The Cavaliers took the court Saturday night as the second-most important team in Cleveland. While most eyes were on the Indians in the quest for a World Series title, the Cavaliers extended their winning streak against the Magic to 15 games. Despite bolting out to a 17-point halftime lead, however, the win did not come easily. Ultimately, the Cavaliers hung on to win 105-99.

Having scored 62 points in the first half, the Cavaliers’ offense faltered in the second half. Struggling to score in the 4th quarter, JR Smith came to the rescue. After the Magic cut the Cavalier lead to 3 at 88-85, Smith delivered his spark. Smith hit triples on back-to-back Cavalier offensive possesions that saw the Cavaliers take a 94-88 lead with 2:17 left to play. The Magic cut the lead to 98-95 with under a minute to play, but Smith hit yet another three-pointer–his fourth of the game–with :31.5 to play to ice the game for the Cavaliers.

Here are a few random scribbles from the game:

1. For the third consecutive game, Kyrie Irving has lead the Cavaliers in shots taken. Through three games, Irving has tallied 63 shot attempts, while Kevin Love has tallied 47 and LeBron James has tallied 46. James does not seem to mind this change of arrangements. Perhaps James is even facilitating it–James is averaging 10 assists through three games, many of which have come to Irving.
2. In the second night of a back-to-back, Coach Lue made a conscientious effort to limit his starters’ minutes in this one. James lead the Cavaliers in minutes played with 31. The Cavaliers’ bench combined for 25 points, which will be enough for them to win on most nights.
3. Kay Felder made his NBA debut after missing the first two games of the season while in the NBA’s concussion protocol. Felder only tallied 5 minutes, but looked good during limited time. Felder demonstrated good court vision, finding Kevin Love on a cross-court pass that resulted in an open jumper. He also slashed to the basket and scored his first NBA basket at the first quarter buzzer.
4. Although Felder looked good in his debut, his lack of minutes might be an indication of a lack of confidence as the go-to guy as a backup at the point guard position. Felder’s lack of minutes may have been due to his recovery from his concussion, but in a game that the Cavaliers were leading by 17 at halftime, it is puzzling that Felder never saw the floor in the second half.
5. Even with Lue limiting his starters’ minutes, Jordan McRae did not play for the Cavaliers. McRae’s DNP may have to do with his name circulating in trade talks. According to a report by AmicoHoops.net, the Cavaliers have found a taker for McRae and Mo Williams and are expected to pull the trigger on the deal in the near future.

The Cavaliers have Sunday and Monday off before welcoming James Harden and the Houston Rockets Tuesday night at Quicken Loans Arena.