Orlando Hangs On In Overtime To Take Game Four, Go Up 3-1
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
The Magic were up eight with two minutes left, when they decided to continually jack threes during the last minute, while Lebron and the Cavs took it to the hole and hit free throws to take a one point lead. With 6.4 seconds left, Rashard Lewis hit a three to take the lead back, but after a controversial call with Lebron driving to the basket and two free throws from the Cav, the score was once again tied with .5 to go. The Magic tried a lob to Howard, who was basically fallen on top of by Varejao, and the game went to overtime.
In the extra period, Howard dunked all over the Cavs early and free throws helped them close it out. It didn't come without a scare or two though. Here are the highlights if you missed them...
This was obviously the biggest game of the series, and the Magic are actually on the verge of shocking the world and closing this thing out. All you TV execs and advertisers can start getting your resumes together. As far as the refs are concerned, they obviously blew some key calls in this one. Lebron got a foul call while falling down in regulation, and the subsequent Varejao tackling of Howard wasn't even close to being whistled. The league would normally receive some flak tomorrow, but with the Magic closing out in OT, it will all get swept under the rug.
7 Comments:
The Varejao tangle up was one thing in terms of the wrong call but LeBron falling into P was ridiculous. You're wrong about their feet getting tangled up and LeBron simply just falls forward. If the Cleveland LeBron's had gone on to win that game, I'd write my congressman over that call.
I can't figure out what was more unlikely: a 3-1 Orlando lead over Cleveland or an AwfulAnnouncing Twitter account (not created by AA Hates ESPN)...
Thanks Antoine,
Of course you are right. It's stupid that Magic fans were screaming for the foul to be on Varejao when Howard pulled him down. Of course, in overtime, the better team prevailed and the Magic will move on to the Finals. I sincerely hope the Nuggets join them. Screw you Stern.
Cavs in 7. I love it. As usual everybody follows the herd and jumps all over Lebron and Co but it's time to thrive on the adversity.
If they can pull out a game in Orlando they will win 2 games at home, the next one by 10 - 15.
"the subsequent Varejao tackling of Howard wasn't even close to being whistled"
Is that supposed to be a joke? In what way was he TACKLING him. Wow. Varejao had inside position and was sealing him off and Howard pulled his arm down to elevate. It was a good no call. TACKLING? Wow. Just wow.
The NBA isn't receiving flak because both of those plays were called correctly. People need to stop worrying about officiating so much. Howard pulled Varejao into him to try to create a foul, and Pietrus was out of position on that lebron foul and ended up tangling feet with him. These refs don't get the opportunity to go back and look at these plays in slow-motion.