Cleveland wins series easily....

[actionsportscentral]

I just made a major bet on Cleveland last night to win the series at -260. They will have no problem with Orlando, despite what happened in game 1. Cleveland got the slap in the face they needed. They got lazy running out on 3 point shooters and next thing they knew, the game was close. They then didn't have the energy to get it done at the end.

They know now to be focused and not relax - put the hammer down. All they have to do to beat Orlando is go one-on-one with Howard and let him throw up bricks under the basket. Cleveland is the best rebounding team in the league, and if they stay at home on Lewis, Turkoglu, etc. they'll be fine. Nobody on Orlando can keep LeBron away from the rim either - unless Howard wants to accumulate a bunch of fouls.

People don't appreciate yet that Cleveland is head and shoulders above the rest of the league - particularly where it matters most - rebounding and defense.

I actually think Cleveland might win the next 4 games straight - but even if they don't, they'll win the series easily.

And do we really think LeBron is going to let the MAGIC knock him out of the playoffs? (Or David Stern and the refs for that matter) We were all fooled a little with how Orlando played against a depleted Celtics team. This team is good - but TOTALLY reliant on the 3-ball. Eventually they'll miss some - particularly if Cleveland defenses them as they can.

My 2 cents....

[actionsportscentral]

1st half in game 1 (2-for-8)
2nd half in game 2 (7-for-12)