Cavs vs. Magic: An Exercise in Post-Deadline Futility

Coming off of a big win versus the Hornets on ESPN (at least as big as a win can be between two teams with a combined 36-74 record), the Cavaliers face off against the Orlando Magic tonight. If the Cavs don't come to play tonight, this game has potential to be totally unwatchable.

Who? Cleveland Cavaliers (17-37) at Orlando Magic (15-40)

When? 7:00 P.M. Eastern

Where? Amway Center -- Orlando, FL

Where on my eyeballs? Fox Sports Ohio / NBA League Pass (do you really think anyone is putting this on national TV?)

Tickets? Cleveland Cavaliers' Tickets

Music?

Insane Clown Posse - Miracles (via PsychopathicVideo)

Why Should You Watch? Lots of new player fun. The Magic should have the services of Beno Udrih, Tobias Harris (one of my personal favorites), and Doron Lamb for the first time after being acquired in the trade that sent J.J. Redick to the Bucks. Also, Kyrie Irving is playing and I don't see any circumstance where he doesn't absolutely annihilate whoever the Magic's point guard is tonight (Jameer Nelson is day-to-day with a knee strain). This is a good opportunity for a Cavalier win here, as the Magic are playing their fourth game in five nights.

Who Even Plays For The Magic Anymore? The person I'm most looking forward to watching is Nikola Vucevic. Vucevic has averaged 14.4 points and 12.9 rebounds per game over the last two months. He's actually a pretty solid piece for the Magic moving forward. Also, as I mentioned earlier, I'm interested to see where Harris fits in on this Magic team. Harris seems pretty redundant to Maurice Harkless on this roster, but I think he can be another solid piece going forward. Finally, Andrew Nicholson has been one of the best rookies in the league when he's been on the floor. I'm very much looking forward to seeing a Nicholson-Tristan Thompson matchup tonight. Nicholson can step away from the hoop a little bit, so Thompson's ability to guard in space will be put to the test.

Did One Of Orlando's Players Recently Get Suspended For Steroid Use? Why yes, of course they did! Hedo Turkoglu was suspended 20 games for use of methenolone, which is found in pregnant domesticated felines. Just figured I'd mention this.

Key Matchup? Can Tyler Zeller keep Nikola Vucevic off the boards? If he's unable to do so, that could keep this probably tired Magic team in the game.

Other Notes? -Harkless, Arron Afflalo, and E'Twaun Moore all played 39+ minutes last night, so exhaustion could be an issue with these three.

-Glen Davis is still out. I know everyone is very disappointed that Big Baby doesn't get to turn it up:

Big Baby Gon' Turn It Up (via Can Pelister)

-In his last 20 games, Dion Waiters is shooting 45.1% from the field, and his percentage at the rim is regressing back closer to league average. If he can keep that up we'll keep seeing the efficient shooting guard that was recently ranked the fifth best rookie in David Thorpe's rankings on ESPN.

-Daniel Gibson will miss this game due to a personal matter, according to Marc Spears of Yahoo!.

Fear The Sword's Fearless Prediction: The Cavaliers come to play and defeat the weary Magic. Waiters continues to run well, scoring 22 points on 8/15 from the field, and Irving scores 25 himself. It's an ugly game, but ultimately the Cavaliers win 101-89.