Final Score: Cavaliers survive late scare, beat Magic 105-99

Most of this game was a beatdown. The Cavs took control early in this game, and built a huge lead early in the 1st half that they maintained into the fourth quarter. With 62 first half points, the Cavs offense was fully functional. LeBron James was handing out dimes, Kevin Love was assertive, and Kyrie Irving was scoring at all three levels. And if the Cavs missed, Tristan Thompson tended to be there.

I’m sure coach Tyronn Lue will say the Cavs lost focus, that they played with less intensity in the second half. There’s some evidence of this. At one point in the third quarter LeBron James took an early-in-the-shot-clock 33 foot three point shot. After an offensive rebound, he took a 28 footer.

But this was mostly just the Cavs missing good looks. Despite consistently getting open looks, they shot just 11-37 from three point range. Mike Dunleavy in particular seems to be getting used to passes from LeBron, and trying to find his proper place in the offense. The Cavs were playing on second night of a back-to-back, and are missing Channing Frye. They used an eight-man rotation in Toronto.

Kyrie Irving led the Cavs in scoring for much of the night, though it wasn’t as efficient of a night for him after the first half. He had 20 points on 18 shots, two assists and a turnover. LeBron James ended up catching him and tallied 23 points, nine assists and just two turnovers. Kevin Love contributed 19 points.

The Cavs may not have won this if not for some well-time J.R. Smith three pointers. He had four total, and the Cavs ended up needing them.

The Cavs improved to 3-0 with the 105-99 win, and now get a couple days off to regroup. See you tomorrow.