After sitting around for the second time in these playoffs, the series-sweeping Cleveland Cavaliers, who broomed Detroit and Atlanta into early summer vacations, are expecting a much stiffer challenge from the Orlando Magic.
Orlando won both of their matchups at home against Cleveland during the regular season, including a 116-87 thrashing on April 3.
Cleveland has lost just once since that mauling by the Magic, and that setback came in overtime in the April 15 season finale against Philadelphia.
For the opener tonight, Stan Van Gundy will return rookie guard Courtney Lee to the starting lineup, replacing J.J. Redick.
The Magic, averaging 96.1 points in the postseason, shot 54 percent in the April 3 win over Cleveland, making 13 of 27 three-pointers.
In three games against Orlando this year, LeBron James averaged 30.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 7.0 assists.
The Cavs enter tonight's matchup as 9-point home favorites. Get your NBA play off odds.
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