MAGIC SWEEP BOBCATS

 

(Image taken from NBA.com)

In the East, the Magic vs Bobcats series looked to be one of the more straightforward series out there from the start of the 2010 NBA Playoffs. The series opened in Orlando with the Magic winning Game 1 98-89. Game 2 saw Dwight Howard get into foul trouble but it would take more than that to take down the Magic who won 92-77. For Game 3 the series switched to Charlotte where the Bobcats were able to step things up. Still though, the Magic won 90-86. And so, onwards with Game 4 and the Bobcats had their back against the wall. The Magic were expecting a tough rumble though but they were ready for it. A sweep in the early rounds doesn't do any winning side harm.

Amazingly the first two minutes of this game were completely scoreless. It was the Magic who eventually opened the scoring. They went on to dominate the early stages with the Bobcats slow to respond to this initial offence. The Magic's lead went on to stretch to 21-10 with 4:31 left in the quarter. It was only then that the Bobcats started to wake up. They didn't turn the game round immediately but they were able to force the Magic into a drought. That drought lasted over two and a half minutes and though the Magic initially recovered, a three pointer from guard Raymond Felton at the buzzer game the Bobcats a 25-23 lead at the end of the quarter and Felton 8 points.

The start to the second quarter was slightly more lively and the Bobcats extended their lead only for the Magic to come back and tie the game. The Bobcats replied by retaking the lead and though the two sides duelled with the Magic tying the game again briefly, it was looking as though the home side wouldn't be caught. After what happened in the 1st quarter though, it was the Magic's turn to hold their opponents scoreless for over two minutes and the game was back on. Again the Magic tied the game. The Bobcats replied with a free throw. The Magic took a 43-42 lead with 1:39 left in the half only for the Bobcats to revive before the buzzer and lead 45-43 at half time, Tyrus Thomas coming off the bench to join Felton on 8 points.

Well the Bobcats opened the scoring in the 3rd quarter to lead 47-43 with 10:48 left on the clock but then the Magic found their range from three point land and turned the game round. This time around, the Bobcats had no response and the number 2 seed looked to be getting out their brooms. The Bobcats were able to tread water for a while which meant that another comeback was still on the cards but certainly not any time soon. For now, this finally looked to be the Magic's night yet again. They led 71-68 at the buzzer with Rashard Lewis helping himself to 16 points. Suddenly the Bobcats found themselves 12 minutes from elimination.

The Bobcats continued to try and make a match of it in the early stages of the 4th quarter but didn't look like having a serious chance to turn the game around. The match was left scoreless for two minutes after that only for the Bobcats to cut the deficit to one with 7:01 left in the match. They were going to need to do better than that though and the Magic were able to stretch their lead into double figures before the Bobcats even looked like slowing them down again. The game was pretty much over by that point though. Vince Carter did the business again to lead his team with 21 points. The Magic won the game 99-90 and the series 4-0 - the first time the Magic have ever swept a playoff series since the franchise started up in 1989! They're the first team to make the Conference semi finals.

Elsewhere, the Cavs beat the Bulls 121-98 in Chicago with Luol pretty much being smothered. Cavs lead that series 3-1 and will surely wrap it up in Cleveland. The Bucks beat the Hawks 111-104 in Milwaukee to level that series 2-2 and the teams head back to Atlanta for what is effectively the start of a three game series. The Heat beat the Celtics 101-92 in Miami. The Celtics still lead that series 3-1 though and will probably finish their opponents off in Boston. Overall, the Eastern Conference picture looks like it's in the process of wrapping itself up though the Celtics-Heat series in particular has proven to be a lot smoother than expected.

Out West, the Thunder beat the Lakers 110-89 in Oklamhoma City, levelling the series 2-2 and forcing the defending champions to come up with a response in LA for Game 5. The Spurs beat the Mavs 92-89 in San Antonio to lead the series 3-1 and now the Mavs return to Dallas with their backs against the wall. The Blazers beat the Suns 96-87 in Portland to level that series 2-2 after four games and make the series a three gamer. The Jazz beat the Nuggets 117-106 in Utah to lead that series 3-1. That puts the Nuggets with their backs against the wall heading back to Denver for Game 5 and Carmelo Anthony and crew can't have been expecting that when the series started.

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