Final
Magic hope to end 11-game losing streak, visit Cleveland
Feb 8, 2013 - 3:52 PM (Sports Network) - The Orlando Magic might catch a break when they visit the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight at Quicken Loans Arena.Mired in a season-high 11-game losing streak, the Magic have defeated the Cavaliers 10 straight times and are 16-4 in the past 20 meetings. Orlando, losers of seven in a row on the road, are unbeaten in four straight trips to the Forest City.
The losing ways continued for the Magic in a 86-76 loss versus the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday as Jameer Nelson led the way with 18 points and Nikola Vucevic recorded a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds.
"It's tough for us right now," Nelson said of the skid. "It's something that we have to stick together through and get out of together."
Orlando was again without Arron Afflalo (personal/calf), J.J. Redick (shoulder) and Glen Davis (foot). Afflalo, who leads the team with 16.7 ppg, is probable for Friday's game and Redick is listed as questionable.
After visiting the Cavs, Orlando, which is 6-18 on the road, returns home for three straight games at Amway Center.
Cleveland will continue a seven-game homestand and is 2-0 on the residency after wins over Oklahoma City and Charlotte.
In Wednesday's 122-95 blowout of the Bobcats, Kyrie Irving scored a game-high 22 points and rookie Dion Waiters added 19 for the Cavs, who have won five of seven games overall and are 8-13 at the Q this season. The Cavs scored a season-high 65 first-half points and had a 65-41 halftime lead.
"We're making steps in the right direction," said Irving. "We have the different pieces that we've added and we're getting better every single game."
Tristan Thompson contributed 17 points and nine rebounds in the win.
The Cavaliers are 5-1 in their last six games against teams from the East and are averaging 106.6 ppg in the previous six as the host. Irving has been a catalyst for the recent success, averaging 25.6 ppg since early January.
Cleveland forward Marreese Speights, acquired in a deal with Memphis, has recorded as least 10 points and five rebounds in each of his first six games with the Cavs. Speights finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds off the bench in the win over Charlotte.
The Cavs' reserves are averaging 48.7 points over the last three games.
Still scheduled to visit Cleveland on the homestand are the Nuggets, Timberwolves, Spurs and Hornets.
- ORLANDO: 108
CLEVELAND: 119
Final
Feb 8 9:55 PM - ORLANDO: 80
CLEVELAND: 85
End of 3rd
Feb 8 9:20 PM - ORLANDO: 56
CLEVELAND: 56
Halftime
Feb 8 8:37 PM - ORLANDO: 24
CLEVELAND: 24
End of 1st
Feb 8 8:03 PM - ORLANDO: 0
CLEVELAND: 0
1st Quarter - 11:36
Feb 8 7:42 PM
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