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Cavaliers try to keep third place within reach

Apr 5, 2008 - 1:39 PM Orlando (47-28) at Cleveland (42-34) 3:00 pm EDT

CLEVELAND (Ticker) - It may be a long shot, but the Cleveland Cavaliers can still improve their playoff position.

The Cavaliers need to get past the Orlando Magic on Saturday if they plan on moving into third place.

Cleveland (42-34) enters Saturday's contest in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, 5 1/2 games behind the Magic (47-28), with six games remaining in the regular season.

The Cavaliers haven't helped themselves lately, suffering their fourth defeat in the last six games during a 101-98 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Thursday. Superstar LeBron James scored 33 points and Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 23 and seven rebounds to lead Cleveland in the loss.

James, who is averaging 30 points, eight rebounds and 7.3 assists per game this season, is attempting to join Michael Jordan and Oscar Robertson as the only other players in NBA history to average 30 points, eight boards and eight helpers for an entire campaign.

Orlando has struggled of late as well, falling to 1-3 over its last four games with a 98-97 loss to the New Orleans Hornets on Tuesday.

Hedo Turkoglu scored 26 points and dished seven assists and All-Star Dwight Howard had 17 and 15 boards for Orlando, which has dropped four of its last six home games to New Orleans.