This season when the Orlando Magic have played team defense and used a balance attack on offense they’ve been pretty tough to beat.
Ryan Anderson’s 17 points lead the Magic to an easy 93-80 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers Friday night.
The Magic have won eight straight over the Cavs.
Orlando outscored Cleveland 55-40 in the first half behind great ball movement and a solid rotation on defense.
“This is when we can play the best and I think our defense really translated well on the offensive end,” Anderson said. “We got some easy buckets on the other end.”
Dwight Howard finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds, recording his 40th double double on the season.
All five Magic starters scored in double figures.
Antawn Jamison finished with a team high 16 points to go along with 9 rebounds and rookie sensation Kyrie Irving finished with 13 points.
With no true center to guard Howard, the Cavs had their hands full.
“He’s a walking 20-20 guy. We had our hands full,” Tristan Thompson said. “We tried to just limit his touches and make other guys score. Unfortunately they made a lot of 3s tonight.”
Orlando (31-18) will get the weekend off before playing in Toronto against the Raptors Monday night, tip off set for 7pm.