Cavs try to end skid against Magic

Basketball Betting Lines

02/21/2010 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cleveland Cavaliers will try to avoid losing their third straight game when they close out a quick road trip Sunday afternoon against the Orlando Magic at Amway Arena.

The Central Division-leading Cavaliers have lost two in a row since a season- high 13-game winning streak and suffered a 110-93 setback in Charlotte Friday night. NBA leading scorer LeBron James ended with 22 points and nine assists, while Delonte West netted 13 points off the bench for the Cavaliers, whose winning streak was cut short in Thursday's loss versus Denver.

"We didn't show any intensity, offensively or defensively, and they're just a tough team for us to cover in this regular season thus far, four games," James said. "They've played well against us. They have our number this year."

Cleveland is 19-9 away from home this season and still owns the best winning percentage in the league with an overall mark of 43-13. The Los Angeles Lakers are right behind at 42-14.

Orlando, meanwhile, has dropped two of three games and is coming off Friday's 95-85 setback versus the Dallas Mavericks in which Dwight Howard ended with 29 points and 16 rebounds in a losing cause.

Vince Carter and Jameer Nelson each recorded 16 points, while Rashard Lewis posted 12 in defeat.

"We got a lead tonight. We just got to do a better job in the second half of games which is closing teams out," Howard said. "We just got to continue to play and get better. I think we're going to be a better team come playoff time."

The Southeast Division-leading Magic are 1-1 on a three-game homestand and 21-6 in central Florida this season. They sit just 1 1/2 games ahead of Atlanta in the division standings.

Cleveland has won the first two matchups of the season with Orlando, but has lost six of 10 and 13 of its last 18 contests at the Magic. The Cavs will then host Orlando on April 11 at Quicken Loans Arena.

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Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson

JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.

Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.

MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .

''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''

Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.

He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.

''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''

Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.

Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.

With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.

Additional basbeall odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

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