Game 2 Orlando Magic - Cleveland Caviliers

	1	2	3	4	T
ORL (9-6)	16	28	25	26	95
CLE (9-1)	30	26	19	21	96

CLEVELAND -- Michael Jordan no longer has the most famous buzzer-beater in Cleveland sports history.

The Shot has been topped.

2009 NBA Playoffs

• Cavs-Magic page

LeBron James made one better.James dropped a 3-pointer from the top of the key over Orlando's Hedo Turkoglu as the final horn sounded Friday night to give the Cavaliers, their season a heartbeat from major trouble, a 96-95 victory over the Magic that evened the Eastern Conference finals at one game apiece.From 23 feet -- matching his jersey number and Jordan's -- James hit a shot that will go down as one of the defining moments in a career that's just hitting its stride."That guy is not in the league any more," James said of Jordan. "The other 23 is on the good side now."

Fast Facts

• The Cavaliers evened the series at a game apiece, improving to 9-1 in the 2009 playoffs.

• LeBron James hit the game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer and finished with 35 points. James now has 27 career 30-point playoff games, the most in the NBA since he made his playoff debut in 2006.

• Cleveland has won eight of its last nine home playoff games and are 44-3 at home this season overall.

• James became the third player in NBA playoff history to compile at least 300 points, 80 rebounds and 60 assists in the first 10 games of a single postseason (he has now done this twice).

• The loss snapped a two-game road win streak for the Magic dating back to last series.

• Dwight Howard had 10 points and 18 rebounds for Orlando, his 15th straight playoff double-double.

-- ESPN Stats & Information

Taking the inbounds pass from Mo Williams, James only had time to turn his shoulders toward the rim and fire. As the high-arcing shot dropped through, James sprinted into the arms of his delirious teammates as 20,562 stunned fans hugged in disbelief."You couldn't hear anything but a roar," James said. "Those fans deserved it. That was the biggest shot I've made in my career."In the past, this was the kind of shot that happened against the Cavs. Jordan's jumper in 1989 over Craig Ehlo eliminated Cleveland from the playoffs -- a punch-in-the-stomach moment burned into the psyche of every Cleveland fan.Well, James is changing everything around here.Game 3 is Sunday night in Orlando, where the Magic beat the Cavaliers twice this season and thumped them by 29 points on April 3.One second before James' shot, Turkoglu hit a 12-footer in the lane to give the Magic, who overcame a 23-point deficit in the first half, a 95-93 lead. Cleveland called a timeout and set up a play for James, the league's MVP who finished with 35 points.James darted toward the basket to get some room on Turkoglu and cut back near the top of the circle before letting loose with the shot of his life. After seeing James' only 3-pointer of the game fall, Williams dropped to his knees and pounded the floor with his right hand as Quicken Loans Arena shook to its core."I was punch drunk," Williams said. "I was stuck. I couldn't move."Officials looked at the replay to make sure it should count.

It couldn There was no doubt."We jus't afford to go down 0-2," James said. "That's just a great shot. Now we have to get ready for Game 3. There's a lot to clean up."Rashard Lewis scored 23 points and Turkoglu had 21 for the Magic. Dwight Howard scored 10 -- 20 below his Game 1 performance -- and added 18 rebounds.Williams had 19 points and Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 12 points and 15 rebounds for Cleveland."Wow. I seen it before, Hedo has hit big shot after big shot in the regular season and I had to match him shot for shot," James said. "Rashard Lewis hit the game-winner in Game 1 and I matched it in Game 2."I knew it was good," James said of his shot, "but you never know. The camera never lies and they had to go check it out."Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy was upset with his decision to guard James on the last play."That one obviously hurts quite a bit," he said. "I'd like to have that last one back from a coaching standpoint," he said. "I should have defended it differently. It's crushing enough to lose as a coach, but when you feel like you're the guy who could've made the difference, it hurts a lot more."I just want to win and we should have won."Like the hand powder James famously blows above his head before every game, Cleveland's season was on the verge of disappearing into thin air.Their offense out of whack and their defense not up to its usual standards, the Cavaliers let the Magic overcome a huge deficit for the second straight game.Turkoglu's 3-pointer with 48.7 seconds left had tied it 93-93, and the Cavs appeared to take the lead on James' left-handed layup over Howard. But he was called for traveling, one of several calls that could have gone either way in a second half filled with whistles."That walk -- great call by the refs," James said, "glad I had a chance to redeem myself."Turkoglu's shot over Sasha Pavlovic, who gave the Cavs a lift off the bench with nine points, had Cleveland fans reliving all those moments of sports heartbreak -- Jordan's Shot, John Elway's Drive, The Fumble -- that have led to the city's 45-year championship drought.James, though, the kid from down the Interstate in nearby Akron, restored their confidence that this might finally be Cleveland's season.Down by 23 in the second quarter the Magic were within 12 at halftime.By the end of the third they had cut it to six, and when Lewis backed down Delonte West and scored on a short jumper with 6:12 left, Orlando had tied it at 84-all.The Cavaliers' offense wasn't particularly efficient, but it was effective. Their defense was spectacular.Unlike Game 1, the Magic struggled to get the ball deep in the lane to Howard. And when the All-Star center did touch it near the basket, he had a man between himself and the rim and sometimes two other Cleveland defenders pestering him from behind.Game notes
The officials missed what should have been a technical foul on Williams in the first quarter for throwing the ball at Howard's back. ... Before the game, James was asked if he could guard Howard. "No," he said. "I did a couple times at practice with the USA (Olympic) Team. It didn't work out too well for me. I tried to use my strength and it didn't work out." ... An elderly man was taken for medical treatment after Williams crashed into him while chasing a loose ball. As the fan was being transported from the floor in a wheelchair, Williams came over and put his arm around him. The man was back in his seat after halftime.

Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James (23) makes a 3-point shot over Orlando Magic's Hedo Turkoglu (15), from Turkey, as time expired to give the Cavaliers a 96-95 win in Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals Friday, May 22, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard (12), Rafer Alston (1) and Cleveland Cavaliers' Delonte West (13) watch LeBron James' 3-point shot go through the basket as time expires to give the Cavaliers a 96-95 win in Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals Friday, May 22, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Pool, Jeff Haynes)

Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James (23) shoots against Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard (12) in the second half of Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals Friday, May 22, 2009, in Cleveland. James' 3-point shot as time expired gave the Cavaliers a 96-95 win to even the best-of-seven series at 1-1. (AP Photo/Jeff Haynes, Pool)

Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James, right, hugs his mother, Gloria, after a 96-95 win over the Orlando Magic in Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals Friday, May 22, 2009, in Cleveland. James' 3-point shot as time expired won the game to even the series at 1-1. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard walks off the floor after a 96-95 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals Friday, May 22, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James embraces Ben Wallace (4) after a 96-95 win over the Orlando Magic in Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals Friday, May 22, 2009, in Cleveland. James' 3-point shot as time expired won the game. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James (23) makes a 3-point shot over Orlando Magic's Hedo Turkoglu (15), from Turkey, as time expired to give the Cavaliers a 96-95 win in Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals Friday, May 22, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James, left, is hugged by Sasha Pavlovic after James' 3-point shot beat the Orlando Magic 96-95 as time expired in Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals Friday, May 22, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James (23) celebrates after his 3-point shot at the buzzer beat the Orlando Magic 96-95 in Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals Friday, May 22, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Orlando Magic's Rafer Alston (1) drives the baseline against Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James (23) in the second quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals Friday, May 22, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Cleveland Cavaliers' Mo Williams (2) passes from the floor in front of Orlando Magic's Courtney Lee, left, in the fourth quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals Friday, May 22, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Orlando Magic's Marcin Gortat (13), from Poland, fouls Cleveland Cavaliers' Sasha Pavlovic (3) from Serbia, in the fourth quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals Friday, May 22, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Pool, Jeff Haynes)

Cleveland Cavaliers' Anderson Varejao (17) from Brazil, and Orlando Magic's Marcin Gortat, from Poland, battle under the basket in the third quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals Friday, May 22, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Pool, Jeff Haynes)

Cleveland Cavaliers' Mo Williams, right, drives around Orlando Magic's Rafer Alston in the third quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals Friday, May 22, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Pool, Jeff Haynes)

Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy reacts to a call in the third quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers Friday, May 22, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James, right, shoots against Orlando Magic's Marcin Gortat, from Poland, in the second quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals Friday, May 22, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Orlando Magic's Courtney Lee, left, shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers' Zydrunas Ilgauskas, from Lithuania, in the first quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals Friday, May 22, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James, left, dunks on Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard in the second quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals Friday, May 22, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Orlando Magic's Rafer Alston (1) drives the baseline against Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James (23) in the second quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals Friday, May 22, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Orlando Magic's Hedo Turkoglu (15), from Turkey, drives inside Cleveland Cavaliers' Anderson Varejao, from Brazil, in the second quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals Friday, May 22, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Cleveland Cavaliers' Mo Williams falls into the television announcers table in the second quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals against the Orlando Magic Friday, May 22, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard and Cleveland Cavaliers' Joe Smith (32) collide under the basket in the second quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals Friday, May 22, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown directs his team in the first quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals against the Orlando Magic Friday, May 22, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Orlando Magic's Anthony Johnson (8) fires a pass past Cleveland Cavaliers' Mo Williams, right, in the first quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals on Friday, May 22, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James dunks against the Orlando Magic in the first quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals Friday, May 22, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Orlando Magic's Courtney Lee (11) shoots around Cleveland Cavaliers' Zydrunas Ilgauskas, from Lithuania, in the first quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals Friday, May 22, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Fans cheer before the start of Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals between the Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, May 22, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard (12) passes away from Cleveland Cavaliers' Anderson Varejao (17) from Brazil, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas (11) from Lithuania, in the first quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals Friday, May 22, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Cleveland Cavaliers' Delonte West (13) sprints past Orlando Magic's Courtney Lee on a first quarter drive to the basket in Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals Friday, May 22, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James shoots between Orlando Magic's Rashard Lewis (9) and Rafer Alston (1) in the first quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals Friday, May 22, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Cleveland Cavaliers' Delonte West (13) defends a shot by Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard (12) in the first quarter of Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals Friday, May 22, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)

Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard warms up before Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Friday, May 22, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James gets in some early shooting practice before Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals against the Orlando Magic Friday, May 22, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)