Game 3 Orlando Magic - Cleveland Cavaliers

1	2	3	4	T
CLE (9-2)	17	24	22	26	89
ORL (10-6)	24	18	26	31	99

ORLANDO, Fla. -- From an unforgettable shot to a cheap one.

Three games in, the Eastern Conference finals have grown a little nasty.

2009 NBA Playoffs

• Cavs-Magic page

Dwight Howard scored 24 points -- 14 on free throws -- and Rafer Alston added 18 as the Orlando Magic, sick of seeing replays of LeBron James' dramatic buzzer-beater to win Game 2, downed the Cleveland Cavaliers 99-89 on Sunday night to take a 2-1 lead in the series.A physical game from start to finish, there were 86 free throws attempted, 58 personal fouls called, two technicals, and a flagrant. The officials spent half the night stepping between players on both sides as tempers flared inside an overheated Amway Arena.In the first half, Mo Williams had his left eye split open by Orlando's Anthony Johnson, who nailed Cleveland's point guard with an elbow.

Fast Facts

• Dwight Howard led the way with 24 points (including 14-for-19 free throws) and nine rebounds despite being limited to 28 minutes due to foul trouble.

• The Magic limited the Cavs to a postseason-low 37.2 percent shooting.

• LeBron James finished with 41 points (including a postseason career-high 18 made foul shots and 24 free-throw attempts), nine assists, and seven rebounds, giving him his seventh career 40-point playoff game (most in the NBA since James' postseason debut in 2006).

• No other Cleveland player scored more than 15 points, including just eight combined points off the bench.

• The teams combined for 58 personal fouls and 86 free-throw attempts.

• The Cavaliers fell to 2-4 vs. the Magic this season (regular season and playoffs combined) and have lost two of three after winning their first eight postseason games.

-- ESPN Stats & Information

Williams, who needed four stitches to close two cuts, and James felt the blow was a cheap shot."I think it was," James said. "You see Mo's face, it's not a pretty sight. That's not called for in this game."James scored 41 on just 11-of-28 shooting and missed five free throws in the fourth quarter. And once again, Cleveland's superstar didn't get enough help from his teammates. Williams, Delonte West and Zydrunas Ilgauskas shot a combined 13-of-37.Game 4 is Tuesday night.The first two games of the series in Cleveland were each decided by one point. This one was resolved by elbows, shoves and hard fouls.Howard, Ilgauskas and Cleveland's Anderson Varejao all fouled out. Afterward, Williams said the Cavaliers were giving the underdog Magic too much respect."We just need to man up," James said. "Orlando is a very, very good team."Unlike Games 1 and 2, the Magic got out fast, stayed close despite Howard's early foul trouble and put the Cavs away at the line.Howard, a notoriously poor foul shooter, went 14-of-19 from the line and the Magic made 39 of 51 attempts. In the fourth quarter alone, Orlando made 19 of 23 to hold off the top-seeded Cavaliers, who began the playoffs with eight straight wins and have now dropped two of their last three.Each time he stepped to the line, Howard sang a song in his head he heard at halftime."We just kept fighting. That's what we got to do, we fight to the end," Howard said. "We can't worry about nothing, we can't worry about the calls, can't worry about nobody else. We just got to get out there and play."Cleveland better figure out a way to win in steamy Florida fast. The Cavs, who were thumped here by 29 on April 3, have lost six of their last seven in Orlando.The Magic seem to have a spell over the Cavs."They create so many matchup problems for us," Williams said. "I know it. They know it. Everybody knows it."Despite his lack of help, James kept Cleveland within striking distance in the fourth and scored on a three-point play while getting Howard's fifth foul with 2:34 to play to pull the Cavs to 90-86.Howard, wrapped up underneath, then made two free throws before James was fouled and rimmed out two at the other end. On Orlando's next trip, Mickael Pietrus, who came off the bench to score 16, grabbed a long rebound, got fouled and was pushed in the back by West, who was handed a T.Pietrus made his free throws to make it 94-86 and the Magic appeared to have things under control when Howard caught James from behind and blocked his 3-pointer. The refs saw it otherwise and called a three-shot foul on Superman, who couldn't believe it.James made all three shots, but the Cavs were short on time. Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu made free throws. Turkoglu was just 1-of-11 from the floor but made 11 free throws and added 10 rebounds and seven assists.After sitting the final seven minutes of the first half with three fouls, Howard made it through 9:10 of the third quarter before getting No. 4 -- and technical No. 5 of the postseason.He was called for pushing Ben Wallace underneath, and upset with the whistle, he said something on his way to the bench that referee Joey Crawford didn't like and was T'd up. Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy had warned his star to keep his composure because the league automatically suspends a player for one game after he receives his seventh technical foul in the playoffs."I didn't say anything to Joey Crawford," Howard said. "The response was to the other team. I didn't say anything to Joey Crawford. I'm not stupid enough to get in his face and say anything, so I try to keep it to the other team."The Magic led 29-23 when Howard picked up his third personal foul with 7:27 remaining in the first half when he bumped James ever so slightly on a drive.After Johnson rocked Williams with the elbow, Williams laid face down on the floor for several seconds. When he got up, Williams, who was called for a block, had blood trickling from his eyebrow and left cheek.During the timeout, the officiating crew huddled and decided to call a flagrant-1 on Johnson. Williams, who had hurried from the floor for medical treatment, came back out to shoot the free throws with his eye already severely swollen. If he had not returned to shoot, Williams would not have been able to play anymore.Gritting his teeth, Williams, looking like a boxer needing a corner cut man, made both shots and immediately headed to the locker room for stitches.He was back on the floor with about two minutes left.Before the game, James said he expected a physical game."When you play a team over and over you start to dislike them more," he said. "It just happens. It's got to be a little chippy."Was it ever.Game notes
Celebrity row included Tiger Woods, NBA stars Dwyane Wade and Carlos Boozer, rapper Lil' Wayne and Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis. ... Cavaliers coach Mike Brown joked that he can't turn on any TV channel without seeing James and the "Shot That Saved Cleveland" in Game 2. "They even showed highlights of it on HGTV," he said. "That's what I watch. It's got to be the best shot from him that I've seen."

Musical entertainers Usher, left, and Chris Brown share a conversation during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals between the Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. The Magic won 99-89. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Musical entertainer Usher, left, shows actor Chris Tucker his cell phone during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals between the Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. The Magic won 99-89. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (12) is fouled by Cleveland Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, of Lithuania, in the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. Orlando won 99-89.(AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

Musical entertainers Usher, left, and Chris Brown share a conversation during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals between the Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. The Magic won 99-89. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (12) throws down a dunk in front of Cleveland Cavaliers guard Mo Williams in the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. Orlando won 99-89.(AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (12) celebrates as he heads to the free throw line in the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. Orlando won 99-89.(AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, right, goes up for a shot past Cleveland Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, of Lithuania, in the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. Orlando won 99-89.(AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

Musical entertainer Usher watches the action during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals between the Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. The Magic won 99-89. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Entertainer Usher, left, watches the action during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals between the Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. The Magic won 99-89. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James, left, and Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard share a few words during a timeout in the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. The Magic won 99-89. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard reacts after a play during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. The Magic won 99-89. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Delonte West, right, puts up a shot in front of Orlando Magic guard Courtney Lee during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. The Magic won 99-89. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Orlando Magic guard Rafer Alston, left, celebrates after making a three-point shot during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. The Magic won 99-89. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cleveland Cavaliers forward Anderson Varejao (17), of Brazil, battles for a rebound against Orlando Magic forward Rashard Lewis (9) and center Dwight Howard in the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. Orlando won 99-89(AP Photo/John Raoux)

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) walks off the court after losing Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals to the Orlando Magic 99-89 in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009.(AP Photo/John Raoux)

Orlando Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy, left, argues a call with official Joe Crawford during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. The Magic won 99-89. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Orlando Magic forward Mickael Pietrus, left, of France, is fouled by Cleveland Cavaliers Delonte West while going up for a shot during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. The Magic won 99-89. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Orlando Magic guard Mickael Pietrus (20), of France pumps his fist after taking a hard foul from Cleveland Cavaliers guard Delonte West (13) in the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. West was also called for a technical foul. Orlando won 99-89.(AP Photo/John Raoux)

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, left, goes up for an attempted blocked shot on Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. Howard was called for a foul on the play. The Magic won 99-89. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James, left, runs into Orlando Magic forward Mickael Pietrus, of France, during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. The Magic won 99-89. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, left, is fouled by Cleveland Cavaliers forward Anderson Varejao, of Brazil, during the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. The Magic won 99-89. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (12) and forward Rashard Lewis (9) both go up for a rebound in the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. Orlando won 99-89. (AP Photo/Elsa, POOL)

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) goes up for a shot in front of Orlando Magic guard Courtney Lee, left, in the second half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. Orlando won 99-89.(AP Photo/John Raoux)

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James takes a look at the scoreboard in the first half of Game 3 against the Orlando Magic in the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) makes a shot over Orlando Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu, left, of Turkey, and center Dwight Howard (12) in the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Mo Williams sits bloodied during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. Williams took an elbow from Cleveland Cavaliers' Anthony Johnson. Williams returned to the game after getting treatment. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James, left, blocks a shot by Orlando Magic's Courtney Lee during the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) takes a shot over Orlando Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu (15), of Turkey, in the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, center, is fouled as he tries to make a shot between Cleveland Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, left, of Lithuania, and forward Anderson Varejao (17), of Brazil, in the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. (AP Photo/John Raoux)Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) makes a shot over Orlando Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu (15), of Turkey, center Dwight Howard, and guard Courtney Lee (11) in the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (12) goes up for a shot past Cleveland Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, of Lithuania, in the first half of Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Orlando Magic assistant coach Patrick Ewing, left, talks with Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard during warmups prior to Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James shoots baskets as he warms up prior to Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals against the Orlando Magic in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, May 24, 2009. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)