Magic top Bobcats, advance

Everyone likes to talk about Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers when it comes to the Eastern Conference of the NBA, and they do present a formidable obstacle to anyone seeking a berth in this year’s NBA Finals. However, if they are going to get there, they are going to have to do something that they could not do a year ago: beat the Orlando Magic.

The Magic made short order of the Charlotte Bobcats in the first round, finishing them off with a 99-90 victory in Charlotte on Monday in what may very well be Larry Brown’s last game as the Bobcats coach. Orlando swept Charlotte in four games, and their balanced attack is hitting on all cylinders. Even with Dwight Howard saddled with foul trouble throughout much of the series, the Magic didn’t skip a beat in dispatching of Charlotte.

“If you would have told me that he would have averaged well under 30 minutes for the series and we would sweep, I would have said you’re crazy. I think it’s a testament to our other guys,” said Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy.

The Magic will face the winner of the Atlanta-Milwaukee series that is currently tied at two games apiece, while Charlotte will await the news on whether or not Brown is bolting to Philadelphia as is being widely reported.