Cavaliers at Magic
The Cleveland Cavaliers are going through an abysmal stretch and look to begin a turnaround when they visit the Orlando Magic on Tuesday. Cleveland has dropped 12 of its last 18 games, and Saturday's 120-88 loss to Houston was its fourth by more than 20 points over its last 12 contests.
The Cavaliers have fallen 7 1/2 games behind Eastern Conference-leading Boston and actually are closer to ninth place (4 1/2 games) than first. Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue insists his club isn't going to panic despite speculation his job could be in jeopardy due to the sustained slump that already is raising questions about the team's postseason fortunes. The game at Orlando begins a stretch during which four of five games are on the road, which isn't good timing for a Cleveland team that is just 11-14 away from home. The Magic recorded a 111-109 victory at Miami on Monday - their second win in three games following a 3-20 stretch.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cleveland), FS Florida (Orlando)
ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (30-21): LeBron James is headed toward free agency following the season, and he continues to show both frustration and disappointment with the team's long slide. James has delivered not-so-subtle shots at teammates but also asserts that there is plenty of time for everyone to get their act together and get back to the early-season winning form. "We prepare, we'll be professional and we go out and play," James told reporters. "At the end of the day, as bad as it's looked of late, we're still in a good position where we can play some good basketball going into the (All-Star) break, and we want to try to control that."
ABOUT THE MAGIC (16-36): Orlando is 1-2 against the Cavaliers this season, with one of their most impressive victories of the season being a 114-93 romp on Oct. 21 in Cleveland. Mario Hezonja averaged 13 points and six rebounds over the first three meetings and was a key figure in Monday's win over the Heat with 20 points - his second-highest scoring output of the season. Hezonja has drained three or more 3-pointers in each of his last four games and is averaging 16.5 points while going 14-for-23 from beyond the arc during that stretch.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Cavaliers have won nine straight visits to Orlando, winning by an average of 15 points.
2. Orlando PF Aaron Gordon (hip flexor) will miss his fifth straight game and also pulled out of the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, which takes place during the All-Star festivities later this month.
3. Cleveland PG Isaiah Thomas is 10-of-38 shooting - including 1-for-14 from 3-point range - over his last three contests.