The Cleveland Cavaliers escaped with a magical win over the Orland Magic, Monday night at Gund Arena. The Cavs 99-98 win, marked the return of LeBron James and the exit of Tracy McGrady. James scored 16 points in his return (playing only 30 min.), but it was the "Eastern Conference Player of the Week" Carlos Boozer who led the Cavs with 23 points and 16 rebounds.

McGrady put the clamps on himself in the third quarter after stubbing his foot not long after the third quarter began. Up till that point, no Cavs player could stop McGrady's shooting display. McGrady scored 34 of his 36 points in the first half. He tied an NBA record nailing eight 3-pointers in the half. His shooting enabled the Magic to score 62 first half points. But the Cavaliers, led by James' 14 first half points, scored 59 points to keep it close at the half.

With McGrady going down in the third it looked as though the Cavs might make a run to take the game away. But the Cavs played poorly and the Magic outscored the Cavs in the quarter 17-14, to grow the lead to six heading to the fourth.

Juwan Howard and Shammond Williams' shooting helped ease the load left by McGrady. DaJuan Wagner filled in for LeBron quite nicely in the fourth (as LeBron rested his ankle) scoring 13 of his season-high 21 points. Wagner was 3-3 in 3-pointers, all coming in the fourth. The Cavs took their first lead since early in the game at 93-92 on a Boozer dunk.

Shammond Williams made two free throws with 43 seconds left to pull the Magic within 99-98. The Cavs then had a chance to strengthen their lead when Eric Williams was fouled with seven seconds left. But he missed both attempts and that left the door open for the Magic. Rod Strickland made one last attempt, but it was wide left and preserved the Cavs fourth win in five games.

Howard finished with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists. Zydrunas Ilgauskas finished with a double-double scoring 12 points and grabbing 11 rebounds while blocking three shots. McInnis chipped in with seven points, seven assists, and three steals. DeSagana Diop made some nice defensive stops in the fourth and added four rebounds and 2 blocks in 18 minutes of work.

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