Hey everyone! It's A.C., checking in. What's happening?

I know we're just a few hours from Friday's tip, but I wanted to check in real quickly.

I'm looking for a different effort from the Wine and Gold tonight. On Wednesday, we didn't stick with what got us the lead in the first half. We were moving the ball well - we had 14 assists. But we only had eight in the second half. And I think we got a little intoxicated with greatness. We got caught up watching a great player and he was on his game.

They fell into that trap - watching LeBron operate - and they couldn't get out of it. And it got to the point where, when the other guys were called on to finish the game, they were out of rhythm - it's as simple as that. We got away from moving the ball from one side of the floor to the other. I think, had we continued to move the ball well, we would have won that game by 20.

And I think, defensively, we made some changes that hurt us. But mostly, we need to figure out what to do with Dwight Howard.

As good as Howard played in the first half, we still had a 15-point lead. Like I've been saying: He is not going to score enough points to beat you. It's when you start allowing a second man to get hot that Orlando is truly dangerous.

Once you start "hedging" off your man to help with Howard, that's when you get in trouble. It gives that shooter just enough space to can the shot. Lewis' shots were contested, but we hedged off Howard to give him just enough space.

The last three-pointer Lewis made, you know a three-pointer is the only shot that can beat you. So you have to run him off that spot. You can't let him have that spot. You have to be cognizant of that. I would have let him drive towards the basket, and if your defense lets you down behind you, the worst you have is overtime. But you can't let him shoot a shot that can beat you.

In terms of Howard - you have to attack him. You have to get physical with him. You cannot let him have his way around the basket. If you watch how the Celtics guarded him - they kept a body on him at all times. They forced him to shoot over people. You can't let him get one bump, one step and get right to the basket. Somebody's got to put a body on that young men.

Well, this is the first time this year the Cavaliers have faced a "must-win" situation.  And let's see how they react to it. It's been smooth sailing this year, and now they have their backs against the wall. You have to win this game tonight - everyone knows that. It's been a struggle to win down in Florida, so you don't want to go down there needing two.

Tonight, I would like to see two halves of basketball like Wednesday's first half. I'd like see 25 or more assists on Friday night. The Cavaliers don't lose games when that's the case.

You need this win tonight and if we can go down there and split, we'll come back here with the homecourt advantage intact. And we will win the series.