Peripheral Vision - Saturday's games to watch
by Jeff at the BBC on Mar 13, 2010 2:00 PM CST
2 comments
There's one month remaining in the NBA regular season, and there are precious few chances to make up any significant ground for the teams left in the chase.
The Eastern Conference has 9 teams with any prayer left to make the playoffs, so most teams are simply jockeying for position now. Here's what's left to watch for today in our region;
Orlando Magic at Washington Wizards, 7pm EST
Orlando has been unstoppable for the last three weeks, having won 7 games in a row. Their problem is that they haven't been able to gain ground on the Cavaliers, as they still sit five games out of first place in the East. The Magic needs all the stars to align to win the East, so they're probably content with capturing the 2nd seed. Washington should be no challenge for Orlando today.
Detroit Pistons at Atlanta Hawks,7pm EST
The Hawks are playing great basketball right now and are tied with Boston for the third seed in the East. They are probably content with allowing Orlando to win the division and focus their energy on holding off the Celtics, and with the way the Magic are playing, that's a wise thought. They are 4 games behind Orlando and 6 games ahead of 5th-seed Milwaukee. All that's left for Atlanta to fight for is whether they'll be third or fourth in the East. The Pistons should be dispatched easily today if they want that third slot.
Toronto Raptors at Golden State Warriors, 1030pm EST
Raptor fans, here's the bad news. You've lost 7 of 10 and slipped from the fifth seed to the 8th seed in just three weeks time. The good news? Chicago sucks worse than you are have fallen deeper, occupying the 9th slot in the East and a ticket home. Toronto has a two-game lead for the final playoff position, and they have to turn it around immediately. Their reward if they continue to flounder? Either a ticket home for the playoffs, or a date with the Cavaliers. Playing Golden State will show whether or not they're serious about their commitment.
2 comments | 0 recs
Former Cavalier Larry Hughes signs with Charlotte Bobcats
by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Mar 13, 2010 10:55 AM CST
in Cavaliers in the News
4 comments
The Charlotte Bobcats are currently tied for 6th in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. They added what they hope to be some help in order to finish the deal. The Bobcats came to terms with former Cavalier Larry Hughes on a contract.
Hughes was traded from the Knicks to Sacramento prior to the trade deadline. The Kings released Hughes after the trade. Hughes was suffering from a broken finger at the time, which prevented the Bobcats from signing him earlier. Hughes is expected to help the Bobcats make up for the loss of Flip Murray, who was traded to Chicago last month.
The Cavaliers lost 3 of 4 games to the Bobcats this season and the two teams could meet in the 1st Round of the NBA Playoffs this season.
4 comments | 0 recs |
Cavs escape Philadelphia with 100-95 win
by Jeff at the BBC on Mar 12, 2010 8:46 PM CST
in 2009 Post Game Recap
6 comments
Sometimes you win games that you should have lost. Tonight was one of those games.
Andre Iguodala scored 30 points for Philadelphia and Elton Brand added 24 to lead all scorers, but it wasn't enough as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Sixers 100-95 at Wachovia Center Friday night. Philly did a lot of damage inside as they scored 66 points in the paint against one of the NBA's best defenses, but late shots would not fall as the Sixers dropped their 8th game out of their last 9.
LeBron James led the Cavs with 23 points and 10 assists, while Mo Williams added 21 points as Cleveland moved to 51-15 on the year, 5 games up on the rest of the Eastern Conference.
6 comments | 0 recs |
Game #66 - Cleveland Cavaliers at Philadelphia 76ers Game Night Open Thread
by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Mar 12, 2010 5:32 PM CST
in 2009 Game Day Thread
126 comments
2009/2010 NBA Regular Season
VS
23-40 50-15
March 12, 2010
Wachovia Center
7:00 PM et
Radio - WTAM 1100 / FSOhio
Probable starters:
Louis Williams
PG
Mo Williams
Jrue Holiday
SG
Anthony Parker
Andre Iguodala
SF
LeBron James
Elton Brand
PF
Leon Powe
Samuel Dalembert
C
J.J. Hickson
It seems like forever since the Cavaliers played a basketball game. In NBA circles, getting 4 days off in mid-March is forever. The rest came at the perfect time. LeBron James was able to take a week off and only miss 2 games. Antawn Jamson will sit tonight, giving him 6 days off between games. He hopes to play Sunday against the Celtics. All the bumps, bruises and finger injuries - Mo Williams and Anthony Parker -should be feeling much better. Oh yea, #23 returns to the lineup and he should be filled with energy.
The Cavaliers, undermanned from top to bottom, beat the Spurs on Monday night. It was the type of win that can give everyone on the roster, from #1 to #15, the confidence necessary to finish the season and head into the playoffs. It was the 50th win of the year for the Cavaliers - the first team in the NBA to win 50 games this season. That is significant too. The past two years, the team that got to 50 wins first has won the NBA Championship. Boston did it in 2008, the Lakers did in 2009. Can the Cavs make it 3 straight years?
3-in the Key
1. At 50-15 (.769), Cleveland owns the NBA's best record and leads the league with highest point differential at +7.2 and has won seven of their last eight games and is 24-7 (.774) in 2010, which is the best mark in that span. With Monday's win over San Antonio, the Cavaliers became the NBA's first team to win 50 games this season and a playoff spot. It's the first time in franchise history that Cleveland has been the first NBA team to reach 50 wins in a season and the fourth time in the last five seasons they have reached the 50-win mark: (2005-06, 2006-07, 2008-09, 2009-10).
2. The Cavaliers have won 13 of its last 18 road games and at 22-11 (.667), their road record is tied for the best (Boston) in the NBA. LeBron James leads the league this season in scoring on the road at 31.0 ppg.
3. Cleveland has defeated Philadelphia six consecutive times at the Wachovia Center, outscoring the 76ers 100.8-94.2 and outshooting them .478-.458 in those games. In the Cavs win on Dec. 16, LeBron James tallied 36 points, six rebounds, seven assists, three steals and one block. With Philadelphia leading 94-90 midway through the fourth, the Cavaliers held the 76ers to one field goal in the final five minutes to close out the game.
126 comments | 0 recs |
Antawn Jamison out tonight, Leon Powe gets the start
by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Mar 12, 2010 12:58 PM CST
in Cavaliers in the News
10 comments
Cavaliers F Antawn Jamison is out of tonight's game against the 76'ers after not travelling with the team. Leon Powe will get his first start at PF. The Cavaliers are still listing Jamison as Day-to-Day with left knee stiffness. Jamison had hoped to play tonight, but has stated he would be ready to go for Sunday's afternoon game against the Celtics at The Q.
10 comments | 0 recs |
If I had to play, if it were the playoffs, I could have played. The ankle wasn't that bad. Looking back on it, it was the right decision to give the injuries I had some rest. I needed to take some time off to help my body. It's not often you can look at the schedule and get a week off and miss only two games. We took advantage of it. I got a lot of treatment and exercise to where I can definitely close out the season. It's a blessing at this point in the season. We had only two games in a week. I took advantage of it, and Coach allowed me to do it.
Peripheral Vision - Friday's NBA games to watch
by Jeff at the BBC on Mar 12, 2010 8:08 AM CST
3 comments
Finally, the Cavaliers are back in action. Tonight we head to Philadelphia and take on a Sixers team that is either flailing or simply surrendered. Philly has lost 7 of their last 8 games, and none of those losses were even close. Meanwhile, the Cavs have won 20 of their last 24 games.
LeBron James is expected to return to action tonight....and one has to ask, if it was truly rest that James needed, then his status would not be in question, would it? No word yet on whether or not Antawn Jamison will be back, but all signs point to a Sunday start for AJ.
Aside from the obvious Cavs game to watch tonight, there's a full slate of games that will have some impact on us. Let's take a look;
3 comments | 0 recs
Peripheral Vision - Thursday's NBA Action
by Jeff at the BBC on Mar 11, 2010 9:37 AM CST
2 comments
OK, I know that the rest is good for LeBron and Antawn, but three days without Cavalier basketball is killing me!
Keeping an eye on our closest competition tonight....only two games worth noting.
Chicago at Orlando Magic, 8pm EST
Two teams headed in opposite directions. The Magic have won 6 in a row and are solidifying their #2 seed in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Chicago has dropped their last 5 games and are a full game out of the playoffs. If they don't turn it around fast, they're finished. They won't turn it around tonight. Maybe Sunday against Miami?
Atlanta at Washington, 7pm EST
Atlanta has been an afterthought all season, despite posting an excellent record. A win tonight puts them in sole possession of the 3 seed in the East. Boston's failures will be Atlanta's bonus, if they can beat the new-look Wizards.
I don't expect to see an upset in either of these games. In fact, I think Atlanta and Orlando are on a collision course for the second round of the playoffs.
2 comments | 0 recs
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recent FanShots
Record
Hide Standings
Cavaliers Schedule
Next 5 Games
Boston Celtics
@
Cleveland Cavaliers
Sunday, Mar 14, 2010, 2:30 PM CDT
Quicken Loans Arena
|
@
Detroit
|
Tue 03/16 | 6:30 PM CDT |
|
Indiana
|
Wed 03/17 | 6:00 PM CDT |
|
@
Chicago
|
Fri 03/19 | 7:00 PM CDT |
|
Detroit
|
Sun 03/21 | 7:00 PM CDT |
Last 5 Games
|
@
Philadelphia
|
Fri 03/12 | W 100 - 95 |
|
San Antonio
|
Mon 03/08 | W 97 - 95 |
|
@
Milwaukee
|
Sat 03/06 | L 85 - 92 |
|
Detroit
|
Fri 03/05 | W 99 - 92 |
|
@
New Jersey
|
Wed 03/03 | W 111 - 92 |
Web Stuff
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
