Fear The Sword: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: MLB Trade Deadline: Phils, Astros complete Roy Oswalt deal

Game #24 - Cleveland Cavaliers at Oklahoma City Thunder

Cleveland Cavaliers at Oklahoma City Thunder, Dec 13, 2009 6:00 PM CST


2009/2010 NBA Regular Season
VS
12-916-7
December 13, 2009
Ford Center
7:00 PM et
Radio - WTAM 1100 / TV - FSOhio HD
Probable starters:
Russell Westbrook PG Mo Williams
Thabo Sefolosha SG Anthony Parker
Kevin Durant SF LeBron James
Jeff Green PF J.J. Hickson
Nenad Krstic C Shaquille O'Neal

The up and down season of the Cavaliers is back on the up-swing after the Wine and Gold came from behind to beat the Portland Trailblazers at The Q on Friday night.  Now the Cavaliers travel to one of the tougher places to play - Oklahoma City - where the Thunder are off to a hot 12-9 start.  The reason?  Kevin Durant is quickly becoming a dominant force.  Should be an interesting challenge for LeBron and Co.

Injury news - Shaq will play, Daniel Gibson will not.

If you haven't already, FOLLOW ME on Twitter and become a fan of FTS on FACEBOOK

Cavaliers vs Thunder coverageCavaliers vs Thunder previewWelcome to Loud City

Some more Game Notes after the Jump -- >

Star-divide

  • Cleveland has gone 13-4 (.765) in their last 17 games and has won seven consecutive games at The Q, improving their record to 9-2,.818, which is tied for 4th best in the NBA. In those seven games, the team has averaged 105.9 ppg on .527 shooting whileopponents have only scored 96.1 ppg on .452 shooting. With the 104-99 victory on Friday, the Cavaliers have defeated the TrailBlazers in five straight contests and the last seven in Cleveland.
  • The Cavaliers are 6-2 (.750) against the Western Conference this season and will look to improve on that in Oklahoma City onSunday. Since the beginning of last season, no team has been better against the opposite conference than the Cavaliers, whohave gone 32-6 (.842). (Elias) The team swept the series with the Thunder last season, outscoring them 109.5-86 with a .580-.398 shooting advantage. Tonight's game will feature two of the Top 5 scoring duos in the NBA with LeBron James (28.2) and Mo Williams (16.7) ranking 3rd at 44.9 ppg versus Kevin Durant (28.3) and Russell Westrbook (16.4) ranking 4th at 44.7 ppg.
  • LeBron James has been very good against Western Conference teams over the last three seasons. Since the 2007-08 season, Jamesleads the league with the highest scoring average at 28.3 ppg in 67 games (K. Bryant is 2nd at 28.2 ppg). Versus Portland, LeBron James scored a game-high 33 points on 14-24 (.583) shooting from the field and added seven rebounds, seven assists, two blocks andone steal in 38 minutes. This game was the fourth time this season that James has reached those levels in all three categoriesand no other player in the league has done that even once this season. The Cavs are now 8-3 (.727) when James scores at least30 points this season and over his last three games, he is averaging 34.3 points. (STATS, Inc./Elias)
  • Anderson Varejao notched his fourth double-double on the season with a season-high 22 points on 10-17 (.588) shooting, 10 rebounds, two steals and one block in 36 minutes. His 22 points are the most points scored by a Cavaliers reserve this season.The bench provided 35 points on 16-29 (.552) shooting and grabbed 17 rebounds. Over the last seven games, the bench is averaging38.6 points on 109-210 (.519) shooting and 19.6 rebounds.
  • Shaquille O'Neal recorded his third double-double of the season with 14 points and a season-best 11 rebounds in 23 minutes. Hemade 5-11 (.455) shots from the field and all four of his free throw attempts. It was the first time since Jan. 18, 2009 at Torontothat he made all of his free throws while attempting at least four free throw attempts.
  • Mo Williams recorded his first double-double this season with 14 points on 5-11 (.455) shooting, a season-high 10 assists, threerebounds and one steal in 35 minutes. The Cavaliers had three players with double-doubles for the first time since Feb. 24, 2008 when LeBron James, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and then-Cavalier Ben Wallace all recorded double-doubles against Memphis.
  • The Cavaliers defensive triangle combines to be one of the best in the league. While Cleveland is allowing only 33.9 points in thepaint on the season, the NBA's lowest, the team also ranks 4th in defensive points allowed at 94.6 ppg, ranks 2nd in overall defensive field goal percentage at .436 and ranks 8th in defensive three-point field goal percentage at .334.
  • A key to the Cavaliers success has been strong starts in the first quarter. At 29.2 ppg in the opening period are the league's highestscoring team in the first quarter while shooting .559 from the field, which also ranks 1st. The team has won 15 out of the last 18and 18 out of 23 overall first quarters by an average margin of +4.5, which is another league best. The Cavaliers have topped the 30-point first quarter plateau in 12 games this season and scored more than 60 points in the five first halves this season.Cleveland is 14-2 (.875) when tied or leading at halftime this season.    

0 recs  |  Comment 30 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

A little more intensity on the defensive end and the Cavs can escape with a W….If LeBron is going to carry the offense, someone else has to step it up on defense

by cavslandrocks on Dec 13, 2009 7:40 PM CST reply actions  

We didn’t play well against these guys last year anyway

by WaveOcean on Dec 13, 2009 7:42 PM CST reply actions  

Not a great highlight moment. You’re supposed to shoot that, Mo.

by WaveOcean on Dec 13, 2009 7:46 PM CST reply actions  

It’s frightening how bad Shaq is at holding onto the ball.

by WaveOcean on Dec 13, 2009 7:46 PM CST reply actions  

This game is slow……………………

by WaveOcean on Dec 13, 2009 7:48 PM CST reply actions  

that shot almost popped out again

by WaveOcean on Dec 13, 2009 7:49 PM CST reply actions  

Are you upset Mo? Well, you haven’t been playing well right now.

by WaveOcean on Dec 13, 2009 7:50 PM CST reply actions  

a 3 by James

Thank goodness he’s been working on it

by WaveOcean on Dec 13, 2009 7:56 PM CST reply actions  

and another

tie game

LeBron’s making up for a few minutes earlier

by WaveOcean on Dec 13, 2009 7:57 PM CST reply actions  

YEAH

LeBron for 3 AGAIN

3 of 3, last 9 points, and we regain the lead

That quarter ended much better than I could have asked for

by WaveOcean on Dec 13, 2009 7:58 PM CST reply actions  

Moon has been a real disappointment the past few games…turnover prone and in love with the three…that guy should be taking it to the rack every chance he gets

by cavslandrocks on Dec 13, 2009 8:08 PM CST reply actions  

a few stops here would be helpful

by cavslandrocks on Dec 13, 2009 8:09 PM CST reply actions  

Mo for 3!!…about time he hit one of those

by cavslandrocks on Dec 13, 2009 8:10 PM CST reply actions  

and Mo for another 3!!…maybe Delonte should run the point more often

by cavslandrocks on Dec 13, 2009 8:11 PM CST reply actions  

well….with LeBron checking back in, the Offense will get a boost but will the defense step up?

by cavslandrocks on Dec 13, 2009 8:15 PM CST reply actions  

OKC can’t buy a bucket…they need to take advantage of this and stop throwing the ball away

by cavslandrocks on Dec 13, 2009 8:18 PM CST reply actions  

that last three by Mo will make the highlight reels

by cavslandrocks on Dec 13, 2009 8:20 PM CST reply actions  

That will sap the energy away. Cavs by 9 with 3:30 to go

by WaveOcean on Dec 13, 2009 8:21 PM CST up reply actions  

Our 3 point shooting really saved us tonight

by WaveOcean on Dec 13, 2009 8:21 PM CST reply actions  

LeBron hasn’t done much this quarter, but thankfully he didn’t have to

by WaveOcean on Dec 13, 2009 8:23 PM CST reply actions  

And our outside shooting gets better and better

I think we even blocked a shot

by WaveOcean on Dec 13, 2009 8:23 PM CST reply actions  

when this OKC team learns how to finish, they’ll be scary good

by cavslandrocks on Dec 13, 2009 8:23 PM CST reply actions  

3 top 5 draft positions will do that for you

by WaveOcean on Dec 13, 2009 8:26 PM CST up reply actions  

Yep. This 4th quarter was about Mo Williams. He turned it up a notch.

by WaveOcean on Dec 13, 2009 8:24 PM CST reply actions  

he really needed an exceptional shooting performance…he’s been off the last three games

by cavslandrocks on Dec 13, 2009 8:25 PM CST reply actions  

100-87. Makes it look easier than it actually was, eh?

by WaveOcean on Dec 13, 2009 8:26 PM CST reply actions  

I’d rather see them finish strong like that than get off to a quick start and then coast

by cavslandrocks on Dec 13, 2009 8:30 PM CST up reply actions  

that was a classy move by LeBron…not shooting when he could have

by cavslandrocks on Dec 13, 2009 8:28 PM CST reply actions  

I could see this being a preview of a few nba finals series over the next 10 years if they keep that team together.

by CavsLebronFan on Dec 14, 2009 1:43 AM CST reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

FearTheSword(FTS) is the ultimate independent resource for the Cleveland Cavaliers on the web. We look to provide hardcore Cavaliers fans positive, independent insight about the Cavs, 24/7/365!
Start posting about the Cavaliers »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

Connect_with_facebook

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

Small
Shaq's Destiny Realized....
145417180_476760366_0_small
What would you do if you were the Cavaliers' GM for this upcoming season?
Powe_small
Fernandez could be available. Could the Cavs work out a deal?
Small
Could Cavs Work Three Way Trade Involving Paul?
Small
Let Barnes go to LA
Images_small
Congrats to the Cavs and Samardo Samuels
Deion-sanders-rookie-card_small
Defending Lebron
Small
Cleveland/ T-Wolves Trade
Gms_browns_hat_small
Witness to Betrayal - Deep Thoughts on The Decision
Jj_small
LeBron Back in Cleveland

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Socialize With FearTheSword

Facebook_badge_medium_medium_medium
Black_generated_button
Fts_email_medium



SBNation.com Recent Stories

 LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh of the Miami Heat speak after being introduced to fans during a welcome party at American Airlines Arena on July 9 2010 in Miami Florida.  (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

How Good Will LeBron James And The Miami Heat Be In 2011? Hint: Very Good

Lorenzen Wright 
(Getty Images) +6 updates

Lorenzen Wright's Body Found In Memphis, Police Conduct Homicide Investigation

Chris Paul LeBron James

'The Miami Model': Why Greed Is Good, And The NBA's Superteam Era Will Be Great

More from SBNation.com >


Owner/General Manager/Head Coach

Fts_small_small John Bena (aka CavsBlogger)

Asst. Coach

Small AncientMariner

Picme_small FTSmatt