Revenge of Shaqtus - Cavaliers dominate Suns, sweep season series
by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 21, 2009 10:51 PM CST
in 2009 Post Game Recap
9 comments
Shaquille O'Neal was the scape goat in Phoenix. It was O'Neal that cramped the Suns style, O'Neal that kept Steve Nash from running and gunning, kept the Suns from making the playoffs in 2009. All that could be true, and the Suns hot start seems to be proof positive. Against O'Neal's new team, however, nothing could be further from the truth.
The Shaqtus scored just 3 points, but for the second time in 3 weeks, the Cavaliers pulled away from the Suns, winning big 109-91. It was similar to the 107-90 win the Cavaliers enjoyed at The Q in early December. It was the Cavaliers 2nd straight win in Phoenix - breaking the Suns' 19-game home winning streak.
I was pretty harsh on the Cavaliers last night after their lackluster effort in Dallas. Tonight is the reason. How can the Cavaliers look so bad, so disinterested one night only to come out on fire the next. It starts with LeBron James. James is the emotional leader, and when he brings it, the Cavs bring it. After scoring just 2 points in the 4th quarter last night, LeBron was ready right from the start.
James scored 10 points in the first 4 minutes, a variety of layups and power dunks that seemed to get him, and the team going. It was an example of LeBron at his best - using his penetration game to get his outside game going. Again, the team followed. LeBron led all scores with 29 points.
The Cavs didn't attempt a 3-point shot until midway through the 2nd quarter. They attacked the basket and kept the Suns on their toes. Phoenix doesn't want to play defense - they want you to hoise jumpers and get into a run-and-gun game. The Cavs weren't tempted tonight, thus won going away.
A tip of the cap to the Cavaliers perimeter defense. After allowing the Suns to shoot 3-6 from deep in the 1st quarter, the Suns managed only 1-13 the rest of the way. Steve Nash started the game with 8 points and 6 assists - but finished with just 4 more assists the final 3 quarters. In other words, the Cavaliers forced the Suns to play the way Cleveland wanted the game to go.
Delonte west was huge once again - 12 points/6 assists in 23 minutes - and once again proved that the Cavaliers most effective lineup has West at the point, with Mo Williams(24-6-5) playing off the ball. If West continues to improve, on and off the court, the Cavs could quickly regain their 66-win form.
A night after the 4-starters not named LeBron combined to score 29 points, Williams, Shaq, J.J. Hickson and Anthony Parker scored 44 points. The bench chipped in 36 points.
It was a solid win, and proved the Cavaliers really hate to lose. After playing very poorly last night, the Cavaliers responded and beat a very good team, who had been dominating on their home floor.
Up next, the Sacramento Kings - all they did was beat the Bulls after being down 35 points in the 3rd Quarter - on Wednesday Night.
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My thoughts exactly. It doesn’t make any sense. How can the Cavs kick the Suns around like footballs but cannot beat the Mavs without Nowitzki?
We had a lot of turnovers in the game against Dallas. I mean A LOT of turnovers.
I’m really nervous about Christmas Day. What chance do we have against the damn Lakers?
by WaveOcean on Dec 22, 2009 12:03 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Every team always has a chance
Especially for one game.
"This is not a game for boys. This is a game for men." - Phil Jackson
by Gils_Keloids on Dec 22, 2009 11:50 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Brian Windhorst was really impressed with the Cavs’ effort against the Suns last night. He has been critical of their performance the past couple weeks, even as they were winning, because the offense seemed to get bogged-down often with LeBron dominating the ball. But against Phoenix they passed well and got everyone involved. Hickson finally had a good game and it’s great to see West playing so much again. If he can keep this up then we’ll be a much better team going forward. This was a really big win for the Cavs, against a great team playing at home, and they needed it.
Let’s hope they can give the Lakers a good game on Christmas. If they look bad you know this place will get infested with Lakers fans talking trash again, telling us that LeBron isn’t very good and our team sucks, and I can’t stand any more of that.
by Buckeye Brad on Dec 22, 2009 7:40 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I might be crazy, but I recall seeing (I believe in the fourth quarter, but maybe it was the third) a point where Lebron started to slow down the offense by holding the ball (well dribbling actually) and then just throwing up an off balanced shot, and on the next possession Delonte West brought it up and although Lebron called for it early in the clock, West instead passed to a high posting Mo Williams that then led to a series of passes that resulted in someone cutting to the lane and an easy basket. I really liked that West changed it up a bit.
by hans on Dec 22, 2009 9:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Delonte is the key
When he plays like himself the Cavs are nasty. The team needs him to stay positive…there are reasons why everyone supports him is because he is a huge part of the team.
by Bellringer21 on Dec 22, 2009 8:31 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
EXACTLY!!
Delonte makes whoever is playing the other guard position a more complete player when he is on the floor…..In particular Mo becomes a more complete player with Delonte out there..
by cavslandrocks on Dec 22, 2009 10:20 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Shaq was not the reason the Suns failed to make the playoffs last season
Alvin Gentry already said that, Shaq was great for them last year, and he did everything they asked him to do. But the Suns, from day one of last season was already doomed because they chose an inexperienced Head Coach (he was only an assistant for so long) in Terry Porter. They can’t expect to have a winning season with a noob head coach. Second, Nash and the original Suns hated Porter and his new system. Nash and company didn’t want, or were unable, to play defense. Third, thye changed head choach mid-season, so they had to adjust to another system. Fourth, and most crucial, they lost Amare Stoudemire after the All-star break. It would be like the Cavs playinbg without LeBron, or the Lakers without Kobe. That was huge. But regardless, Shaq had an all-star performance for the Suns, leading them in scoring, rebounds, blocks and FG%.
by shaq_diesel on Dec 24, 2009 3:33 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Not like you dont (shouldnt) know this.
Delonte is the best man on your team (LeBron ego over)
If he takes the playoffs, off Mo and Lebron play the give and go with the the 48 min center (Shaq/Big Z) and get close.
If I wasnt a Lakers fan, I think this would suck except you traded for Shaq, and think LeBron is god.
by Svedish Chef on Dec 25, 2009 5:34 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
And fellas, most notably the cavs team… please get him sorted. He’s not some hack who is borderline, he’s an allstar with issues. I hear about the great mistake of Len Bias, Dont have him be another hole in what could have been.
by Svedish Chef on Dec 25, 2009 5:40 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
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