Game #31 - Cleveland Cavaliers at Los Angeles Lakers Christmas Day Game Thread
by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 3:51 PM CST
in 2009 Game Previews
94 comments
Cleveland Cavaliers at Los Angeles Lakers, Dec 25, 2009 4:00 PM CST
2009/2010 NBA Regular Season
VS
23-4 22-8
December 25, 2009
ARCO Arena
5:00 PM et
Radio - WTAM 1100 / ABC HD
Probable starters:
Derek Fisher
PG
Mo Williams
Kobe Bryant
SG
Anthony Parker
Ron Artest
SF
LeBron James
Pau Gasol
PF
J.J. Hickson
Andrew Bynum
C
Shaquille O'Neal
Merry Christmas! If a full dy of food, fun and family isn't enough, a hearty helping of Cavaliers Basketball should be a great dessert. The Wine and Gold end their 4-game road trip with a holiday visit to Kobe and the Lakers.
Coming off one the best games of his career, 34/16/10 against the Kings, LeBron James looks primed and ready for the National TV showdown. The Lakers are ready too, having gone 16-1 over their last 17 games.
So, sit back, put another log in the fire and get ready for some Christmas Day basketball, Cavs-Lakers style!
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GAME NOTES -->
- Cleveland has won seven of their last eight games and entering today's game against the Lakers, the Cavaliers are 12-3 (.800) against teams that had at least a .500-record the day of the game. In facing Los Angeles, Cleveland is 9-3 (.750) against the Western Conference, including winning four or their last five games against interdivisional rivals. No team has been better against theopposite conference since the beginning of last season than the Cavaliers, who have gone 35-7 (.833). (Elias)
- Today's Christmas Day matchup is the Cavaliers' 10th in franchise history and the team is 5-4 (.556), including two straight wins.
- The Cavaliers and Lakers feature two of the league's top two scorers with Kobe Bryant (2nd at 29.3 ppg) and LeBron James (28.8ppg) as well as two of the NBA's top scoring duos with Bryant/Gasol second at 46.3 ppg and James/M. Williams third at 45.7 ppg.
- The teams are also two of the elite defensive teams as the Lakers lead the league in defensive field goal percentage at .424 while the Cavaliers rank 2nd in at .435. The Cavaliers are 4th in points allowed at 94.5 ppg, while the Lakers are 5th at 95.0 ppg. In defensive three-point field goal percentage, the Lakers lead the league at only .301 while the Cavaliers rank 5th at .322. Both teams are joined by the Celtics as the only teams that rank in the Top 5 in each of three defensive categories. The Cavaliers also allow an NBA-low of only 34.9 points in the paint and haven't allowed an opponent to shoot at or above .500 percent from the field in 20games, the NBA's longest active streak. (STATS, Inc.)
- The Cavaliers 117-104 overtime victory over the Kings was the seventh consecutive win and fifth straight at Arco Arena. LeBron James notched his second triple-double of the season with 34 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the Cavaliers. It was James',26th career triple-double and 15th on the road. Of the 12 other NBA players with at least 25 triple-doubles, the only other player with more on the road than at home is Larry Bird (24 at home, 35 on the road). It was James' second career game of at least 30 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists and since 1986-87, only Charles Barkley and Larry Bird have had two games with at least those totals. In the NBA, this game was also the first game a player achieved at least those totals since Vince Carter tallied 46 points,16 rebounds and 10 assists with the Nets against Washington on Apr. 7, 2007. (STATS, Inc./Elias)
- Over his last 10 games, James is averaging 32.0 points on .481 shooting, 8.0 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks. Athome, LeBron James averages 25.4 ppg (7th best), but on the road he averages a league-best 31.5 ppg. The +6.1 differential isalso a league-best in the NBA. James has also been very good against Western Conference teams over the last three seasons. Sincethe 2007-08 season, James leads the league with the highest scoring average at 28.6 ppg (2,028 points in 71 games). (Elias)
- Zydrunas Ilgauskas added a season-high 25 points and eight rebounds off Cleveland's bench including three three-pointers made allin overtime. Ilgauskas became the first player to make three three-pointers in an overtime since Walter Hermann on Apr. 8, 2007and the first Cavaliers since James did it in a second overtime on Jan. 24, 2007 vs. Philadelphia. (Elias)
- Against Sacramento, Mo Williams scored 27 points on 10-19 (.526) from the field and made three three-pointers. Williams ranks 13thin three-point accuracy at .439 and 3rd in three-point field goals made with 68. While being one of the NBA's best defensive teams,Cleveland is the league's best three-point shooting team at .423 and ranks 4th in the NBA in field goal percentage at .481. Twoother Cavaliers are the NBA's top marksmen as Anthony Parker ranks 1st at 47-93 (.505) and Daniel Gibson ranks 2nd at 38-77(.494) from behind the arc. While no teammates have ever finished the season ranked #1 - #2 in three-point percentage, they couldbe the first pair to lead the league through games of Dec. 31 (min. 25 3PM) since Utah's Bryon Russell (.500) and John Stockton (.490), who were ranked #1 - #2 in 2000-01 season. The Cavaliers are 20-2 (.909) when they shoot at least .450 from the field, 14-0 when shooting at least .420 from the behind the arc and 18-1 (.944) when hitting the century mark. (STATS, Inc.)
- The Cavaliers also lead the league in first quarter scoring at 29.0 ppg and shoot an NBA-high .561 from the field in firstquarters. The team has won a league-high 22 out of 30 overall first quarters by a league-best average margin of +3.9. The Cavaliers have topped the 30-point first quarter plateau in 15 games this season and scored at least 60 points in six first halves this season,which has led to Cleveland being 18-2 (.900) when tied or leading at halftime. (STATS, Inc.)
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Just like that, 4-0 Lakers. Cavs trying to get Shaq involved – but Shaq not hitting shots. Make it 6-0
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 4:26 PM CST reply actions
LeBron picking up where he left off from deep – 8-5 Lakers
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 4:28 PM CST reply actions
Early game jitters are over as the Cavaliers take a 1-point lead 9-8
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 4:31 PM CST reply actions
9-0 run for the Cavaliers quiets the Staples crowd.
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 4:32 PM CST reply actions
3rd dunk for Shaq in the first Q
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 4:32 PM CST reply actions
Shaq with a little bit extra for Pau Gasol. This one has the feel of the playoff game.
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 4:34 PM CST reply actions
I thought the Suns game was the most impressive I had seen in awhile – that is until today! Great job by everyone!
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 5:09 PM CST reply actions
This is a crucial time of the game. The Lakers are going to try and make a run before the half.
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 5:11 PM CST reply actions
Cavaliers bench – 17-2. Impressive
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 5:12 PM CST reply actions
Huge series there – Jemario Moon starts breaking while the ball falls right behind him – Derek Fisher hits the 3.
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 5:14 PM CST reply actions
Ron Artest has nothing for LeBron James.
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 5:14 PM CST reply actions
Lakers are beginning to get physical. Cavaliers need to match that and continue to attack the basket!
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 5:21 PM CST reply actions
Cavaliers are not raising their intensity – that is on Mike Brown and LeBron – they have to lead that charge
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 5:22 PM CST reply actions
Wow – just too long on the shot – good call.
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 5:27 PM CST reply actions
As it stands, halftime – Cavaliers lead by 9
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 5:29 PM CST reply actions
Cavaliers shooting 57%, but Lakers have taken 10 more FTs
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 5:30 PM CST reply actions
the question is who will step up for the Lakers?…how long can the kobe one-man show keep them in the game….he’ll need to rest sometime…when he does, the Cavs have to take advantage
Agreed. Cavs need to take smart shots too
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 5:50 PM CST up reply actions
I just posted that on yahoo…turnovers too
by cavslandrocks on Dec 25, 2009 5:52 PM CST up reply actions
Cavs start the 3rd Q with Z/Shaq – pay dividends right away with a rebound for Z, 3 for Mo Williams.
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 5:51 PM CST reply actions
Kobe Bryant is trying to win the game single-handedly
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 5:52 PM CST reply actions
LeBron missing from outside now…
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 5:52 PM CST reply actions
Too easy when the Cavaliers are simply shooting jump-shots.
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 5:53 PM CST reply actions
There was a time when Shaq wouldn’t have been called for that ‘foul’. Not any more.
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 5:54 PM CST reply actions
Mo Williams showing his value – LeBron has been off since missing that lob, so Mo is making the smart play
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 5:55 PM CST reply actions
19 points for Mo now…
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 5:56 PM CST reply actions
LeBron really struggling since that miss
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 5:57 PM CST reply actions
the difference in this game is and will be our “inferior” bench…Kenny Smith’s "analysis of the Cavs is really starting to bother me
by cavslandrocks on Dec 25, 2009 6:02 PM CST up reply actions
I’ve been hard on him in game threads but he seems to be stepping his game up on the D end and it’s helping his offense
Damn – Kone doesn’t get a T? The demonstrative arm swing followed by the ball spike.
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 6:01 PM CST reply actions
Kobe that is
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 6:01 PM CST up reply actions
it’s Kobe…how many fouls does he have?…one?
by cavslandrocks on Dec 25, 2009 6:03 PM CST up reply actions
That was a total and complete cheap shot by Kobe Bryant on Mo Williams. He knew he was there, knew Mo didn’t see him, and ran right into him.
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 6:05 PM CST reply actions
Definitely
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 6:07 PM CST up reply actions
That was Horrible! Just ran right into Mo
First they call off the T on Kobe..now they LET Kobe run thru Mo….crooked much!!?
"... You play to win the game. Hello? You play to win the game. You don't play it to just play it. That's the great thing about sports: you play to win..."
PATHETIC!
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 6:07 PM CST reply actions
I mean seriously..How can u not call refs crooked after they
Call of a BLATANT Tech foul on Kobe. He clearly spiked the ball and EVERYONE saw that! But it was on Fisher?? Then Kobe mugs someone…Come on man
"... You play to win the game. Hello? You play to win the game. You don't play it to just play it. That's the great thing about sports: you play to win..."
yep haha
"... You play to win the game. Hello? You play to win the game. You don't play it to just play it. That's the great thing about sports: you play to win..."
Time for LeBron to play angry and stop acting like he’s playing his friends out there.
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 6:12 PM CST reply actions
Agreed
"... You play to win the game. Hello? You play to win the game. You don't play it to just play it. That's the great thing about sports: you play to win..."
LEBRON FOR 3!
FInally!
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 6:13 PM CST reply actions
Dont u love the Whinning Lakers hahahha
"... You play to win the game. Hello? You play to win the game. You don't play it to just play it. That's the great thing about sports: you play to win..."
How many years has Z been in the League? And he gets called for 1 moving screen a game….
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 6:14 PM CST reply actions
This officiating is pathetic
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 6:14 PM CST reply actions
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW
Bad call
"... You play to win the game. Hello? You play to win the game. You don't play it to just play it. That's the great thing about sports: you play to win..."
Everyone against them, but they are still up by 16. Impressive.
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 6:18 PM CST reply actions
Definitely
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 6:24 PM CST up reply actions
I expect the Lakers to be in the bonus within 4 minutes
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 6:26 PM CST up reply actions
I like how the Cavs are playing through the terrible officiating and not letting it take them out of their game
by cavslandrocks on Dec 25, 2009 6:27 PM CST up reply actions
PHIL JACKSON IS BLAMING THE OFFICIALS???
Zen Master…LOL
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 6:27 PM CST reply actions
Everyone calls him a genius, but without Tex Winter, he’s just a CBA coach who never makes it…he’s lucky to have fallen into the situation at Chicago
by cavslandrocks on Dec 25, 2009 6:31 PM CST up reply actions
The Shaq/Z duo worked nicely today – really gave the Lakers trouble on both ends of the floor
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 6:36 PM CST reply actions
I know right
"... You play to win the game. Hello? You play to win the game. You don't play it to just play it. That's the great thing about sports: you play to win..."
James settling for a 3 on the fast break – perhaps the most impressive thing about this is how dominating the Cavs have been despite LeBron’s average game….
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 6:49 PM CST reply actions
and the Laker bench is supposed to be so good…give me a break
by cavslandrocks on Dec 25, 2009 6:51 PM CST up reply actions
More dirty play by the Lakers – this time Derek Fisher
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 6:50 PM CST reply actions
Fisher and Kobe do NOT need to be talkin right now
All the no calls they have gotten…and all the whinning!!!!
"... You play to win the game. Hello? You play to win the game. You don't play it to just play it. That's the great thing about sports: you play to win..."
Classy LA fans LOL
"... You play to win the game. Hello? You play to win the game. You don't play it to just play it. That's the great thing about sports: you play to win..."
Moon’s over LA! What a game for Jamario!
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 6:56 PM CST reply actions
In true Cavaliers fashion, they can’t finish a Qtr/Half/Game in solid fashion
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 6:58 PM CST reply actions
Moon has 13 points on 6/7 shooting
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 6:58 PM CST reply actions
Solid games in PHO/SAC and LA after that joke in Dallas
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by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 25, 2009 7:07 PM CST reply actions
his attitude is to punish the leaders by making them play while the crowd gets upset. I guess the scrubs dont deserve it but at the same time its not practical for a 30+ year old superstar to be playing 45 minutes when your team has the best record in the nba and you’re getting blown out.
by CavsLebronFan on Dec 25, 2009 8:12 PM CST up reply actions
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