Message Sent; Cavaliers embarrass Mavericks, win 12th straight

by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Mar 29, 2009 3:38 PM CDT in 2008 Post-Game Reaction Comment 6 comments

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban puts his head down as the Mavericks play the Cleveland Cavaliers in the fourth quarter in an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 29, 2009, in Cleveland. The Cavaliers won 102-74. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

7 months ago: Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban puts his head down as the Mavericks play the Cleveland Cavaliers in the fourth quarter in an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 29, 2009, in Cleveland. The Cavaliers won 102-74. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

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60 wins? Check. 12-game winning streak? Check. Give LeBron James a 4th quarter off? Check.

The Cavaliers accomplished all those things and so much more on a nationally televised beatdown of the Dallas Mavericks 102-74. The final 'diff' was no indication of just how badly, how soundly the Cavaliers outplayed the Mavericks over the final 34 minutes.

It also does little to provide any type of indication as to how poorly the Cavs were playing over the first 14 minutes. Outplayed for most of the 1st quarter plus, the Cavs found themselves down by 15 points with 10 minutes to go in the 1st half. It was the biggest deficit the team had faced at home all season. The ABC crew made sure everyone knew that. Even after cutting the lead to 2 by halftime wasn't enough to shut the big mouth of Michael Wilbon in the studio who praised the Mavericks.

Those middle 20 minutes, from the 10 minute mark of the 2nd quarter to the 2 minute mark fo the 3rd, the Cavaliers outscored the Mavericks 54-21. It was as impressive a showing by the Cavaliers as we have seen all season, and the fact the Cavaliers did it for the world to see makes it that much better.

Perhaps this game, more than any other, is the final act of a MVP regular season for LeBron James. Not because of the scoring, but because of the way he set his teammates up, especially in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. LeBron scored 24 points, had 6 rebounds and an incredible 12 assists in just 31 minutes, spending the entire 4th quarter having a blast on the bench with his teammates.

The Cavs broke another team record, this time for consecutive wins in a season with 12 and added to their record for wins in a season, now at 60. The Cavaliers also improved to 25-4 against the Western Conference, best in the NBA.

Up next for the Cavs, another home game, this time against their possible 1st Round foe, the Detroit Pistons.

GO CAVS!

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Comments

Awesome display for a national audience today (although I was worried in hte first quarter).

And to get that cherry on top of the sundae … the Lakers just lost to Atlanta. So now the Cavs have a 2 game lead on the Lakers for HCA. Just a little breathing room, don’t take the foot of the gas though!!

by talonk on Mar 29, 2009 5:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I concur

With tough opponents like the Spurs, Boston and Orlando yet to play, they must stay focused. I would love to see them finish season with a 20 game win streak though.

Oh The People You Meet When Your Out of Ammo.........

by Juannieboy on Mar 30, 2009 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Game

I live in San Diego Ca. born and raised in Cleveland. Been a Cavs since the Arena on Euclid. So I have to argue everyday with lakers fans. Today the Cavs spoke for me quite well. One of the best turn around game ever. Infact I took a bet a when they were douwn 15. No fear No problem. one more thing 2000 points, 500 reb. 500 dimes and counting for the MVP Lebron James!

by isebi on Mar 29, 2009 5:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Is LBJ’s stats up there with Oscar Robertson for the season? Because that’s very impressive. Kobe or Wade can’t touch that.

by Ilamuku on Mar 29, 2009 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think the announcers were that bad at all. Pro-Cavs, if anything. I mean, when an 8 seed comes into your house and is beating you by 15, you deserve to get some business. I’m just glad the game turned out as well as it did.

I'm *always* in the driver's seat, cugino -- Chuck

by Turkmenbashi on Mar 29, 2009 10:39 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Sunday's game

I was on the phone, talking to my nephew about the Cav’s being down 15 points, and told him that the way that Dallas plays, i knew they couldn’t keep that up for 48 minutes. I knew that their point production would drop…reeaallllyy drop! The Cav’s went on to beat up on them like they stole something. Go Cav’s!!!!!

by Deejay on Mar 30, 2009 4:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs