Winning Streak(s) over, Cavaliers fall to Bobcats 91-88
Sloppy. In a word that is how the Cavaliers played tonight, from the beginning until the end - losing to the Charlotte Bobcats for the 2nd time this season, 91-88. The loss ends the Cavaliers winning streak at 7 games, and proved that even the most intelligent team in basketball can lose it's head every now and then.
Cleveland seemed to be running uphill all-night, never really out of the game bu never really in control of it either. Credit to the Bobcats, who hit big-shot after big-shot and came up with every hustle play - something the Cavaliers usually pride themselves on.
Even Anderson Varejao wasn't his usually self, going 1-8 from the field, grabbing just 4 rebounds. Varejao, who took the lead in the NBA's Plus-Minus category after yesterday's game in New Jersey, was a Minus-8 tonight.
LeBron James scored 29 points but got to the free throw line just 2 times as the team settled for perimeter jumpers instead of attacking the basket. Mo Williams was big as well, scoring 27 points. Most nights, it is an automatic W when Williams and James combine for 56 points - not tonight and the Cavaliers bench provided just 12 points overall.
Perhaps the best example to use when talking about this game is this - down a point with 9.5 seconds to go, the Bobcats inbounded the ball to Flip Murray. Murray is a 63% free throw shooter. For some reason, the Cavaliers allowed Murray to get rid of the ball before finally fouling Stephen Jackson - a 79% shooter. Jackson, of course, calmly hit both free throws.
A Lebron James 3-point attempt at the buzzer missed and the Bobcats won the game. The game left a bitter taste in my mouth and Larry Brown's squad has now outplayed the Cavaliers in Charlotte and now Cleveland - in games where it appeared Brown outcoached Mike Brown.
A couple days off for the Cavaliers before welcoming Washington to the Q on Wednesday Night.
GO CAVS!
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Are You Kidding Me
Can anyone explain how the Cavs can beat the good teams and lose to the ones that suck?
The Lakers have done it for years.
It’s called complacency and it’s better than the alternative. Besides we can’t beat Charlotte either. Just one game, don’t sweat it. Just beat the Celtics in the ECF so we can all have some fun in June.
Billy Mac: "Lamar, can you see yourself actually getting in the (boxing) ring"?
Lamar Odom: "No. My face is too pretty."
By the way
Very impressive blowout of the Mavericks. Huge turnaround from your last game against them. Is Gasol all right?
Yeah, the Lakers True Shooting % tonight was....74%.
That’s just ridiculous. Won’t happen again. As far as Gasol, who knows? Most people at SSandR are crying “the sky is falling” but I am not sure. Ultrasound tomorrow.
Personally I am not concerned. I think it forces others to step up and see what they are made of. In the long run it will help bench guys to get some run.
Billy Mac: "Lamar, can you see yourself actually getting in the (boxing) ring"?
Lamar Odom: "No. My face is too pretty."
With the exception of how I felt immediately following the ORL series, I try to be as level-headed as possible with the Cavs (not so much with the Indians). The Cleveland.com commenters on Windy’s game piece are about ready to commit seppuku. This is nuts. The Cavs have been playing better than any other team in the association lately. We can’t win every one. This is a classic example of needing to take it all in stride. If I was a betting man, I’d put down $1000 right now on a LAL/CLE finals (barring catastrophic injury).

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