Cavaliers Pull Away, Beat Boston 104-93
by Jeff at the BBC on Mar 14, 2010 5:41 PM CDT
in 2009 Post Game Recap
25 comments
Thank Heaven this game didn't come down to free throws. Cleveland missed 17 free throws Sunday afternoon, but the Cavaliers' hustle and desire made them unneccesary in a big win over the Boston Celtics, 104-93.
LeBron James dominated the game, scoring 30 points, dishing out 7 assists, and pulling down 8 rebounds. The stat sheet was filled with stars for Cleveland, which included;
- Antawn Jamison, 15 points and 12 rebounds
- Anderson Varejao, 17 points and 10 rebounds
- Mo Williams, 14 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists
- J.J. Hickson, 12 points
The Cavs won this game by outhustling Boston and wearing down the Celtics. By midway through the fourth quarter, they had taken a close game and blown it open to a 17-point margin. The aging Celtics couldn't keep up and their shooting suffered as a result of being tired. Boston missed their first 9 shots from the floor to start the fourth and never recovered.
25 comments | 0 recs |
Game #67 - Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavaliers Game Day Thread
by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Mar 14, 2010 1:30 PM CDT
in 2009 Game Day Thread
196 comments
2009/2010 NBA Regular Season
VS
41-23 51-15
March 14, 2010
Quicken Loans Arena
3:30PM
Radio - WTAM 1100 / ABC
Probable starters:
Rajon Rondo
PG
Mo Williams
Ray Allen
SG
Anthony Parker
Paul Pierce
SF
LeBron James
Kevin Garnett
PF
Antawn Jamison
Kendrick Perkins
C
J.J. Hickson
The Cavaliers and Celtics. National TV. Sunday Afternoon. Mid-March. Does it really get any better than that? The Celtics and Cavaliers renew their rivalry this afternoon at the Q. Both teams have won a game this season - on the other team's home court - after the home teams dominated this series over the past 3 or 4 years. The Celtics will likely have a bit of revenge on their mind after Cleveland turned an early 13 point deficit into a commanding 20-point win in Boston a couple weeks ago. Since then, the Celtics have played better basketball, despite an embarrassing home loss to the New Jersey Nets.
For Cleveland, I'm going to go ahead and guess the Antawn Jamison plays. Jamison was brought in to help the Cavaliers beat Boston and Orlando - if he has to sit against a team like the Pistons in order to play against the Celtics I am all for it. If Jamison doesn't go, Leon Powe will get his second start. Powe will likely have a little extra pep in his step going against his former team in a big game.
Some how, some way, the Cavaliers have to find a way to get in front of Rajon Rondo. Mo Williams struggled against Rondo big time in Boston which helped the Celtics get out to a big lead. The Cavaliers have to prove they can defend smaller guards or they will keep getting eaten up.
Cleveland has won 8 of their last 10, while the Celtics have gone 6-4 in the same span.
3-in the Key
1. At 51-15 (.773), Cleveland owns the NBA's best record and leads the league with highest point differential at +7.1. The team has won eight of their last nine games and is 25-7 (.781) in 2010, which is the best mark in that span. After going a league-best 66-16(.805) last season, the Cavaliers could become the first team since the Chicago Bulls in 1995-96 (72-10) and 1996-97 (69-13) to have sole possession of the best record in the regular season in consecutive years.
2. Cleveland owns the best home and road records in the NBA. At home, the Cavaliers are 28-4 (.875) and play nine of its remaining 16 games at The Q. The Cavs have won 26 of their last 28 home games and are averaging 105.4 points on .513 shooting, while holding their opponents to just 95.1 points on .438 shooting during that span. Since the start of the 2008-09 season, the Cavaliers are 67-6 (.918) at home, which is also an NBA-best. After being tied for the third best home record in league history last season at 39-2 (.951), the team is trying to hold the best home record in consecutive seasons for only the 14th time in NBA history and seventh time (five teams) in the last 35 years. The team's 100-95 victory on Friday over Philadelphia was the 14th road win in its last 19 road games, taking them to a league-leading 23-11 (.676) record away from The Q.
3. At Boston, LeBron James scored a game-high 36 points on 11-23 shooting (.478), seven rebounds and nine assists. James has averaged 37.0 points on .511 shooting, 5.5 rebounds and 8.5 assists in two games against Boston this season and his career average against the Celtics is 30.4 points. Only one player in NBA history has a higher mark against the Celtics: Michael Jordan at 30.7. Since 2003-04, no player in the NBA has recorded more 30+ point games against the Boston than James with 13.
196 comments | 0 recs |
Peripheral Vision - The Games To Watch for Sunday
by Jeff at the BBC on Mar 14, 2010 10:48 AM CDT
4 comments
Today's a big day for the Cavaliers. Not only do we have a high-profile game against the Boston Celtics at The Q, but there's other action that could directly benefit (or damage) us. That's what "Peripheral Vision" is all about - keeping an eye on the games and opposition that could most directly affect the wine and gold as we head down the stretch.
First, we'll take a look at the Eastern Conference Standings - only 8 of these 9 teams can advance to the postseason;
|
TEAM |
W |
L |
GB |
|
Cleveland |
51 |
15 |
--- |
|
Orlando |
47 |
20 |
4.5 |
|
Atlanta |
42 |
23 |
8.5 |
|
Boston |
41 |
23 |
9.0 |
|
Milwaukee |
35 |
29 |
15.0 |
|
Charlotte |
33 |
31 |
17.0 |
|
Miami |
34 |
32 |
17.0 |
|
Toronto |
32 |
32 |
18.0 |
|
Chicago |
31 |
34 |
19.5 |
There are only a few pertinent races left to pay attention to. Atlanta and Boston for third and fourth. Toronto and Chicago for 8th. The rest of the above teams are just jockeying for position. But if the day goes badly, the Cavs might still be in a scary race for first.
Take a jump below the fold, and we'll get into today's games.
4 comments | 0 recs
Peripheral Vision - Saturday's games to watch
by Jeff at the BBC on Mar 13, 2010 2:00 PM CST
2 comments
There's one month remaining in the NBA regular season, and there are precious few chances to make up any significant ground for the teams left in the chase.
The Eastern Conference has 9 teams with any prayer left to make the playoffs, so most teams are simply jockeying for position now. Here's what's left to watch for today in our region;
Orlando Magic at Washington Wizards, 7pm EST
Orlando has been unstoppable for the last three weeks, having won 7 games in a row. Their problem is that they haven't been able to gain ground on the Cavaliers, as they still sit five games out of first place in the East. The Magic needs all the stars to align to win the East, so they're probably content with capturing the 2nd seed. Washington should be no challenge for Orlando today.
Detroit Pistons at Atlanta Hawks,7pm EST
The Hawks are playing great basketball right now and are tied with Boston for the third seed in the East. They are probably content with allowing Orlando to win the division and focus their energy on holding off the Celtics, and with the way the Magic are playing, that's a wise thought. They are 4 games behind Orlando and 6 games ahead of 5th-seed Milwaukee. All that's left for Atlanta to fight for is whether they'll be third or fourth in the East. The Pistons should be dispatched easily today if they want that third slot.
Toronto Raptors at Golden State Warriors, 1030pm EST
Raptor fans, here's the bad news. You've lost 7 of 10 and slipped from the fifth seed to the 8th seed in just three weeks time. The good news? Chicago sucks worse than you are have fallen deeper, occupying the 9th slot in the East and a ticket home. Toronto has a two-game lead for the final playoff position, and they have to turn it around immediately. Their reward if they continue to flounder? Either a ticket home for the playoffs, or a date with the Cavaliers. Playing Golden State will show whether or not they're serious about their commitment.
2 comments | 0 recs
Former Cavalier Larry Hughes signs with Charlotte Bobcats
by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Mar 13, 2010 10:55 AM CST
in Cavaliers in the News
5 comments
The Charlotte Bobcats are currently tied for 6th in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. They added what they hope to be some help in order to finish the deal. The Bobcats came to terms with former Cavalier Larry Hughes on a contract.
Hughes was traded from the Knicks to Sacramento prior to the trade deadline. The Kings released Hughes after the trade. Hughes was suffering from a broken finger at the time, which prevented the Bobcats from signing him earlier. Hughes is expected to help the Bobcats make up for the loss of Flip Murray, who was traded to Chicago last month.
The Cavaliers lost 3 of 4 games to the Bobcats this season and the two teams could meet in the 1st Round of the NBA Playoffs this season.
5 comments | 0 recs |
Cavs escape Philadelphia with 100-95 win
by Jeff at the BBC on Mar 12, 2010 8:46 PM CST
in 2009 Post Game Recap
6 comments
Sometimes you win games that you should have lost. Tonight was one of those games.
Andre Iguodala scored 30 points for Philadelphia and Elton Brand added 24 to lead all scorers, but it wasn't enough as the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Sixers 100-95 at Wachovia Center Friday night. Philly did a lot of damage inside as they scored 66 points in the paint against one of the NBA's best defenses, but late shots would not fall as the Sixers dropped their 8th game out of their last 9.
LeBron James led the Cavs with 23 points and 10 assists, while Mo Williams added 21 points as Cleveland moved to 51-15 on the year, 5 games up on the rest of the Eastern Conference.
6 comments | 0 recs |
Game #66 - Cleveland Cavaliers at Philadelphia 76ers Game Night Open Thread
by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Mar 12, 2010 5:32 PM CST
in 2009 Game Day Thread
126 comments
2009/2010 NBA Regular Season
VS
23-40 50-15
March 12, 2010
Wachovia Center
7:00 PM et
Radio - WTAM 1100 / FSOhio
Probable starters:
Louis Williams
PG
Mo Williams
Jrue Holiday
SG
Anthony Parker
Andre Iguodala
SF
LeBron James
Elton Brand
PF
Leon Powe
Samuel Dalembert
C
J.J. Hickson
It seems like forever since the Cavaliers played a basketball game. In NBA circles, getting 4 days off in mid-March is forever. The rest came at the perfect time. LeBron James was able to take a week off and only miss 2 games. Antawn Jamson will sit tonight, giving him 6 days off between games. He hopes to play Sunday against the Celtics. All the bumps, bruises and finger injuries - Mo Williams and Anthony Parker -should be feeling much better. Oh yea, #23 returns to the lineup and he should be filled with energy.
The Cavaliers, undermanned from top to bottom, beat the Spurs on Monday night. It was the type of win that can give everyone on the roster, from #1 to #15, the confidence necessary to finish the season and head into the playoffs. It was the 50th win of the year for the Cavaliers - the first team in the NBA to win 50 games this season. That is significant too. The past two years, the team that got to 50 wins first has won the NBA Championship. Boston did it in 2008, the Lakers did in 2009. Can the Cavs make it 3 straight years?
3-in the Key
1. At 50-15 (.769), Cleveland owns the NBA's best record and leads the league with highest point differential at +7.2 and has won seven of their last eight games and is 24-7 (.774) in 2010, which is the best mark in that span. With Monday's win over San Antonio, the Cavaliers became the NBA's first team to win 50 games this season and a playoff spot. It's the first time in franchise history that Cleveland has been the first NBA team to reach 50 wins in a season and the fourth time in the last five seasons they have reached the 50-win mark: (2005-06, 2006-07, 2008-09, 2009-10).
2. The Cavaliers have won 13 of its last 18 road games and at 22-11 (.667), their road record is tied for the best (Boston) in the NBA. LeBron James leads the league this season in scoring on the road at 31.0 ppg.
3. Cleveland has defeated Philadelphia six consecutive times at the Wachovia Center, outscoring the 76ers 100.8-94.2 and outshooting them .478-.458 in those games. In the Cavs win on Dec. 16, LeBron James tallied 36 points, six rebounds, seven assists, three steals and one block. With Philadelphia leading 94-90 midway through the fourth, the Cavaliers held the 76ers to one field goal in the final five minutes to close out the game.
126 comments | 0 recs |
Antawn Jamison out tonight, Leon Powe gets the start
by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Mar 12, 2010 12:58 PM CST
in Cavaliers in the News
10 comments
Cavaliers F Antawn Jamison is out of tonight's game against the 76'ers after not travelling with the team. Leon Powe will get his first start at PF. The Cavaliers are still listing Jamison as Day-to-Day with left knee stiffness. Jamison had hoped to play tonight, but has stated he would be ready to go for Sunday's afternoon game against the Celtics at The Q.
10 comments | 0 recs |
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