NBA Titles aren't won in January. In fact, the NBA regular season can be considered largely irrelevent between Christmas and the All-Star Game in February. At least for teams that are that far above and beyond everyone, like the Cavs and Celtics. Both teams are right in that 'whatever' stage as they march toawards their 2nd matchup of the season this Friday at Quicken Loans Arena.
The Cavs have been struggling since barely beating the Wizards on Christmas Day. Sure, they have gone 3-2 in that stretch but they have looked mmuch more like the Cavaliers of 2007-08 that won 45 games that the team that was on pace to win nearly 70 just a couple week ago. Show starts, shoddy defense and bad turnovers have highlighted road losses to the Heat and Wizards, with this past Sunday being the worst of the worst. Yes, all the attention has been on the "Crab Dribble", but the Cavaliers shouldn't have been in that situation to begin with.
Luckily for the Cavs, who know how important having home court advantage will be come April, the Celtics have actually played worse. Losers of 5 of their last 7, the Celtics seem to be in a mid-season swoon that has the team so nervous they are looking at locker room killer Stephon Marbury. Now that is bad.
Last night it was an OT loss in Charlotte. That Cavaliers now officially, by percentage points, have the best record in the Eastern Conference. That should make Friday's matchup even mmore entertaining.
To be honest, neither team should really worry much about what is going on. The injury to Big Z is a concern for the Cavs, but they will have time after Z is scheduled to return to decide whether or not they need to find some front court help. This will also afford the Cavs the opportunity to give J.J. Hickson and Darnell Jackson extended playing time in some big games. No matter what, it should be fun.