| 2009/2010 NBA Regular Season | ||
|---|---|---|
 | VS |  |
| 6-53 | 47-14 | |
| March 3, 2010 | ||
| IZOD Center | ||
| 7:30 PM et | ||
| Radio - WTAM 1100 / FSOhio | ||
| Probable starters: | ||
| Devin Harris | PG | Mo Williams |
| Chris Douglas-Roberts | SG | Anthony Parker |
| Trenton Hassell | SF | LeBron James |
| Yi Jianlian | PF | Antawn Jamison |
| Brook Lopez | C | J.J. Hickson |
The New York swing for the Cavaliers finishes up tonight in New Jersey. The Cavaliers beat up on the Knicks at The Q on Monday night, but the Nets have given the Cavaliers trouble this year, at least for a team that has only won 5 games.
This year, the Cavaliers have beaten the Nets all three times, but a look at the scores - 99-89, 94-86 and 104-97 - is not exactly the way you'd expect a team that is 33-games over .500 would play against a team that is 47-games under .500.
The NBA is all about match-ups, of course, and the Nets do give the Cavs fits in some areas. Tonight those matchups will be put to the test. Brook Lopez is a true back-to-the-basket center and his size will give the Cavaliers fits - whether it be J.J. Hickson or Anderson Varejao.
The Nets will be without one piece that gives the Cavaliers fits, however. Courtney Lee is out of the game with a sprained ankle. The Cavaliers should be able to win this game easily.
3-in the Key
1. At 47-14 (.770), Cleveland owns the NBA's best record and lead the league with highest point differential at +7.3. The team is 21-6 (.778) in 2010, which is the best mark in that span. In addition to owning the best home record at 26-4 (.867), the Cavaliers have won 12 of its last 16 road games and at 21-10 (.677), their road record is also the best in the NBA. LeBron James leads the league this season in scoring on the road at 31.1 ppg.
2. Against the Nets, the Cavaliers have won seven straight games including three consecutive contests at the IZOD Center.
3. LeBron James, finished with a game-high 22 points on 9-17 (.529) shooting, seven rebounds, seven assists, two steals and two blocks. He scored 14 of his 22 points in the first quarter and averaged 18.7 points in the first quarter in three games against the Knicks this season. Overall, he averaged 34.0 points on 38-65 shooting, 7.7 rebounds and 8.0 assists in 37.0 minutes in the season series. This season, James is averaging a league-leading 29.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, 8.5 assists (6th), 1.0 block and 1.6 steals. James is the only player in the league to have at least 400 rebounds, 500 assists, 100 steals and 50 blocks this season