Quick Notes:
-Hornets are scary. They gave the Cavs a real test last time, Chris Paul is back, and the Cavs are on the road. Far from an easy game.
-Keep Marcus Thornton out of the transition game.
-This should be the game Z returns. Get excited.
-Your recommended reading is Hornets 24/7 and At The Hive. See you after the game.
Relevant Statistics:
Pace: Cleveland 93.3 (25th) vs. Chicago 96.0 (9th)
Offensive Efficiency: Cleveland 109.3 (3rd) vs. Chicago 100.2 (27th)
Defensive Efficiency: Cleveland 101.1 (7th) vs. Chicago 103.3 (11th)
Notes:
9-game losing streak for Chicago coming into this game. If the Cavs play hard, it should be a TCB-type situation. One thing that worries me is that the Bulls’ anemic offense does revolve around deep twos, which is the shot the Cavs are the worst at defending. That said, with Rose and Deng out, the Bulls shouldn’t be able to do too much damage from the 18-22 foot range.
Oh yeah, no Noah either for the Bulls. The Cavs really should win this one.
Recommended Reading:
Relevant Statistics:
Pace: Indiana 99.9 (2nd) vs. Cleveland 93.3 (25th)
Offensive Efficiency: Indiana 99.6 (28th) vs. Cleveland 109.3 (3rd)
Defensive Efficiency: Indiana 104.6 (17th) vs. Cleveland 101. (7th)
Notes:
-The Pacers like to run but aren’t particularly good at it — this should be a fun one for the small-ball Cavs, although they can’t fall asleep and give up wide-open opportunities in transition.
-I wish Telfair was active for this one.
-The Pacers are playing the second game of a back-to-back, and had the Bobcats last night. Hopefully the Bobcats wore them out a bit.
Recommended Reading:
Relevant Statistics:
Pace: Cavs 93.3 (25th) vs. Pistons 91.3 (29th)
Offensive Efficiency: Cavs 109.1 (3rd) vs. Pistons 101.3 (24th)
Defensive Efficiency: Cavs 101.0 (7th) vs. Pistons 107.4 (24th)
Notes:
There shouldn’t be a problem here for the Cavs. Last time the Pistons got off to a hot start, but it was more due to them making all their long jumpers than it was about them outplaying the Cavs. However, the Cavs could have problems if they get off to another bad start against this team on the road.
Recommended Reading:
Game’s starting nowish. The 76ers are openly tanking but have good athletes and have played well against really good teams. Powe starting in place of Antawn. Here’s me doing a preview chat over at Philadunkia. I will be living the dime.
Relevant Statistics:
Pace: Cleveland 93.4 (25th) vs. Milwaukee 94.9 (15th)
Offensive Efficiency: Cleveland 109.4 (2nd) vs. Milwaukee 101.7 (23rd)
Defensive Efficiency: Cleveland 101.0 (7th) vs. Milwaukee 100.9 (6th)
Notes:
This game worries me. Bogut is easily the best center the Cavs have gone up against without Shaq or Z. Cleveland’s on the second night of a road back-to-back. Milwaukee’s won seven of their last eight, and the one loss was in overtime against the Hawks. What’s more, that eight-game stretch has included five road games and three back-to-backs. This game is a serious test for the Cavs.
The key will be stopping Bogut. Throw double-teams, don’t let him get easy baskets on the pick-and-roll, go under the screen on Jennings and force him to slingshot in jumpers. Jennings has also struggled to finish at the rim, so it’ll be important for the Cavaliers to contest his drives.
The less time Luc Richard Mbah a Moute gets to guard LeBron straight-up, the better. He’s a beast on that end of the floor.
Luke Ridnour has been having the best season of his career this season. He’s been automatic on long jumpers, so the Cavs can’t take a nap on him when he checks into the game.
Recommended Reading:
Cavs get the worst team in the NBA today. As the Celtics now know, they’re not to be slept on, but this should still be an easy win. Look for the small lineup to gain more confidence by pushing the ball and hanging another gaudy total on the Nets. It’s an open thread, so enjoy yourselves and don’t spill anything.
Relevant Statistics:
Pace: Cavs 93.2 (25th) vs. Knicks 96.1 (7th)
Offensive Efficiency: Cavs 109.1 (2nd) vs. Knicks 103.9 (15th)
Defensive Efficiency: Cavs 101.4 (7th) vs. Knicks 107.4 (25th)
Notes:
-Quickly: LeBron is the Player of The Month. Again. Up to six in a row. Also, Boobie out for “personal reasons.”
-Another game where going small won’t be the worst thing in the world for the Cavaliers. The Cavs should be able to beat the Knicks at their own game in this one, especially if LeBron does what he usually does against the Knicks.
-I really like Sergio Rodriguez. He’s not a starter on any team, but he can hurt the Cavs if Mo Williams doesn’t play some defense.
-T-Mac’s going to take a lot of bad shots. He’s capable of hitting some of them. AP should be able to keep him from doing any real damage with his scoring. Watch out for his passing, though.
-Key matchup could be David Lee vs. whoever’s guarding him. He’s fairly strong and fairly quick, but not overwhelming in either area. Where he’ll hurt you is when he gets into the paint and can use either hand.
Recommended Reading:
-I will be living the dime. Come and drop by.
Now I want to try and throw a car. That right there is a pregame song.
Relevant Statistics:
Pace: Cavaliers 93.2 (25th) vs. Celtics 94.0 (22nd)
Offensive Efficiency: Cavaliers 108.7 (4th) vs. Celtics 104.6 (13th)
Defensive Efficiency: Cavaliers 101.2 (7th) vs. Celtics 99.1 (1st)
Notes:
As you can see, rumors of the demise of the Celtics D have been greatly exaggerated. Moving the ball and getting some scoring will be critical if the Cavs want a win.
I haven’t seen enough of KG since he’s come back from his knee injury. If he’s anywhere near 100%, his mobility and length will make him a nightmare for Jamison. If he’s moving as badly as I’ve heard, Antawn could give him fits out on the perimeter.
Rondo is not the guy you want to be facing if you’re trying to get your shot back. He does tend to over-help, so Mo might find himself free for some open threes.
Perk vs. Shaq will be fun, but not pretty.
No Pierce for the Celtics tonight, which is a huge break for the Cavs. If it gets close, they just have to trap Rondo hard on the pick-and-roll, recover to Allen, and dare someone else to beat them.
Nate Robinson, when he’s on his game, is a grown-up Marcus Thornton. Watch out for him.
Storyline to watch: Leon Powe making his Cavs debut against his former team.
Recommended Reading:
Relevant Statistics:
Pace: Hornets 94.8 (17th) vs. Cavs 93.2 (25th)
Offensive Efficiency: Hornets 104.5 (13th) vs. Cavs 108.6 (4th)
Defensive Efficiency: Hornets 105.1 (18th) vs. Cavs 101.2 (7th)
Notes:
-The key matchup tonight is Mo Williams vs. Darren Collison. The UCLA rookie has been enjoying an insane month, averaging 20.7 points and 8.8 assists in February. He’s scored 24 or more points in five of his last six games. Meanwhile, Mo looked sluggish and out-of-whack on both ends against the Magic. If Mo’s back, things should be good.
-Hickson may be out tonight, and Jamison is getting the start. It was probably the right move to put him in the starting lineup even if Hickson was good to go. Also, tonight might be Leon Powe’s first appearance. (Update: Hickson has been medically cleared, according to Bob Finnian.)
-David West playing pick-and-pop should be a good test for how Jamison’s going to do in Mike Brown’s help-and-recover system. He also has to keep West off the line. West has shot 28 free throws in the Hornets’ last two games, both wins.
-Don’t leave Peja.
-The Hornets don’t defend the paint or the three-point line very well at all. We’ll see if the Cavs can get back to their offensive gameplan against this team.
Alright, that’s all for now. Let’s see if the Cavs can end this losing streak tonight.
