Preview: Raptors at Cavs, January 19th
2010-01-19
Relevant Statistics:
Pace: Raptors 95.4 (13th) vs. Cavs 93.3 (28th)
Offensive Efficiency: Raptors 108.1 (4th) vs. Cavs 108.1 (5th)
Defensive Efficiency: Raptors 109.5 (30th) vs. Cavs 100.4 (4th)
Notes:
-The Raptors have been hot over their last 10 games, but they still have the worst defense in the league. Cavs shouldn’t be afraid to try and score the ball in this one.
-Every possession Hickson guards Chris Bosh is asking for trouble.
-Last time these two teams played, the Cavs were still trying to use Shaq to set screens out on the perimeter. As a result, they got the worse of the Bargnani/Shaq mismatch. Let’s see if they’ve adjusted how they use Shaq for this one. A good measuring stick game for Shaq tonight.
-Jose Calderon does not play defense. An opportunity for Mo Williams to get out of his recent semi-funk tonight.
Recommended Reading:
Anyone see Shaq’s tweet about the dunk contest? I love that guy. He and LeBron really are perfect teammates for eachother because both of them have fun playing the game. I know people use that same fun to take shots at them as not being serious or w/e…but I like it.
Good win by the Cavs. Raptors are dangerous and were pretty hot for most of the game. Hopefully the Cavs get geared up for the Lakers.
I love that Calvin and Hobbes pic too.
Krolik- sorry we couldn’t meet up to watch the Cavs game in Vegas. The good news is I keep telling my buddies to read your blog, which I say is now required reading (along with Windy, of course) for any Cavs fan. Keep up the good work- let’s bring the A game Thursday night.
@paullev7
Positives: 1. Shaq. Shaq in the post. Shaq passing. Shaq scoring. Shaq in the 4th quarter. Shaq giving hard fouls instead of softies (more on that). All of it was good from Shaq. 2. Hickson. I know, you will look at the boxscore and say no way. But imo, this was HIckson’s best defensive game of the season..which isn’t great, but it’s good news at least. 3. Mo was Mo again. He started to snap out of it in L.A. and it had nothing to do with making shots (only 7-17 in LA). It just a swagger and confidence thing… Read more »
NBA TV caught a nice 3 man play between Mo, Lebron and Shaq that they ran twice in a row and converted on both times. Nice win, but weird to see the Raptors run down the floor for layups all night long.
Did anyone else just catch the “Shaqage Deal” comment? Hilarity, and not even from AC!
I’m pretty surprised that with less than 5 minutes left in the game we’ve still been using our offense to score, and not just the LeIso. Shaq has looked good, Andy had a nice cut to the rim, Delonte went coast to coast, we’re looking pretty good going into the last minute right now…
*crosses fingers*
The Cavs just can’t seem to hold on to the ball. Sometimes I wonder how this team is 32-11 when they turn it over so much.
Here’s another relevant question…. why is the picture for this preview against the Raptors of a Tyrannosaurus in a plane?
Has J.J. Hickson made a jumpshot in the last two months? Legitimate question. I don’t remember him making one.
Well aint this some bull… because my school is closer to Columbus than it is Cleveland, I wont get the Cavs game on TV tonight…. Im gonna have to figure something else out (God, I hate hockey….)