While We’re Waiting… More MVP “Debate,” Cliff Lee and DA, and LeBron Showing the Skills
April 14, 2009Tribe Loses Again….Broken Record Edition
April 14, 2009Cavaliers 117, Pacers 109 (box)
Last night’s game had “trap” written all over it. The Cavaliers, were coming off of one of their biggest wins of the season (at least in terms of point differential). If any team is gnawing at the bit to have the post season start, it is the Cleveland Cavaliers. Previous games against the Pacers were ones to watch. Early in the year, the Cavs had to mount a fairly large comeback. Not long ago, the Cavs were upset by the team from Indy. Which is why it was very much in the realm of possibility to travel to Indianapolis and underestimate the competition.
But this didn’t happen. Though ending the first quarter down by one point and having a third quarter that left a little to be desired, the Cavs executed on both ends of the floor and effectively locked up home court advantage for the entire 2009 NBA playoffs.
LeBron James led the way for the wine and gold, finishing with 37 points, five rebounds and five assists, but the rest of the starters are not to be overlooked. Mo Williams notched 18 points (including three three-pointers) and eight assists – one on a fairly sick back door pass to James who went unchallenged and finished with a monster dunk.
Delonte West had an excellent game – possibly one of his best all-around games of the season – putting up 20 points on 6-of-13 shooting, six rebounds, four assists, three steals and a blocked shot. His defense was solid against Boston’s Ray Allen, and with Jarrett Jack turning the ball over five times, he was obviously instrumental in last night’s win.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Anderson Varejao both pulled down double-digit rebounds and blocked two shots a piece.
From Indy Cornrows:
As usual, Anderson Varejao was a menace for the Cavs. Each of his seven offensive rebounds seemed like back-breakers since there’s nothing more disheartening when a team his trying to get a stop and cut into the opponents lead.
If Ben Wallace misses any considerable time with his knee injury, Anderson needs to keep this play up for the front court to succeed.
Danny Granger (38 points) and Brandon Rush (27) had great games for Indy, but the Cavaliers won the rebounding battle 51-41, held the Pacers to 45 percent shooting, and managed to sink 85 percent of their free throws (29-of-34).
Kudos to the Pacers fans that were chanting “MVP” in the fourth quarter of the game. With the home court locked up, there is a good chance that we won’t see much of LeBron James (if any) on Wednesday for the final game of the season. I have a feeling that Mike Brown may not value that whole home court record as much as some others might. Especially since the downside (possible injury) is considerably larger than the upside.
Also kudos to LeBron James for his post-game quote regarding the “favorite” to win the East:
“It’s going to be Boston,” he said. “It goes like that every year. Until you knock off the NBA champs, that’s the team to beat. We worked hard for the regular season to get to the point where we’re at now, the home court. We must serve home in the playoffs like we did in the regular season.”
Season wraps up tomorrow night, kids. Getcha playoffs ready.
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(Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
17 Comments
I can’t imagine Lebron being ok sitting the whole game. I hope they treat this like any other game, and if they end up down 10+ points in the 2nd half, then throw in the towel, but not before the game please.
No way. I’d sit everyone and their mothers (that’s right, you too Gloria) for this game. Every time Delonte hits the deck (which seems to be happening more and more frequently – alarming) I cringe and find myself on the edge of my seat, hoping the way he gingerly moves his arm is not indicative of a re-break.
Bring on Kinsey, Sasha, Jawad and the gang. We have nothing left to prove, but everything left to lose…
…greed will destroy us.
The first time a Cleveland team has had home field/court advantage all the way through the playoffs since the 1964 Browns…
I don’t agree with that. Sit em. We’ve clinched the top seed and home court, so there’s no reason to play them. You give those guys some well earned rest and more importantly, reduce the risk of some freak injury. Another win doesn’t do anything for us in the grand scheme of things.
Believe me, I know that one game doesn’t reduce the injury risk that much, but this is Cleveland. I’d like to see them play it safe given this cities track record of heartbreak.
I start everyone because it is Fan appreciation night… but I would sit Bron, Mo, Z, Andy and Red for at least 20 + minutes this game and let Darnell, Wally and Booby lead the team in minutes so that everyone has some time off and injuries risk is lessened
But the fan’s deserve the playing time and the fact that they’ve been outstanding in supporting the team this year and kept the Q one of the toughest places to come in to for opposing teams
I know it’s early, but it’s time to pay Varajeo.
put up a poll! i say sit em, just have a party and have the team dance around, definitely give the fans something to be happy about.
I know it’s early, but it’s time to pay Varajeo.
Just had this conversation and agree completely. He’s not a starting center, but he is a starting power forward. I still hope he realizes what he has going on here and both sides can agree on a deal that makes everyone happy.
on a related note, im watching “the price is right” and one of the showcase prizes is lebron/cavs themed. they get cavs and lebron fat heads, a trip to cleveland, luxury suite for a first round playoff game, and motorcycle.
god bless drew.
Start LBJ, Boobie, Sasha/Wally, D-Block and Wright. Z shouldn’t dress, Andy should play a little, LBJ only 20 mins max, Mo and Delonte maybe 10 and the rest of the guys fill in.
GO CAVS!!!!
Assume LeBron, et al. want to play some on Fan Appreciation Night, so: Play starters one half, let them work up a sweat, then sit their butts down, regardless of score, trash talk on the floor or pleas to the coach. They’ll have a full half to make up a new dance routine.
And call a time out near the end of the half and have them all come out together to a standing-O, like Senior Night.
Anyone know who has the tiebreaker for the seven-seed between Philly and Detroit? I mean, I’d rather see the Sixers in the first round — and it looks like the Pistons and Sixers could end up with the same record, if Detroit beats Miami in their last game and Philly loses to Boston and Cleveland.
Would the possibility of missing Detroit in the first round be worth playing the starters tomorrow? *Is* that even a possibility?
Detroit has locked up the eight seed. Philly and Chicago are battling for six.
Wait, one of the prizes on the Price Is Right is a trip to Cleveland? Man, the economy must REALLY be bad.
If I’m Mike Brown, I’m playing the starters for half the first quarter, and half the third. Let’s not forget the playoffs are Saturday, and while rest is good, rust is not. Half of 2 quarters will keep them focused on what they need to do on both sides of the ball, and as it’s been said, it is fan appreciation night, so let us see LeMVP, Oh MO you didn’t, Wild Thing, D-West, and the Big Man In The Middle, then rest them up.
i also really liked lebron’s comments about the history of cleveland. he threw in everything from jordan’s shot to the drive to jose mesa when talking about how he doesn’t want to get ahead of himself in terms of taking anything for granted.