May 25, 2013

Cavaliers vs Rockets: Open Thread

December 9, 2009 by 28 Comments

Cavaliers vs RocketsLess than 24 hours ago the Cavs walked off the court in Memphis with a nasty taste in their mouths. Today they find themselves in Houston for an always tough match-up with the Rockets.

The first quarter could be very important tonight. We know that the Cavs have been getting off to solid starts this season, and with the OT game yesterday, coupled with Houston’s rest the Cavaliers might not have it in the tank to come back if they find themselves trailing big in this one. LeBron has been tremendous in the first quarter this season, but not in the scoring column. It is in first quarter assists that LeBron is King. In fact, Lebron has either scored or assisted on 48.8% of the team’s first quarter field goals. That’s a crazy stat! It is by far tops in the league. (Thanks Cavs media notes!)

Last season the Cavs and Rockets split the season series with each team winning on their home floor. The Rockets have the 4th best offense in the league statistically at scoring in the paint, while the Cavaliers boast the best defense against points in the paint. Of course, Memphis had the best offense in that category, and they certainly got to the basket against us.

Probable starters- for the Cavs: LeBron James, JJ Hickson, Shaquille O’Neal, Anthony Parker, Mo Williams.

For the Rockets: Shane Battier, Luis Scola, Chuck Hayes, Trevor Ariza, Aaron Brooks.

Injury report: (Let’s see if I can do better this time) for the Cavs: Leon Powe (knee) is out, Jamario Moon (groin) is doubtful. For the Rockets: Yao Ming (foot) is out, Tracy McGrady (knee, personality) is out.

Key match-ups: JJ Hickson and Andy Varejao against Luis Scola. Hickson was terrible against Randolph. Can he bounce back and handle Scola? Can Andy stay out of foul trouble? Mo Williams against Aaron Brooks. Mo has trouble against fast PGs. Brooks like to drive and dish. Can Mo keep in front of him?

Here’s hoping for a better showing tonight!

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  • jto

    That first quarter was pathetic. No wonder no one wants to comment tonight.

  • Natty The Dog

    I say it every F***ing night. GET RID OF SHAQ. HE is so WORTHLESS. He slows down the team, can’t play D, can’t shoot free throws, and takes the shots away from other players who are so important to get into a rythm.

    We can’t afford anything other than an “end of the bench” player next year. But will need 2 centers, a PF, and all star SG. Only way to get that is by trading Z or Shaq or both by the deadline and get lebron his guys finally.

    6 years later, and STILL waiting for Lebron’s running mate.

  • Natty The Dog

    Why not try starting Moon at the SG and let Parker come off the bench so we can atleast score here and there while Lebron is sitting and wondering when Danny Ferry will trade the two bums for some talent.

  • jto

    D West keeping us in it..

  • jto

    Mike Brown just got tossed. Trying to fire up the troops.

  • ManSleezee

    It’s amazing how bad Shaq looks on the second night of back-to-backs. He can’t even get off the floor. Chuck Hayes is what – seven inches shorter than him and is denying the rim. Putrid play.

  • http://www.waitingfornextyear.com/ Rick

    There’s some good conversation on twitter. @rickwfny @WFNYCraig @WFNYScott @DennyMayo

  • ManSleezee

    That was an awful turnover J.J. even for you.

  • ManSleezee

    Get Shaq off the floor. Giving us NOTHING.

  • Brick

    Haven’t been watching the game, but.. How is it possible that Boobie has played less than two minutes, yet his +/- is -11 and he has 3 fouls?

  • http://www.waitingfornextyear.com Denny

    @ Brick – efficiency.

    I haven’t been watching either, just a guess.

  • ManSleezee

    This is the worst the Cavs have played in a loooooooong time. I know it went to overtime last night, but come on!

  • Brick

    I say that takes talent.

  • jto

    As a team we have 2 blocks, 3 3-pointers, 4 made free throws, and 5 technical fouls!!!

  • ManSleezee

    Shaq, in his best move of the season, gets himself thrown out because the coaching staff wasn’t able to realize his presence was killing the Cavs.

  • mike

    not to blame the refs because the cavs arent playing that great, but this is the kind of reffing job that makes it seem tim donaghy spoke the truth.

  • Karsten

    All I can see is the Gamecast… HOW MANY offensive fouls have they called on us tonight? What the hell is going on here?

  • ManSleezee

    This is a total train wreck… What is going on with this team?

  • ManSleezee

    Maybe Brown shouldn’t have canceled practice before the Memphis game. Just a thought.

  • mike

    they have called ALOT of ticky tack calls against the cavs tonight and very few in the cavs favor – even when they get hacked.

  • ManSleezee

    I repeat: SHAQ IS GIVING US NOTHING. WHY IS HE PLAYING IN THIS GAME? DOES ANYONE ON THE CAVS COACHING STAFF HAVE A CLUE? WHY AM I SUBJECTING MYSELF TO THIS TORTURE? WHY??????

    why?

  • AMC

    Well I pointed it out in my comment in the thread about the Grizzlies game: the Cavs have now lost 7 games and they have lost them all in one of two ways: 1) build a double digit lead and then collapse down the stretch by playing LeBron on five and playing way too tight (see Boston, Chicago, Washington, Memphis); 2) comes out flat and/or careless, attempt to rally but ultimately come up short (see Toronto, Charlotte, Houston). I find both types of losses to be disconcerting quite frankly as I think both types show a general lack of a killer instinct. Given that they lost all 5 games in the Orlando series this way (games 1 and 4 in the first category, games 3 and 6 in the latter), this has to be disconcerting.

    No reason at all to hit the panic button – all teams are going to lose some games – but I think it’s going to be tough for this team to end up as a top 2 seed unless Boston starts suffering some major injuries. I guess the good news is that championships aren’t won during the regular season.

  • http://cursedcleveland.com cursedcleveland.com

    Can’t say some of us didn’t see this coming when it comes to Shaq.

  • Jackson

    There is Boston, Orlando, and LAL and then everyone else. This team is nowhere near those three teams. A trade must be made or we are done in Round 2 & LBJ is out of the door. We are $30M over the cap and still don’t have a legit 2nd All Star, what a joke. If LBJ leaves, the Cavs join our other two joke franchises at the bottom of their respective leagues..

  • hectorakacd

    If bron does leave he needs to take the team along wiith the clowns and tribe with him. Its just not worth watchiing all these teams that will never really compete for a title!

  • hectorakacd

    Let me also say I love the cavs, but right now this team is not championship caliber. Maybe Leon can help but Shaq is not the answer.

  • tim

    if lebron leaves, please take hectorakacd with you!

  • hectorakacd

    Tim don’t let my name come out your mouth. I’ve been out the city and wouldn’t come back if you paid me but I still love my teams as sorry as they may be.