Cavs Preview #9: Cavs at Miami Heat
Cleveland Cavaliers (5-3) vs
Miami Heat (6-1)
AmAir Arena, Miami, FL
Thursday, November 12, 2009
8:00 PM EST
TNT
Coming off of a big win against the sinister Orlando Magic, the Cavs look to finish off the Florida back-to-back with a win against the Miami Heat. Good news is, with this nationally televised broadcast, there will actually be another free agent to discuss instead of LeBron James. James, on night two of his “no more free agency” talk, will likely welcome the addition of Miami’s Dwyane Wade into the fold; a deflection of sorts.
Despite sputtering out of the gate and the world almost coming to an end, the Cavs have now won six of seven games. The Heat, on the other hand, are looking to break a franchise record by starting off 7-1. There will also be another story line that will likely get some airplay as Shaquille O’Neal visits the city that provided him with his last championship ring. Let the drama commence!
Projected Starting Lineups
Cleveland Cavaliers:
-G Mo Williams (17.3 ppg, 4.3 apg, 0.8 spg, 15.86 PER)
-G Anthony Parker (9.5 ppg, 2.3 apg, .545 3P%, 9.84 PER)
-F LeBron James (26.3 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 8.0 apg, 30.37 PER)
-F JJ Hickson (2.5 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 0.0 bpg, 4.08 PER)
-C Shaquille O’Neal (11.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 1.8 bpg, 16.95 PER)
Key Reserves: Anderson Varejao, Delonte West, Daniel Gibson, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Jamario Moon
Injuries: Leon Powe (out)
Miami Heat:
- Mario Chalmers (9.9 ppg, 4.9 apg, 2.4 spg, 14.88 PER)
-G Dwyane Wade (29.9 ppg, 4.9 apg, 1.9 spg, 27.66 PER)
-F Quentin Richardson (9.0 ppg, 1.6 apg, .419 3p%, 11.01 PER)
-F Michael Beasley (12.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 0.6 bpg, 13.01 PER)
-C Jermaine O’Neal (13.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.1 bpg, 16.99 PER)
Key Reserves: Daequan Cook, James Jones, Udonis Haslem, Jamaal Magloire
Injuries: None of note
Previous Matchups
None
Future Matchups
- Mon, Jan 25 at Miami
- Thu, Feb 4 at Cleveland
Game Notes
The Cavaliers/Orlando Magic game was supposed to feature a ton of focus on the frontcourt play. With Shaquille O’Neal getting Dwight Howard in foul trouble, and then shortly following him to the bench along with Zydrunas Ilgauskas, it was the backcourt play of Mo Williams and LeBron James that led the way.
Conversely, it was the backcourt play of Dwyane Wade that singlehandedly topped the Washington Wizards with the All-Star guard dropping 41 points on 14-of-29 shooting. On top of his scoring efforts, Wade has put up six steals and four blocks in the last three contests. Likely drawing the most of the defensive duties on Wade will be Anthony Parker; we will find out shortly before game-time if Delonte West will be suiting up as he was inactive last night.
Though Miami is 6-1 this season, the Heat have only mustered three postseason wins since the departure of Shaquille O’Neal. The big man will lock up with another well-traveled veteran in Jermaine O’Neal who has managed to stay healthy for seven straight games.
Second year players Michael “Supercool Beas” Beasley and Mario Chalmers both provide Wade with solid complementary pieces that should only get better through time. Chalmers is not as much of an offensive threat – a positive for Mo Williams – but will likely provide more of a challenge on the defensive end than Mo experience with Jameer Nelson. The Quentin Richardson-James match-up will be one to watch; I would not be surprised to see Wade matched up on James, and vice-versa, at points in the game as Parker may be more suited for the long-range Richardson.
Those looking for a Twin Tower update will be glad to know that when Jermaine O’Neal is paired up with Udonis Haslem, Mike Brown may consider going with the two big men as neither Heat player offers much from the outside. Beasley, however, could provide some matchup issues if guarded by a slower big man.
Oh, and did you know that Dwyane Wade is a free agent at year’s end? And he’s from Chicago. Loves Chicago, actually. Chicago, Chicago, Chicago.
Vegas Line
Even
Over/Under 180
From The Outside Looking In
The Peninsula is Mightier
Sun-Sentinel (Ira Winderman)
Next Game For The Cavaliers
Saturday, November 14th
7:30 PM EST
Utah Jazz at Cleveland
FSN/WTAM
November 12th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
That’s ‘Second year players Michael “Supercool Beas” Beasley and Mario “Super Nintendo” Chalmers’, right?
November 12th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
I get your Simpsons reference and appreciate it’s excellence.
November 12th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Is it also possible that LeBron called an end to fielding questions about free agency not because he was afraid of Wade revealing something that they had planned (secret meeting this summer), but instead because he was pissed that his good friend was adding more fuel to the fire for the media who constantly ask those questions? I mean, for LeBron, it could be one thing if the free agency questions stem directly from comments that he himself makes, or from articles written about the issue, etc. But it could be something else if someone he’s very close to is taking it in a different direction than where he wanted it to go (it wouldn’t be about LeBron hinted at this or that, but instead about D-Wade hinted at this or that in regards to LeBron). Maybe he just snapped because he didn’t appreciate Wade’s comments. But who knows. It was long overdue, and hopefully he’ll stick to it now. Of course, this won’t stop certain media sources from continuing to talk about it, but at least it won’t be because of something LeBron said.
And at first glance, Beasley’s tat looks like a Super Troopers reference. “Cool beans!”
November 12th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Oh, and Dwayne Wade is totally going to Chicago. Book it.
November 12th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Hey Heat, lame called and it wants its logo back.
November 12th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Cleave, the Cartoon Network one was solid. This one? Weak.
Besides you could’ve went with, “Hey Miami, NBA Jam called, it wants its logo back.”
Can’t hate on a logo that is a permanent homage to one of the greatest video games ever.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
“He’s heating up”
November 12th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
A great pregame when Michael Jackson, Tito Jackson, Brady Quinn, Jabba the Hut, Brian Sipe, Leroy Hoard, and Ernest Byner are all mentioned in the same conversational thread.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
“The nail in the coffin!”
November 12th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
And Sarah Palin, Tina Fey, and Sammy Sosa.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Bron looks primed to have one of those awful shooting games. Couldn’t even finish that And-1. Eek.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
I hope Shaq floors Wade at some point this game. LeBron should’ve destroyed that from behind on Wade too.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Cavs seem disinterested here in last few minutes
November 12th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Wow Wade gets a lot of calls.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Z is worthless. Please play Hickson.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
LeBron>Wade.
November 12th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
“Is it the shoes?!”
November 12th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
Why did he just pull Hickson?
November 12th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
Mo Williams is a terrible defender.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:02 pm
You can tell they’re in Miami from the refs…
November 12th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Please take Z out. Please. Put him down. God. He is so bad.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
It’d be nice if someone had shown up to play, from Z to Boobie to Lebron.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
What was Z trying to do, spinning right into the defender? And that was foul #14 called on the Cavs right there.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
I said it last night and I’ll say it again…(as sad as it is to say)….Z’s greatest value to this team is as an expiring contract trading chip.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
I retract my previous statement about Lebron. It would still be nice if Z or Gibson had shown up.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
If you think of fouling Wade, while sitting on the bench, they’ll call it on you.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
I hate inbound plays on a short shot clock when LeBron passes the ball in. Give him the ball directly, with someone else throwing it in.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
That’s one of my least favorite Lebron plays. The “I was lazy on my rotation so decided to switch even though the coach told us not to but I told you to in the spur of the moment and now I’m going to yell when the guy left open hits a completely uncontested 19 footer” play.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
I hate having to mute a decent speaker system just so I don’t hear more about Lebron and free agency.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
If you’re going to foul Wade, get your money’s worth, knock him down. He’s going to get the call even if you block his shot cleanly, so make sure he doesn’t get an and-1.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
Why would anyone want to play in Miami? The fans show up like halfway through the second quarter.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
Z = atrocious
November 12th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
Z is beyond worthless.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Baron Davis has an unexpectedly compassionate sounding voice.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
The sooner we trade him the better.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
At least Z knows how to foul Wade in Miami.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Why would anyone want to go to Cleveland right Marv. I mean there are no prostitutes to bite on there.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Yep, absolutely impossible for two superstars to come to Cleveland. Ugh this season is going to be painful, listening to this every nationally-televised game.
November 12th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
What color blue is that on that suit?
November 12th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Where do we sign up for Stephen Jackson’s contract?
November 12th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
It’s nice to see Lebron and his Phoenix Suns really take it to the Wade-led Dallas Mavericks on offense this Thursday night game. Defense anyone?
November 12th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Lethargic + fans in MIA suck. Where are they?
November 12th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
all these oops are Mo’s fault.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
JJ! Yes. Exactly what he needed.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
JJ shows the ball way too early when he goes to dunk.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Miami will lead this game 81-80. Z is the new Donyell Marshall.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
wade gets away with over the back on andy
November 12th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
looks like starting JJ is paying some dividends. For the first time.. he looks involved in the offense, rather than lost. “Z is the new Donyell Marshall” haha
November 12th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
wade with 17 free throws in 3 quarters. david stern should be ashamed of himself.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
the league really has to change the jump into the defender to get the foul call
November 12th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Wade is the new Tom Brady.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
Wade and Arenas are the most bs people in the
league using that ” I jumped into you so that’s a foul”. You can
substitute a pushoff for jumping into someone as well.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
They are really calling whatever they can to get us into the penalty
November 12th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Well, we are winning so no complaints there…but I would have expected this score at the end of the game, not at the end of the 3Q. THe D needs to clamp down.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
Hix/Moon look great. Ahhh, youth.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
The defense is not playing that badly, geez. Wade has shot 19 FTs. Half of which were bogus. And they have been raking jumpers.
There have been very few layups or easy baskets.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
@Jack…I have to agree with that…just the score is an anomoly. It sure doesn’t seem like a 112-104 game (which it may end up being). Nothing like a free throw contest…
November 12th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
Hickson is the man.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Except for showing the ball for a half hour when he goes to finish.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
No contact gets Wade to the line, but LeBron gets mugged and no whistle. I hate the NBA.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Thank god the real refs are here this season.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Zero contact with a human on that last one. But the net brushed him.
November 12th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
Alot of missed open threes by Parker this game. But a nice dagger by bron
November 12th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
Maybe not a dagger so much as he grabbed him the Heat and is now holding dagger to their throat. Still time for a solar plexus elbow and narrow escape.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
I prefer the slashing and drawing a foul to dribble for 20 seconds and tough jump shot.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
Awww. Love when Lebron whispers sweet nothings into Wade’s sweaty ear. What an embrace!
November 12th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
Great confidence game for Moon and Hickson. Mo continues his Joe-mentum. The Florida sweep is just was Dr. Carr ordered for the Cavs.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
I was impressed with Hickson tonight. It was the most controlled I’ve seen him play ever. I think the front court is where it is at for this team this year, which is fine with me. THe backcourt may suffer with D’West’s issues, but Mo is still Mo, and if we make it up with improved speed, size, and scoring on hte front line, then no issues, and I think better in the long term. It is much harder to stop a strong frontcourt than a backcourt that relies more so on jump shots.
November 12th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Woot. I’m not going to lie, that was a thoroughly enjoyable game today. If JJ, Mo, and Shaq keep playing like they have the last two, the Cavs will have a heck of a year. And just think, Leon Powe is coming at some point in the future, too . . .
I was a little sad to see Andy so off his game tonight. I know he’s not getting the start any more, but he has to know that he’s the best PF on the team right now. I could see Andy as a 6th-man-of-the-year caliber guy if he gets some of his fire back.