J.J. Hickson Dunk (AP)
Cavaliers 101, Raptors 83 (Box)
The Cavs had an awful third quarter last night. They were outscored 26-15 in that frame as Toronto cut the Cavalier lead to 8. Starting the 4th quarter the Cavs were leading 74-66 and we were worried. Rock and I were twittering about it along with some WFNY regulars and it read like this.
RockWFNY – Raptors mounting a comeback with Bosh on the bench. Which means he’ll be in with LeBron on the bench to start the 4th quarter
WFNYCraig – Cavs lose the third quarter 26-15 to lead by only 8 going into the 4th quarter. BAD 3rd quarter
RockWFNY – 74-66 Cavs at the end of the 3rd. Looks like this turned into a ballgame
RockWFNY – 5 fouls for both Ilgauskas and Varejao…..Cavs are in trouble in this one
And that is how we were feeling after the third quarter. No matter that the Cavs are perfect at home this season. No matter that they have faced adversity with two starters out at times. No matter that they were ROMPED by the Lakers and still came out and made a successful trip out west.
It just goes to show that we as Cleveland fans haven’t completed our Lebron James re-programming just yet. Even when we should know better, we are still going with those instincts that tell us the game is going to get out of hand and fall into the L column. Don’t get me wrong here. An 8 point lead going into the 4th quarter is anything but secure. We all know how quickly a 10-0 run can take place in the NBA. Still, in years past with the way the Cavs have struggled in the third quarter, it would have been a dream to go into the final frame with an 8 point lead. Anyway, enough with the Cleveland sports fan psychology analysis.
Lebron and company came out and beat the Raptors wire to wire. Yes, they struggled in the third quarter, but they ran out to a big enough lead in the first quarter (37-15) that it didn’t matter in the end. The Cavs struggled with fouls as Rock pointed out in his tweet. They were a bit shorthanded as the flu took Sasha Pavlovic out of the lineup. But like most times this year, we can say that the Cavs found a way to win.
Now, because I am going through bullet-point withdrawal, here is the rest of your rundown in my favorite format.
- Lebron James eclipsed 12,000 points (not in the game, that would be a record) for his career so far. As with pretty much every other record Lebron has broken, he is the youngest any player has been when achieving that mark at 24 years, 35 days.
- The highlight of the night was Lebron James’ defense of a Chris Bosh dunk attempt down the middle of the lane. As Bosh was flying toward the hoop, Lebron swooped in from his right side, reached the ball at its apex of the dunk attempt. He knocked it away and started back down the floor. I can’t even do it justice in print. Go find yourself some video highlights.
- (Trying not to jinx anybody.) Lebron’s performance in the 4th quarter was key. He was forcing the action and getting to the foul line. In the game, Lebron went 13-13 from freebie land.
- Daniel Gibson has been a bit too inconsistent this season so far, but when he is on from beyond the 3-point line, he really can put the dagger in. Gibson had 18 points last night on 6-11 shooting including 4-5 on threes.
- I continue to be amazed at how many times Boobie can draw fouls while shooting treys. No analysis here, really. I am just amazed by it. I kind of expect the referees to catch on at some point and stop giving him that call. We will see.
It was a good night for the Cavs. Check back to this site later in the day for Rock’s preview of tonight’s game with the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden. I wonder what the New York media will be talking about today? Hmmmm.
Author: CraigLyndall
Craig Lyndall has been writing about all the Cleveland sports teams at WaitingForNextYear since September 2008. When he isn't, you can find him selling insurance or playing music. Follow WFNYCraig on Twitter.Craig Lyndall has written 338 articles for Waiting for Next Year.
The block on Bosch was NASTY, came over from the weak side and elevated about a foot or two above the rim (sports center had a nifty little line graphic this morning)
AC: “…Git that weak stuff otta here…”
deebo: glug glug glug glug glug glug
Boobie must have watched hundreads of game tapes of Reggie Miller, as Fred Mcleod pointed out. Not since Reggie have I seen a shooter draw so many fouls on 3 point shots. The third quarter looked eerily like a Browns 3rd quarter, where the whole team fell asleep. Champions are made by teams that can adjust on the fly, and prevail when they shouldn’t, much like the Cavs have all year. With injuries and illness, they keep finding a way to win. I may have to mute the TV tonight and listen on the radio, since all they’ll be talking about is LeBron, NY, and 2010. JJ keeps getting better. He even got himself a bird last night. (Take 2 drinks)
Here’s the block:
http://www.allpichost.com/upload/187_bron_bosh_blk.gif
Correct term: Tweeting. Not Twittering. That is all.
Wow… my memory of the block was wrong. Bosh was coming down the baseline not the lane. Weird.
What an athletic play. It’s amazing how an athlete like LeBron can make you feel optimistic about Cleveland/life itself. Forgive my hyperbole, but that play gave me an inspirational lift…the importance of LBJ to our area simply transcends basketball.
“Lebron went 13-13 from freebie land. ”
Possibly my favorite part of this game.
The most overlooked stat from last night’s game: Wally Szczerbiak-44 minutes, 0 turnovers.
You think the “LeBron-to-N.Y.-in-2010″ speculation is annoying just in the media? Try being a Cavs fan living in New York and hearing it every day from obnoxious New Yorkers.
The two times a year that the Cavs play at MSG are the only two days New Yorkers forget what a mess the Knicks are.
@Mark
My friend was telling me that some NY radio sportscasters (they were listening in his office) were actually excited about the prospect of Lebron hanging more points on them than Kobe did on Monday. Looking forward to spectacular failure.
Last time the Cavs played the Knicks we went to find a Knicks bar to watch from. Dunno if that’s going to happen tonight though.
Nice pic – always wondered what the bottom of JJ’s shoes looked like. Didn’t realize the game was on ESPN2, kicking myself for not commandeering the remote from my wife and her 3 hours of House last night.