Lakers-Cavs 2: Electric Preview
2010-01-21
Relevant Statistics:
Pace: Lakers 96.7 (7th) vs. Cavs 93.4 (28th)
Offensive Efficiency: Lakers 105.7 (12th) vs. Cavs 108.2 (5th)
Defensive Efficiency: Lakers 98.4 (2nd) vs. Cavs 100.4 (4th)
Notes:
-It might not be in the Cavs’ best interest to let this one go down to the wire. The Lakers are undefeated in close games this season, while the Cavs have struggled somewhat in those situations.
-A few games ago, Mike Trudell relayed that the Lakers have not lost a game this season when they’ve held a lead at any point in the fourth quarter. What makes that stat even more interesting is that the Lakers have been a pretty average fourth-quarter team this season. They are a -0.1 overall in the fourth quarter, only the 19th-best team in the league in that regard. Basically, the 09-10 Lakers have been the Tiger Woods of basketball. (Tiger Woods as a golfer, people.)
-Basically, the Lakers will wilt if they get down big but have pulled out just about every game that’s come down to the wire. The Cavs need to blitz them early and keep the pressure on if they want to win.
-Of course, the early blitz could be tricky for the Cavs, as the Lakers are the best 1st-quarter team in the league by a full point. The Cavs can’t get too cute with leaving Hickson out there, or they could find themselves in an early hole.
-This is Delonte’s time to shine. Not only is he replacing the injured Mo Williams, but he’s going up against Derek Fisher, easily the weak link in the Lakers’ defense. Delonte has to be aggressive.
-We’ll see if the Cavs bigs can be as effective against the Laker bigs defensively as they were last time. With Kobe seemingly still not 100%, that’s the key to the game when the Lakers have the ball.
Recommended Reading:
First of all, we are Cleveland sports fans, what do we have to be smug about. Second of all, let us enjoy our night, cause it has been a good one.
I’m not sure who his vendetta is against, but I’m inclined to say that if the Cavs can beat the best team in the NBA (by record) without Mo, then I think we’ll be okay. Or maybe that’s just us Cavs fans being “smug.”
Harry says:
January 21, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Too bad you’re wrong. Tonight proved it. Even if you don’t think it did.
—–
Hopefully this isn’t directed towards me.
Too bad you’re wrong. Tonight proved it. Even if you don’t think it did.
Zeus of Sport says:
January 21, 2010 at 4:03 pm
what do you think the effects could be of this injury? 2, 3, or 4 seed even? Maybe LeBron bolting after another failed season? Could Mo possibly need surgery and be out for the remained of this season/playoffs?
I know everyone’s wondering, so what do you guys/John Krolik think?
—-
All of this will happen and the sky will crumble as well as a nuclear holocaust. The Cavs are deep. They won’t go into a slide like Boston. And I think after tonight, its obvious they can win w/o Mo.
God I hate you Cavs fans. So damn smug.
I’ve always thought Iguodala was a SF, right? just wondering, because he’s listed on espn.com as a SG. I saw (i think) Marc Stein said the cavs probably won’t go after Iguodala because he can only play PF in small lineups, but I would personally prefer to have Iguodala at 2 than Troy Murphy at 4. Maybe even Jamison.. I just have a feeling that Jamison and Shaq might end up like Amare and Shaq in Phoenix.
And, Iguodala is only 25. if they got him, mo-iguodala-lebron could be an unstoppable trio for a long time
that post title made me laugh, keep it up
I’m with Jason. Don’t forget they have a nice home stretch and the all-star break coming up. If anything it will give some guys time to play the rust off for the late season push.
I’m no expert (not even close), but it’s a sprain. Surgery should be way out of the picture, and he should be back on the court after the prescribed 3-4 weeks. The real question is how soon he’ll be back to his usual effectiveness with his shooting. Also, he’s young so I don’t expect a KG-like “Just two more weeks” thing that drags on for the rest of the year. As for how this affects the Cavs’ seed, I don’t think it does significantly. Boston and Orlando have far worse problems than we do right now, and we’re already ahead… Read more »
The injury might push them down a bit in the seeding but I don’t see that as a major issue. The real problem comes if Mo is out for longer than expected. I do think this makes the Cavs more desperate at the trade deadline, as they’ll need another scorer. Personally, I think they should go after Andre Iguodala, who seems the best available player talent-wise, and could probably be had for expiring contracts and JJ Hickson, provided the Cavs take back Dalembert or Brand as well.
what do you think the effects could be of this injury? 2, 3, or 4 seed even? Maybe LeBron bolting after another failed season? Could Mo possibly need surgery and be out for the remained of this season/playoffs?
I know everyone’s wondering, so what do you guys/John Krolik think?