Recap: Cavs 104, Lakers 99 (Or, WHAT?! WHOOOOOO!)
2011-02-16Overview: The Cavs won in regulation for the first time since November 27th…against the Los Angeles Lakers. Ramon Sessions led all scorers with 32 points.
Seriously though, The Cavs just beat the Lakers bullets:
– Before getting too far ahead of ourselves, this is a Laker team that needs the All-Star break very badly. They have exactly one quality young player, and he has the knees of a 45-year old. This team was not built for seven-game road trips, and they were not in the mood to play basketball tonight.
– That said, what a performance by the Cavs. The big difference between this game and the 55-point massacre was the interior defense. Odom, Bynum, and Gasol ran a layup line against the Cavs in Los Angeles, and while the Cavs certainly had some issues inside — Pau had 30 and 20, and the Lakers had 19 offensive rebounds to the Cavs’ 26 defensive rebounds — Odom and Bynum weren’t able to do much against the Cavs at all. The Lakers were forced to rely on a bailout performance from Kobe, but he’s no longer a sure bet to deliver those performances at will — at least not in February.
– RAZOR RAMON. RAZOR RAMON. RAZOR FREAKING RAMON.
What a performance. We’ve seen it all year: if the other team isn’t going to make an effort on defense, Razor Ramon will shred them. His game is all about taking it to the basket each and every time, and he never stops coming. (This is why I started calling him “the lord of blowouts” a few months back.) The Lakers came into the Q with zero energy, and Sessions made them pay by living in the paint. Sessions scored 32 points, and only five of those points came on long jumpers. I’ve said it all year — the only time this team has looked like a functional offensive unit is when Sessions is doing his thing, and he was the guy who won the game for the Cavs tonight.
(Yes, the fact that Derek Fisher scored a season-high 19 points on 12 shots is the caveat here, but let’s not dwell on that too much right now.)
You’ve gotta love Anthony Parker. A big three late in the fourth, nine assists, quality defense, and his typical brand of smart play. The guy deserves to be traded.
Hickson shot 6-18, but he’s come a long way. First of all, his misses came in the paint instead of on the perimeter, and good things will happen if he continues to go inside. More importantly, he never let his poor shooting take him out of the game — he crashed the boards all night, and was making big plays late.
EYENGA! Great defense on Kobe, efficient scoring, and that dunk on Gasol. If he locks himself in the gym with Chris Jent this summer, he’s a keeper.
Jamison — 19 points on 18 shots, 10 rebounds, and he got torched on defense. Malkovich Malkovich.
I don’t really have much more for tonight. What a win. Have a good All-Star break, everyone.
@J and @dc gotta agree with J, this team doesn’t succeed without Sessions right now. His driving ability and the fact he has been gettin double figure assists in Mo’s absence is enough on the offense end. As an additional bonus, he seems to be good for Hickson. Bringing in another big for sessions would no doubt have the opposite effect.
The real tragedy is that Mo is undersized to play the 2 and has struggled shooting. I think we will feel that more if we lose AP
@dc
If we traded Ramon this season, that could be one of the worst moves possible. He’s a 17 % 3 shooter but it’s not like he’s shooting them all the time. He made his first of the season last night! His D is decent, His mid range shot isn’t bad, and he’s an athletic slasher. His passing is getting better all the time. I’m telling you that he could be good.
I respect Sessions’ ability – he’s a great driver, tough kid. I also support him being moved in a deadline deal – if something of value can be had in return. Has to be more than a 2nd rounder, which probably would have been the offer a few weeks ago. Maybe a young big who’s better than Hollins, or a late-first. No matter how good he plays now, I don’t see Roman as a “core” player. Roman is a 17% 3-pt shooter, not a great passer, not a good defender. He has one really good skill – penetrating. But he’s… Read more »
Hard to think that if they would’ve beaten the WIZARDS they would have a 3 game streak going. The team still has serious problems and they should probably skip the whole all star break and get ready for the Rockets on Wednesday. (kind of kidding)
Cleveland Owns L.A. t-shirts, anyone?
Sessions played a great game — congrats to him. The Cavs really needed a win and this was a great one on such a crappy season. As for Eyenga, man I can’t even believe what he can turned to. His athletic abilities are insane and he can actually hit the jumpshot. Please Austin Carr, take him under your wing and help him be all that he can be… lol
i had a feeling this would be the result…two big factors being the revenge of an embarrassing loss and the lakers being in a deep funk right before all star break….hopefully the Cavs can put together nice games for remainder of season and win a few. who cares if they have the worst record or not….doesnt always guarantee the first pick….remember wizards got no. 1 last year and i think had 4th worst record in league. i think MO and Jamison have to be let go one way or the other….in return we either get draft picks or take a… Read more »
I really hope sessions sticks around and can develop an identity alongside some young players. He needs a lot of work, but having the ability to break down defenses is very important and something the Cavs don’t have at any other position.
Wow. Think the Cavs were just a bit motivated for this game? Think 112-57 was in the forefront of their minds tonight? That is the best game they’ve played all year. Amazing what a revenge factor will do… Granted, the Lakers weren’t the same team that won 112-57. This version was a lot more tired and seemed to care a lot less about the game. But… THE CAVS JUST BEAT THE LAKERS! Enjoy it, Cleveland. Both the team and the fans. Soak it in. Celebrate. Take your SO to a a club, dance and have a blast. Then go home… Read more »
Eyengaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
seriously, is he the next face of the cavs or what?