I am never one to go overboard about any win during the NBA Regular Season. This isn't the NFL where every game in a 16 game season is important, or better yet, College Football, where every game is life or death, ask USC. I also am not a firm believer in statement games, and like I have said many times before, championships are not won or lost in January.
That said, last night's 98-83 dismantling of the Boston Celtics was a solid guage of where the Cavaliers are right now, both in terms of the Celtics and more importantly, heading into a tough stretch of games to finish the month which includes the dreaded West Coast Swing(cue scary music). It was good to see the Cavaliers play so well, against top-notch talent, without Zydrunas Ilgauskas who will likely miss each one of those games.
The Cavaliers never trailed, not once, and maintained a 7-10 popint lead much of the night. The Celtics made their run, you knew they would, and the Cavs held. LeBron's stat line -- 38 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 blocks, 4 steals -- was his most complete game of the season. Perhaps even more impressive was James' defense which is starting to get the attention it deserves. James made life on the court hell for Paul Pierce who was never able to get goig, except for a couple of minutes to start the 4th quarter with James on the bench.
That's what is great about James this season. He is bringing it on the defensive end of the floor every night, not just in the big games or against top opponents. Whether it is Gerald Wallace of the Bobcats or Paul Pierce, LeBron's effort has been there. Now there is even talk of LeBron beig a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year. Through 35 games, it would be a deserving award. People want to play their best against LeBron, regardless of record. LeBron has been up to the challenge.
While it is only one game, you could tell both teams wanted to win. As Pierce said before the game, the Celtics wanted to win last night to prove to themselves that they could. Coming in the Celtics had lost 6 straight in Cleveland, with their last win coming over 4 years ago. They lost all 5 games they played against the Cavaliers last year, including 3 in the playoffs.
It is the Cavs who must make a statement when these two teams play again. We'll have to wait awhile, though, with Round 3 not scheduled until March 6 in Boston.
For now, however, the Cavaliers will enjoy a good win against a solid opponent. So much can happen over the next 4 months that it is way too early and there is way too much basketball left to really dwell on it too long. It sure is nice to be sitting with the #1 seed, however, and last night showed just how important Home Court advantage will be come April and May.
GO CAVS!
0 recs | 7 comments
Home court advantage is huge for the playoffs, but that’s not the only reason the Cavs should want the #1 seed. The Cavs want the #1 seed so they can avoid having to play Orlando in the conference semifinals. Right now, there are three teams in the East that have elivated themselves above the rest of the conference, and to only have to beat one of those teams in the playoffs instead of both of them would be a huge benifit. So if the Cavs stay at 1, they’ll have to play the 4 or 5 seed in the semis (probably Miami or Detroit) and then the winner of Boston/Orlando in the conference finals (barring upsets, of course).
Actually, with the loss last night, Boston moved behind Orlando in to the #3 position in the conference. Either way, keeping both those teams in the second and third position and letting them fight each other in the playoffs will greatly benefit the Cavs. I think that’s just as important as home court advantage, but I haven’t heard anybody else talking about this.
Buckeye Brad - January 10, 2009
Well said
Home court is huge, no doubt, but avoiding Boston and Orlando is just as big. The Cavs can beat every other team in the east in a 7 game series without home court (maybe the Pistons give them a run for their money), but saving Boston/Orlando for the Finals would be nice.
Boston still worries me much more than Orlando – I think the Cavs can neutralize Howard (he only averages 16 and 11 against them), Jameer Nelson has to cool off eventually, and Lebron can shut down Hedo.
Basically, let’s just hand the Cavs the trophy and give Lebron the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year. The league can continue on for fanatsy basketball purposes only.
D-Rock - January 10, 2009
You know, I’m starting to think there might be something to what that kid DJ Augustin said the other day. The body language of the Celtics starters pouting on their bench in the last few minutes of the fourth quarter was priceless.
woodsmeister - January 10, 2009
Always interesting to recognize when a “Veteran, Experienced” team becomes an “Old” team….
I don’t think that is what is happening to the Celtics….yet, but with that bench they are going to be forced to play KG, PP and Ray Ray 40 minutes a game and that just isn’t going to work.
Last season they had P.J. Brown and James Posey to come in and contribute big minutes, not to mention how “long” they made the Celtics. Now they are both gone and the Celtics didn’t bring in the pieces to replace them….
John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) - January 10, 2009
Great game by James.
He truly looked like the best player in the league last night.
OCBlazerFan1 - January 10, 2009
Fun game to watch
Might not mean anything in the bigger picture but for one night glad to see the Celtics lose some of that confidence. The Celts dont look like the same team from earlier in the season.
Webspinner - January 10, 2009
I have never been more excited for a regular season basketball game. I’m still pumped about it.
Turkmenbashi - January 10, 2009
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