Cavaliers' Spoil Lakers' Xmas

There was an early part of the season when the Cavaliers fell behind in the group of "Champion Contenders."

With their 102-87 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Staples on Christmas Day - they might have joined the Contender list again.

Following the victory, LeBron James said it wasn't a statement game. However I want to direct this victory to all the Charles Barkleys and other Cavalier doubters. Give them much credit, the Cleveland Cavaliers went into the Lakers' home and broke the 11-game winning streak of the champs.

The game was a beauty for the Cavaliers, especially Mo Williams who had no remorse for Derek Fisher or his "so call" unstoppable team. The Feisty Mo had 28-points, including 3/3 from downtown.

LeBron played fair going 9-19 from the floor for 26 points. But it's the Cavs bench led by Jamario Moon on offense and Varejao on defense, that is really the big story tonight.

From the start to end, Cleveland wanted the game more and it dominated every part of the box score. The paint was shut down seeing that Gassol had 11-points and just 4-points for Andrew Bynum.

Kobe Bryant shot 30-percent, the team shot 30-percent and the combination of Odom and the rest of the bench was just atrocious - thanks to presence of Shaq in the Paint.

The Lakers just could not take the Cavs' offense or defense. Ron Artest fouled out, Odom received 2-techs and the Cavaliers just got under the skin of Kobe Bryant.

It is obvious to me who is the better defensive team. This game was a test for the Cavs. Everyone thought they couldn't beat the elite teams and they received an early Christmas present indeed.

On the other hand, the Lakers' crowd had a spoiled Holiday Spirit. After the Cavs' rowdy defense caused the fans to lose their cool - the crowd began throwing foam and water bottles at the Cavaliers. They even booed the Lakers off the court.

Like a real leader, through all the adversity, LeBron grabbed his teammates and reminded them to stay cool and finish the game in a kindly fashion.

Everyone was counting the Cavs out the playoff race in the East. Boston and Orlando should watch out. The Cavaliers didn't just win against the Lakers! They embarrassed them and it showed as the Lakers were too frustrated to play anything like championship material.

LeBron is now 7-6 against the Lakers, while Kobe is 5-7 against the Cavs. The Lakers and Cavs rematch in January at the Quicken Loans arena, this time the Lakers will not play as if it is a walk in the park.

The Cavaliers play the Houston Rockets next @ the Q. They look to avenge the lost Houston handed to them earlier in the season.

Andy, LeBron Pushes Cavs Past Blazers!

After downing two games straight, the Cleveland Cavaliers (16-7), were looking to snap that streak Friday night against the injury filled Portland Trail Blazers.

Just as expected, the Cavs got off to a good start from Mo (who was a game time decision along with Andy - due to a stomach virus) and LeBron.

The good start didn't last too long. Martell Webster, someone that doesn't even average double figures for the Blazers, hit some very big 3-point shots, scoring 13-points in the first quarter!

Despite Cleveland having a buster make shots, they dominated the paint early in the game scoring almost 20-points straight down-low before Portland could give any answers.

The second quarter looked as if the Cavs were going to top 20-turnovers again. Mike Brown, who was ejected from the Cavs last game Vs. Houston, was extremely upset. Without a doubt, I was also upset. They got out-scored 31-19 by the SHORT-HANDED team.

At half time the Cavs trailed by 9. Throughout the season, the 3rd quarter has been problematic for Cleveland; however when they came out and it was clearly a new team.

Lead by King James (who absolutely took over the 3rd quarter) the Cavs went on a big run. La'Marcus Aldridge was constantly annoyed by Varejao, since he couldn't finish at the rim.

Shaq's presence was thrown out in the 3rd quarter. He was scratched in the eye and left the game with 14-points 11-boards and 4/4 at the free-throw line.

Throughout the end of the 3rd I was able to smile. The Cavs tied the game after they were down by as many as 12-points.

Everyone knows that LeBron takes his break in the 4th quarter, but that wasn't much of a problem. Varejao held it down for the Cavs.

Playing off of broken plays and moving without the basketball in his hands. He finished with a season-high 22-points and doubled up with 10-rebounds.

He was clearly the X-factor in the Cavs 104-99 win of the Blazers.

LeBron flirted with a triple double pouring in 33-points 7-rebounds and 7-assist.

Mo Williams also had a good game, stocking up with 14-points and 10-assist.

The Cavs get right back on the road to visit Kevin Durant and the Thunder.

Cavs Looking to Snap Losing Streak With Win Over Blazers

It might be shocking for some but the Cavs are in their 2nd 2-game losing streak of the season.

What makes it more of a jaw dropper is the fact that the back to back losses are from the Western Conference. The 13-game winning streak is over.

The good part about the situation is that the Cavs are back home to face the injury ripped Blazers.

The last couple of times that Portland came to town LeBron finished with a triple-double. It's likely to happen again, as the Cavs try to avoid a rare 3-game winning streak.

The losing streak started Tuesday in a 111-109 overtime loss to the Memphis Grizzles.

21-turnovers ate Cleveland alive Vs. the Grizzlies, and against Houston it was the same story. They created 20-turnovers. When Cleveland gives the ball away that many times they have yet to win a game.

LeBron had 5-turnovers for his 3rd straight game. He is averaging almost 4 a game which is just horrible (for him especially).

Despite his turnover build up, he is averaging a career high 8.2-assists per game. The Cavaliers are 9-2 when LeBron has at least 9-assist. Even better, when LeBron attempts 17-shots, or fewer the Cavs are 7-1.

Cleveland hasn't lost 3-straight since March 2008.

Portland has been torn up by injuries. They recently lost their inside piece Greg Oden for the entire season. Even the coach of the team is out with an injury.

Anderson Varejao will have his hands full with La'Marcus Aldridge. That load just might be too much for Hickson to handle.

Revenge is Sweet!

Earlier in the Month, the Cleveland Cavaliers suffered a shocking 85-86 loss to the Chicago Bulls @ home. For some reason, I just knew it wouldn't be that way the second time around!

The Cavs (14-5) pounded the Bulls from the 3rd quarter forward. They started off sharing the ball and going straight to Shaq, which has been very successful!

Varejao playing very well all of broken plays. He kept moving with out ball, and created so many opportunities for the Cavs.

Led by Varejao, the paint was patrolled. The Cavs drilled the paint with 28-12 badly out-scoring the short handed Bulls.

LeBron's team is obviously stepping up. He is not scoring as much to lead the team, however he captured his 3rd straight double double on assist. He is not a point guard, yet he is 6th in the NBA on assist!

The King's wasn't scoring but he was making it happen. Once he entered the game, Cleveland limited the turnovers. They had 11 in the first half and zero in the second.

It was a different game for the 3rd and 4th quarter. Started with a 1pt lead and before you knew it the Cavs led by 15!

JJ Hickson helped the Cavs stretch the lead to 19 with his offensive rebounding. They maintained the lead with LeBron on the bench and by that time it was over.

When Gibson comes off the bench scoring double digits along with the rest of the bench (40-points total) it is impossible to beat the Cavs.

Such good play allowed reserves Danny Green and Darnell Jackson to come into the game with still 4-minutes left.

The Cavs will play Brandon Jennings and the Milwaukee Bucks next. Cleveland has won 4-straight over Milwaukee.

Extra Notes: The Cavs were wearing pink shoes and accessories to support the fight against Breast Cancer!

LeBron and Noah got into an altercation. Noah said some disrespectful things to LeBron that caused him to walk over to the Chicago bench along with Mo. Luckily, Big Z broke it up and LeBron left the game with 6-minutes still remaining.

Cavs Vs. Bulls Game 2

The Bulls (7-9) are kind of a smart team. They took advantage of the Cavaliers (13-5), a month ago when the Club was still trying to find a suitable offensive and defensive identity. The Cavs, who are on a 2-game winning streak after taking down two western conference power-houses (Mavs & Suns), will have the chance to get revenge on the Bulls.

Shaq is now fitting in with the Cavs rotation and they are looking to show the Bulls that their the better team.

Chicago’s victory was big. It was in CLEVELAND and the Cavs fell to 3-3 with the 86-85 loss on Nov. 5.

Since that loss; however, the Cavs have been showing their process of molding – with Shaq in the middle.

With Shaq, the Cavs allowed 92.1 points per game. Without him, they allowed 99-points per game.

The Bulls are not having the same improvements as the Cavs. They just came off a 5-game losing streak.

The Bulls' win at Cleveland was just their 3rd victory there over the last 12-visits, it was also one of their 2-vitories on the road this season!

Let’s see if Cleveland can show Chicago their improvements!

Cavs Thump No Good Suns

The Phoenix Suns came to pay their “good” friend Shaquille O'Neal a visit at his new home. It wasn’t a pleasant appointment for the Suns. Cleveland trampled the NBA’s “so called” best scoring team and easily handed them their 2nd straight blow-out!

Shaq scored 12-points, LeBron flirted with a triple-double and the Cavs climbed up by as many as 30-points to dismantle Shaq's old squad with a 107-90 win over the Phoenix Suns. The score might not seem too bad, but trust me – it got ugly for the Suns.

Shaq pulled down 9-boards in just about 20-minutes. BIG Z poured in14-points and he also set the new franchise record for games played in a Cavs suit.

LeBron had just 12-points, 10-assists, 8-rebounds and a chase-down block. The Cavs had seven other players in double figures – the others missed the double figure mark by at least 2-points.

Mr. Fast Nash had 14-points but just 5-assists and 6-turnovers? That’s not the Nash that I know. The Suns also scored season-low 90-points, due to the Cavaliers’ traditional defense.

The Cavs answered every solution that the Suns had. The closet they got was 12-points and by then it was the 4th quarter so no worries.

The Suns had just 29 points at half-time. The league’s highest scoring team must have been ill, because stats like that are an embarrassment!

Phoenix was first in the NBA (based on record) Every time they play the better teams, a win is the last thing they get.

Remain Consistent.
Remain Optimistic.

Big Z Sets New Record for Cavs!

After Mike Brown decided to bench Zydrunas Ilgauskas against the Mavericks Saturday, Z was not able to brake Danny Ferry's record, for most games played in a Cavalier uniform.

Mike Brown thought that the Victory was more importnt than the record. He left Z on the bench, basically embarrasing him since Big Z had family and friends in the Crowd. It's really sad and the center was affected by it. He skipped the Media and was the FIRST person to leave the Cavs locker room following their victory over the Mavs.

Now, Ilgauskas is not the best play

er or center, but his career is so significant. It was nearly ended a couple of times due to severe foot injuries. Still, he bounced back and played in his 724th game Vs. the Phoenix Suns on December 2nd 2009!

The sellout crowd gave a standing ovation to the 7"3 center, when he entered late in the 1st quarter. He does not only lead in games played - Z also is the team’s career leader in rebounds and blocks.

If Big Z can retire with the Cavs and a Championship ring, his career might lead to the retirement of his Jersey, he is worth it.

Cavaliers Vs. Suns Preview

The Cavliers are still trying to create a line-up rotation that is suitable for them, but on the other hand, the Phoenix Suns have glued their line-up. They jumped out to a wonderful start without Shaq in the middle. Shockingly, the Cavs did not!

Twenty-four hours after getting pounded by the Knicks the Suns are playing their 2nd game of a back-to-back road trip. Phoenix gets its first look at O'Neal in his new Cavalier uniform.

In the pass, Cleveland (12-5) was close to a deal for O'Neal near the league's February trade deadline but couldn't match terms with Phoenix (14-4), causing them to fall short of grabbing the legendary Center.

In the past off-season, the Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry acquired O'Neal for Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic and a second-round draft pick, giving the team a strong inside presence and sending 2-time all-star center Ilgauskas to the bench.

Phoenix has blossomed without O'Neal. Shaq allegedly slowed down the Suns high-speed tempo. Now they are averaging an NBA-best 111.3 points and a ton of assist.

Shaq is averaging 11.1 points in 11-games with the Cavaliers. With Ilgauskas starting some games this season for an injured Shaq the Cavs averaged 102.0 points and went 5-1, with Shaq they are 7-4 and scoring 97.5 points per game!

This will be a pleasant environment for Cleveland. Big Z will break Danny Ferry's record of most games played. Ferry and Z are currently tied at 723-games.

The Suns have to contain Mo Williams if they want to win. He averaged 37-points against Phoenix last season in a 2-game sweep of the Suns. He also scored a career-high 44-points. When Mo drops over 20-points, the Cavs are 20-0 in the Quicken Loans Arena,

Let's see if Shaq can show the Suns that he is also better off without them!