<div align="center"><u><font size="5"><font color="#B84056">CLEVELAND CAVALIERS</font> @ <font color="#0A355E">NEW JERSEY NETS</font></font></u> <u><font size="3"><font color="#B84056">PROJECTED STARTERS</font></font></u> <u><font size="3"><font color="#B84056">CAVS</font></font></u> <font color="#B84056">C Zydrunas Ilgauskas PF Drew Gooden SF LeBron James SG Larry Hughes PG Eric Snow</font> <font color="#0A355E">C Nenad Krstic PF Jason Collins SF Richard Jefferson SG Vince Carter PG Jason Kidd</font> <u><font size="3"><font color="#0A355E">NETS</font></font></u> <u><font size="3"><font color="#B84056">MATCHUP BREAKDOWN</font></font></u></div> <font color="#B84056">Zydrunas Ilgauskas</font> v <font color="#0A355E">Nenad Krstic</font> – In this matchup on the December 9, Krstic failed to handle Ilgauskas, as he allowed the Lithuanian to score 22 points and grab 8 rebounds, but only getting 16-4 himself. Krstic is only young, however, and has a bright future ahead of him. Nevertheless, this will not help him in this matchup and I think that Ilgauskas will be victorious. <font color="#B84056">Drew Gooden</font> v <font color="#0A355E">Jason Collins</font> – Collins did not take part in the previous matchup of the year. Cliff Robinson was in his place and he managed to hold Drew Gooden to 5-8. However, I do not see Collins, averaging 4-4, being able to match that and I am of the opinion that this should be another double-double for Gooden. <font color="#B84056">LeBron James</font> v <font color="#0A355E">Richard Jefferson</font> – Jefferson managed 18-6-3 in the pair’s meeting on December 9, whilst LeBron seemed to score at will with 32-6-3. I can see this happening again, and I think that LeBron will be on top once more. <font color="#B84056">Larry Hughes</font> v <font color="#0A355E">Vince Carter</font> – This is the key for a Cavaliers’ victory; Larry Hughes needs to use the skills he showed last season to prevent Vince Carter from scoring. If he allows him to get 38-11-6 again, then the Cavaliers will be in serious trouble. Although I expect Hughes to be better on defence this game, I still expect Carter to prevail tonight. <font color="#B84056">Eric Snow</font> v <font color="#0A355E">Jason Kidd[color] – Kidd actually shut Snow out in the previous meeting. Snow got 0-0-5 whilst Kidd helped himself to 16-5-8. After scoring a season-high 12 last night, I can see Snow playing with more confidence and slowing Kidd down slightly. However, I still expect Kidd to come out way on top. <div align="center"><u><font size="3">OTHER NOTES</font></font></u></div> <ul> [*]The Nets are leading this series 6-2 since LeBron entered the League. [*]The total score is 819-745 in New Jersey’s favour. [*]LeBron averages 14.6-5.3-7.3 against the Nets. [*]The Cavs are 17-9 overall and 7-3 in their last 10. [*]The Nets are 15-12 overall and 7-3 in their last 10. [/list] <div align="center"><u><font size="3"><font color="#B84056">SCORE PREDICTION</font></font></u></div> <u><font size="2"><font color="#B84056">93</font>-<font color="#0A355E">99</font></font></u>
Well, the 6-game winning streak came to an end tonight as the Nets beat us once again. LeBron had an impressive game with 31 pts and 10 boards. I think we the Cavs ultimately lost because of poor three point shooting; they went 4-17 from beyond the arc. Marshall and Jones didn't really shoot well tonight off the bench, but Marshall did do a nice job in the paint with 14 boards. Oh well, I guess we just can't stop the trio od Jefferson, Kidd, and VC...
