<div align="center"></div> This game sees the 26-19 Cleveland Cavaliers take on the 20-25 Miami Heat at the American Airlines Arena. <div align="center"><font color="#B94056"><u>Cleveland Cavaliers</u> </font> C Zydrunas Ilgauskas PF Drew Gooden SF LeBron James SG Larry Hughes PG Daniel Gibson @ <font color="#C43B3B">C Alonzo Mourning PF Udonis Haslem SF Jason Kapono SG Dwyane Wade PG Gary Payton <u>Miami Heat</u></font></div> <u>Key Matchup</u> – Swingman – LeBron James v Dwyane Wade v This will no doubt be the key matchup if LeBron James plays. He is currently struggling with a sprained right big toe, but the rest of the Cavaliers have so far been able to cope in his absence. However, tonight they will need him and, although he is listed as questionable by CBS, in his own mind he will be a definite. A key question, however, lies with the medical team as Coach Brown has stated that the medical team will have the say on whether or not LeBron plays. Aside from the injury, however, this matchup is, on paper, possibly the best in the League. LeBron James stands at a monstrous 6-8 240lbs with powerful moves and athleticism that leave most players dazed in his wake. He is currently averaging 27.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 6 assists. Dwyane Wade is a slightly smaller 6-4 212lb Guard with a ridiculous ability to score from seemingly impossible situations. He, too, has incredible athleticism and body control and is averaging 28.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and 7.8 assists. This matchup will no doubt be pivotal and the two players will soon be competing in the PlayStation Skills Challenge at the All-Star Weekend, as well as playing for the East in the All-Star Game. [div=50%] <font color="#C43B3B"><u>Heat’s Keys to Victory</u> <ul> [*]Exploit LeBron James’ injury. If they can exploit the King’s potential lack in explosiveness on his first step, it could be curtains for the Cavaliers who rely so much upon the King’s enormous offensive presence. [*]Shoot a high percentage. The Cavaliers usually give up a high percentage to the other team in terms of shooting. If the Head can exploit this weakness, the Cavaliers could struggle. [*]Send the Cavaliers to the free throw line. It is now official: The Cavaliers are the worst free throw shooting team in the League, averaging a mere 68.7% from the line. This is an almighty weakness and one which the Heat must take full advantage of. [/list] </font> [/div] <font color="#B94056"><u>Cavaliers’ Keys to Victory</u> <ul> [*]Crash the boards all night. The Cavaliers are a very good rebounding team so, if they rebound to their full ability, they should be able to limit the Heat’s second chance opportunities whilst maximising their own. If so, the Heat could struggle offensively. [*]Play team basketball. In the games when LeBron has been out injured, the Cavaliers have been strong. In my opinion, this is because they realise that they must all work hard and all help to score. If they can channel that psychology into the games that LeBron plays in, they will be formidable. [*]Silence the home crowd. The Cavaliers struggle on the road, so will need to take every opportunity they can. If they can break into an early lead using clever and explosive plays, they could take the crowd out of the equation. If they do so, they will increase their chances of winning by a long way. [/list] </font> <u>Prediction</u> Since LeBron James and Dwyane Wade entered the League in 2003, the Cavaliers and Heat have met 12 times, with the Heat winning 8 games to the Cavaliers’ 4. The Cavaliers average 91 points per game, whilst their Miami-based counterparts average 96.9. In these 12 games, LeBron James averages 28.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 7.7 assists. These performances include one triple double (47 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists), 3 double doubles and three 40 plus point games (including the triple double). If he can pull out a performance similar to any of those, the Cavaliers stand a good chance of winning. LeBron may, however, not play and be replaces by Aleksandar Pavlovic. Due to the fact that, if he plays at all, he will be nursing an injury, I do not see the Cavaliers beating the Miami Heat this time around. <font color="#B94056">88</font>-<font color="#C43B3B">105</font>
Posey just cut the lead to 1 after Cleveland led by 12. LeBron played tonight, but he hasn't looked right all night. GOODEN with a huge offensive rebound and the foul!
Wade misses a layup Shaq with an offensive rebound and the foul. Big Z grabbed him with two arms and Shaq still got the shot off, amazing. Shaq makes the free throw, game is tied.
LeBron James runs Shaq over, fouls O'Neal out, and gets the and 1. Three consecutive And1 plays. LOL.
Wade with a crazy layup. Gibson misses two wide open 3's Wade scores again, he's taking over, and LeBron isn't.
My God did Wade have a bunch of TOs today (12) and FTs, lol. That is some crazy box score. At least he can party with Shaq today in peace. I'm worried about LeBron, I hope his toe doesn't let him down.
So much for me saying Bron is better than Kobe and Wade. Man, im just not feeling the clutch factor from him.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Gibson misses two wide open 3's</div> Counting the pass he missed from LeBron? But Gibson did pretty well. I like him.
