<div align="center"> <span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%">@</span> December 21, 2006 - 8:00 pm ET<span style="color:#FF0000">Game on TNT</span></div><span style="color:#0000FF">Detroit Pistons</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">(15-8)</span><span style="color:#FF0000">PG</span> <span style="color:#0000FF">Chauncey Billups</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">SG</span> <span style="color:#0000FF">Rip Hamilton</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">SF</span> <span style="color:#0000FF">Tayshaun Prince</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">PF</span> <span style="color:#0000FF">Rasheed Wallace</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">C</span> <span style="color:#0000FF">Nazr Mohammed</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Key Bench Players:</span> <span style="color:#0000FF">Antonio McDyess, Flip Murray Jason Maxiell, Dale Davis, Carlos Delfino</span><span style="color:#990000">Cleveland Cavaliers</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">(14-10)</span><span style="color:#CC9933">PG</span> <span style="color:#990000">Eric Snow</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">SG</span> <span style="color:#990000">Larry Hughes</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">SF</span> <span style="color:#990000">LeBron James</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">PF</span> <span style="color:#990000">Drew Gooden</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">C</span> <span style="color:#990000">Zydrunas Ilgauskas</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">Key Bench Players:</span> <span style="color:#990000">Donyell Marshall, Anderson Varajoe, Damon Jones, Daniel Gibson</span> Injury Report<span style="color:#FF0000">DET:</span> <span style="color:#0000FF">Lindsey Hunter will not play (sore right achilles)</span> Who To Watch Out For<span style="color:#0000FF">Chauncey Billups</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Season Stats: 18.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 8.3 apg, 1.4 spg</span><span style="color:#0000FF">Rasheed Wallace</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Season Stats: 13.5 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 2.0 bpg</span><span style="color:#0000FF">Rip Hamilton</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Season Stats: 21.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.4 apg</span><span style="color:#0000FF">Tayshaun Prince</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Season Stats: 15.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.6 apg</span><span style="color:#990000">LeBron James</span><span style="color:#CC9933">Season Stats: 26.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 6.8 apg, 1.5 spg</span><span style="color:#990000">Larry Hughes</span><span style="color:#CC9933">Season Stats: 14.4 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 2.9 apg</span> Rookie Watch <span style="color:#FF0000">DET:</span> <span style="color:#FF0000">Will Blalock</span><span style="color:#000000">Overall Selection: 60</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Season Stats:</span> <span style="color:#0000FF">1.0 ppg, 0.5 rpg, 0.5 apg, 0.5 spg</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">CLE:</span> <span style="color:#990000">Shannon Brown</span><span style="color:#000000">Overall Selection: 25</span><span style="color:#CC9933">Season Stats:</span> <span style="color:#990000">2.5 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 0.7 apg</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">CLE:</span> <span style="color:#990000">Daniel Gibson</span><span style="color:#000000">Overall Selection: 42</span><span style="color:#CC9933">Season Stats:</span> <span style="color:#990000">6.1 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 0.7 apg</span><span style="color:#0000FF">Detroit's X-Factor</span><span style="color:#0000FF">Tayshaun Prince</span><span style="color:#FF0000">Season Stats: 15.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.6 apg</span><span style="color:#0000FF">His defensive assignment will be LeBron, so he has to really crack down and step up defensively. Rip and Chauncey can do all the scoring, Tayshaun just needs to make sure he disrupts LeBron.</span> <span style="color:#990000">Cleveland's X-Factor</span><span style="color:#990000">Eric Snow</span><span style="color:#CC9933">Season Stats: 5.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 4.9 apg</span><span style="color:#990000">Snow needs to play tough defense on Chauncey. He is a good defender, and he needs to make sure Billups isn't left open too many times. If he is left open, especially from 3, he'll kill you.</span> <div align="center">Key Matchup vs. <span style="color:#0000FF">Tayshaun Prince</span> <span style="color:#000000">vs.</span> <span style="color:#990000">LeBron James</span></div><span style="color:#000000">LeBron, as we all know, is an absolute monster. He does everything, and he is already ARGUABLY the best player in the league right now (I don't think he is, I definitely say Kobe, but you could make a strong case). Tayshaun, however, never makes it easy for LeBron. Prince is a very good defender and he's extremely long. This should be a matchup to look out for, seeing as these two have gone at it nicely in the past.</span> CelticBalla's Extra Thoughts/NotesA re-match of last season's Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. Cleveland will want revenge, yet Detroit will want to prove to them that they really are much better than Cleveland, and that the series shouldn't have gone to 7 games. Cleveland, however, just came off a tough loss in New Jersey last night, and they won't be happy about that. This will be an excellent game.Another note: GO WILL BLALOCK!!! (Boston native) CelticBalla's PredictionI see this being an excellent and entertaining game, but I see Detroit winning this one. They have been finally getting into their groove, while Cleveland has had their ups and downs lately. I think Detroit wins, and a big game from Chauncey offensively.
I have to disagree.Unless I am still **** over the last 3 games, Snow has done nothing. Vince Carter owned him on D and he can't shoot. Only time he scores is when ever he gets a lucky lane.Maybe Snow can finally do something? I don't see it happing tho with Billups on him.Looking to get some pay back on the Pistons from last season, this should be a good one.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Cavsrules @ Dec 21 2006, 02:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I have to disagree.Unless I am still **** over the last 3 games, Snow has done nothing. Vince Carter owned him on D and he can't shoot. Only time he scores is when ever he gets a lucky lane.Maybe Snow can finally do something? I don't see it happing tho with Billups on him.Looking to get some pay back on the Pistons from last season, this should be a good one.</div>First of all, Snow's role is not to score. Second of all, have you ever seen him take a jump shot from the side, about 15-18 feet out? That's his shot. But you don't appreciate what Snow actually does for your team, why? Probably because he doesn't score as many points or rack up the assist totals as you would like. He is a VERY smart player, he always makes the smart/right decisions, he is great with running an offense, he is a good defender (of course he's not going to defend 6'6'' Vince Carter very well...), he's very unselfish, he's a leader, and he is a great teacher. You are lucky to have a veteran like Eric Snow on your team.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ Dec 21 2006, 02:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>First of all, Snow's role is not to score. Second of all, have you ever seen him take a jump shot from the side, about 15-18 feet out? That's his shot. But you don't appreciate what Snow actually does for your team, why? Probably because he doesn't score as many points or rack up the assist totals as you would like. He is a VERY smart player, he always makes the smart/right decisions, he is great with running an offense, he is a good defender (of course he's not going to defend 6'6'' Vince Carter very well...), he's very unselfish, he's a leader, and he is a great teacher. You are lucky to have a veteran like Eric Snow on your team.</div>Whoa, you miss took my post, bro.I like Eric Snow, I am one of those posters that help out E.Snow over at the Cavs boards. He is very important to this team. I was just saying, the last 3 games he has done nothing for this team. The Seattle game was all Hughes and Bron thats why we won that one. The last 2 road games he has pretty much done nothing to help this team. He is a very good ball handler and runs this O-#. I'm not haten on Snow in any way, just upset the fact we are losing games we should of won.
A neat stat:Aside from the playoffs, I think Cleveland has lost to Detroit 4 straight times in games I've watched. Considering I plan on watching the game tonight, I think that trend will continue
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KMart? @ Dec 21 2006, 06:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>A neat stat:Aside from the playoffs, I think Cleveland has lost to Detroit 4 straight times in games I've watched. Considering I plan on watching the game tonight, I think that trend will continue </div>Whats your problem?I am the only Cavalier fan here and you want me to be pi$$ed off? Don't watch it man. I'll tap it for u. :winkglasses:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Cavsrules @ Dec 21 2006, 06:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Whats your problem?I am the only Cavalier fan here and you want me to be pi$$ed off? Don't watch it man. I'll tap it for u. :winkglasses:</div>Sorry man. Maybe my bad luck will stop (Probably Not Mwahahahahahahahah)
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (KMart? @ Dec 21 2006, 07:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Sorry man. Maybe my bad luck will stop (Probably Not Mwahahahahahahahah)</div> :ranting: Cavs up 3 tho. :happy0144:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Cavsrules @ Dec 21 2006, 08:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>:ranting: Cavs up 3 tho. :happy0144:</div>And LeBron is absolutely on fire. Although he has forced some shots, you can't blame the guy since he is 6-7. The key now is, if LeBron cools off, he has to make sure to stop forcing shots. Considering he's a smart player, I'm sure this would be the case.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ Dec 21 2006, 08:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Damn, that block by Prince was awesome! His arms are like 89 feet long, jesus.</div>I thought they were 94 feet long. My bad.
Jason Maxiell just threw down two MONSTER dunks.EDIT: OMG. Jason Maxiell just threw down another HUGE dunk on Drew Gooden. This kids leaping ability is insane. He has only been in the game for a few minutes and he has already threw down 3 powerful dunks.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BALLAHOLLIC? @ Dec 21 2006, 09:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Jason Maxiell just threw down two MONSTER dunks.</div>Make it three! HOLY HELL!!! Did you guys see that last one? Jesus christ he is explosive! Play of the day right there... WOW!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (L_C @ Dec 21 2006, 09:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Jason Maxiell is pretty good, huh? </div>I have always liked Maxiell. I remember watching him at Cinci. He has always been extremely explosive and tough. I love players like that, especially if they are undersized. But I'm happy for him that he is finally getting some real playing time. All highlights aside, he has been playing good basketball overall. He has been throwing his weight around in the paint, he has been rebounding, he has been running, playing better defense than I thought he could, and he even hit a game winner. He has really started to come along nicely, he'll be a solid asset for Detroit a couple years down the line.
Cavaliers down 1 at the Half.I really think Mike Brown should tell Hughes to drive to the hole. He is at his best when he does and that is what he is used to doing. Brown I believe is making him take the Jump shots when that is not his main game.Cavaliers need to keep playing tough, fight for boards and play hard D.GO CAVS!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Cavsrules @ Dec 21 2006, 09:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Cavaliers down 1 at the Half.I really think Mike Brown should tell Hughes to drive to the hole. He is at his best when he does and that is what he is used to doing. Brown I believe is making him take the Jump shots when that is not his main game.Cavaliers need to keep playing tough, fight for boards and play hard D.GO CAVS!</div>Mike Brown did not tell Hughes to take jumpers over driving to the basket.But that dunk by LeBron - WOW! This game is very entertaining, jesus. Screw this 5 on 5 crap, clear out for LeBron and Jason "Barkley" Maxiell, and let them have a dunk contest! (Obviously just kidding).I'd like to see Big Z be a little more active. I know he's naturally goofy and sluggish, but he needs to assert himself some more.
Ha, this team needs help.Pistons just go on a huge run and are blowing us away.I guess they just wanted ratings so they didn't kill us from the start.Hope cavs can find a way, plz oh, plz!!!
