Cavaliers @ Pistons Preview Cleveland Cavaliers(18-29) @ Detroit Pistons(33-16) Feb. 3, 7:30 pm Eastern The Palace of Auburn Hills TV: UPN-50, FSOhio, NBALP Previous Game Cavaliers 104 @ Wizards 100 Pistons 102 @ Heat 100 Series: The series is tied 1-1 with each team winning at home. Last Meeting: Pistons 86 @ Cavaliers 95 Streaks Cavaliers: Won 1 (7-3 in last ten) Pistons: Won 4 (7-3 in last ten) Head Coaches vs. Paul Silas vs. Larry Brown Probable Starters PG: vs. Jeff McInnis Williams vs. Chauncey Billups SG: vs. Lebron James vs. Richard Hamilton SF: vs. Eric Williams vs. Tayshaun Prince PF: vs. Carlos Boozer vs. Ben Wallace C: vs. Zydrunas Ilgauskas vs. Mehmet Okur 6th Men vs. Dajuan Wagner vs. Corliss Williamson Players to Watch vs. James: 20.8 Points (.414 FG %), 5.9 Assists, 5.9 Rebounds, 1.48 Steals Hamilton: 18.2 Points (.445 FG %), 3.6 Assists, 3.8 Rebounds, 1.21 Steals Injury Report Cleveland Cavaliers Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje Jason Kapono Detroit Pistons Hubert Davis Tremaine Fowlkes Lindsey Hunter Keys to the Game <u>Cleveland Cavaliers by Mr_Infante:</u> <ul> [*]Perimeter defense :Billups, Prince, Atkins, Okur. [*]Get Ilgauskas involved early and POUND them inside [*]Box out on Wallace [*]LeBron, stay out of foul trouble [/list] <u>Detroit Pistons by PyroManiac:</u> <ul> [*]Stop Lebron (Probably the most important key is to stop Lebron. He scored 38 in his last game and Carmelo scored 39 his last game. Lebron may want to try to best his good friend before the ASG break. The Pistons need to make sure that this does not happen. Hamilton will most likely not be guarding Lebron, at least I hope that he doesn't. However, Hamilton will need to be able to counter the points that Lebron scores.) [*]Limit Zydrunas Ilgauskas' and Carlos Boozer's production (Carlos Boozer has been great recently and is showing that he cannot be left alone. Big Z can still hurt the Pistons if he allowed to play his style of game. The Pistons may go with a smaller lineup to make Big Z ineffective. However, the Pistons will need to keep both of these players off of the boards and out of their comfort zone. Ben Wallace needs to play very well against Carlos Boozer, as that will be his main matchup.) [*]Dominate the boards (The Pistons could always use some extra second chance points. Also, they do not want to allow the Cavaliers to get free offensive possesions. It will be important for all the players to help rebound. Richard Hamilton has been effective recently getting a few offensive rebounds and converting them into easy points. It will be interesting to see if Prince can remain consistent after the great game that he had yesterday.) [*]Get good production from Hamilton and Billups (Both have been playing very well in the last few games. It seems that when these two play well, the team plays well and because of this it is important for them to remain consistent. They will need to get good looks at the basket to maximize their efficiency. Both of them have been attacking the basket and they will look to do the same in this game.) [*]Play good team defense (When playing Lebron, it is important to be able to rotate if he gets penetration or kicks the ball out. Also, it will be important for the Pistons to defend the paint which is where Ben Wallace will play a large role.) [*]Play the Piston's style of basketball (Spread the ball around and get everybody going on the offensive end. Everybody is starting to become consistent again and the Pistons are playing good team ball. This is allowing them to win close games and it will be important tonight.) [/list] Mr_Infante's Prediction Another road game for the Cavs. They have shown that they can win road games, but how about a team over .500? Lets just say this. Cavs can get the job done if LeBron attacks attacks attacks. LeBron's secret strenght is the post up. USE IT. It should keep you out of foul trouble and you would get some calls. Pistons by 5 in a freethrow shootout finish. PyroManiac's Prediction Another great game. Lebron's Cavaliers have been very good recently and he has been having great games. The Pistons have won a few very close games and played a gruesome overtime game yesterday. They should be slightly tired and this will have an effect on their level of play. The Pistons cannot underestimate any of the Cavaliers' players or they will make the Pistons pay. The game will be decided by the team that can play well the whole game. Both teams have the ability to grind it out and make leads vanish so the outcome of the game will not be clear until the very end. The game will be close but the Pistons have shown that they can win close games. Pistons by 5. Thanks to Mr_Infante for allowing me to use part of his preview to get a more authentic look at the game. I recommend that everybody looks at his preview because it is great. Here is the link to it: Mr_Infante's Preview
This should be a good game,good match-ups and lets not forget bragging rights on the boards I expect Pistons to pull it out,after going to overtime last night It's possible the Pistons players will be a little tired,thats where the bench depth comes in.So really It shouldn't be a huge factor. Wallace has to contend Boozer,bottom line...
How could I forget about the bragging rights? As for being tired. The Pistons have played 3 games since Feb 30 with two of the games going into overtime. The bench depth will help even out some of the exhaustion but some of the starters will still be tired. Especially those that always play large amounts of minutes. I still expect the Pistons to pull through with their 5th win in a row.
LeBron will need to have a big game tonight. I want to see him getting to the line alot and making the easy baskets. However, it will be tough and I say Pistons by 6.
Good game. I think this one is going to go down to the wire. But I'll say Cavs by 2 after they get a stop in the fourth.
Another great preview by Pyro. I think this is your best one yet. This game will be a fun one to watch, but I don't think even Lebron can carry his team past one of the best teams in the East. Pistons by 7.
Thanks franchise3. I'm trying to make the interesting and important games have a better preview and this turned out to be the first game that fit my new policy. I made the change because my previews started to get repetitive. (Everybody probably noticed) Also, I don't want to lose my spot on JBB First Team so I have to up the level of my previews and posts in general. Oh, and Piston fans: If you ever have any suggestions or want to help out on a preview or anything, just ask. I'll hook you up. This is going to be a fun game for JBB. The previews were up a little bit earlier so there has been some more discussion. Should be more bragging rights at stake than normal. I predict Ben Wallace will have 11 points, 15 boards, 4 blocks!
Good half, Campbell and Sura saved you guys in the 2nd as the Cavs bench stunk it up for the 2nd straight game in the 2nd quarter. I bet Silas will play his starters long minutes in the 2nd half like he did against the Wizards.
dang, that fourth quarter was pretty bad. 18-11 fourth quarter scoring. props to the Cavs for sticking in there until the end. the Pistons need to work on putting together 4 good quarters.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting iamme:</div><div class="quote_post">aw damn, no call on the Chauncey three ah well, you get some calls, you don't.</div> Billups gets calls only 1 of every 3 I know the Cavs have improved but this was a terrible loss by Detroit.They have looked very bad the last few games,not very convincing thats for sure.Every time Pistons lose,so do the Pacers Typical uh
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">^ I am sure you don't mind that too much though.</div> Pistons losing when pacers do? No I do mind,as that means Pistons chances of jumping ahead of Indy decrease every time.Pistons will need homecourt throughout the playoffs again to go to the finals.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">Billups gets calls only 1 of every 3 I know the Cavs have improved but this was a terrible loss by Detroit.They have looked very bad the last few games,not very convincing thats for sure.Every time Pistons lose,so do the Pacers Typical uh</div> of course we have the benefit of instant replay, but i wish he would have dribble to the right after the pump fake and shot the three. during the game, i don't mind if he tries to draw the foul, but he's got to stop doing that at the end of the game. especially with the scrutiny the refs have been getting lately, i forsee them making less last-second calls.
Well, we would rather have us win when the Pacers lose. However, if they do not gain on us, we have no real issues. Good game but a dissapointing loss. The Pistons need to become more consistent and be able to play well all 4 quarters, not just the 2nd and 3rd. Recap and Box Score are coming soon.
