Game:1 Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers

<div align="center">[7] <span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%">@</span> [2]April 22, 2007 - 12:30 pm ET<span style="color:#FF0000">Game on TNT</span></div><span style="color:#3333FF">Washington Wizards</span> <span style="color:#996633">(41-41)</span><span style="color:#996633">PG</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Antonio Daniels</span> <span style="color:#996633">SG</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">DeShawn Stevenson</span> <span style="color:#996633">SF</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Jarvis Hayes</span> <span style="color:#996633">PF</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Antawn Jamison</span> <span style="color:#996633">C</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Etan Thomas</span> <span style="color:#996633">Key Bench Players:</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Darius Songaila, Michael Ruffin, Calvin Booth, Roger Mason Jr., Brendan Haywood</span><span style="color:#990000">Cleveland Cavaliers</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">(50-32)</span><span style="color:#CC9933">PG</span> <span style="color:#990000">Larry Hughes</span> <span style="color:#CC9933">SG</span> <span style="color:#990000">Sasha Pavlovic</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">Anderson Varejao, Daniel Gibson, Eric Snow, Donyell Marshall, Scot Pollard</span> Injury Report<span style="color:#996633">WAS:</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Gilbert Arenas will not play (torn left knee)</span><span style="color:#996633">WAS:</span> <span style="color:#3333FF">Caron Butler will not play (broken hand)</span><span style="color:#CC9933">CLE:</span> <span style="color:#990000">None To Report. </span> Who To Watch Out For<span style="color:#3333FF">Antawn Jamison</span><span style="color:#996633">Season Stats: 19.8 ppg, 8. rpg, 1.9 apg</span><span style="color:#3333FF">DeShawn Stevenson</span><span style="color:#996633">Season Stats: 11.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.7 apg</span><span style="color:#3333FF">Antonio Daniels</span><span style="color:#996633">Season Stats: 7.1 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 3.6 apg</span><span style="color:#990000">LeBron James</span><span style="color:#CC9933">Season Stats: 27.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 6.0 apg, 1.6 spg</span><span style="color:#990000">Larry Hughes</span><span style="color:#CC9933">Season Stats: 14.9 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 3.7 apg</span><span style="color:#990000">Zydrunas Ilgauskas</span><span style="color:#CC9933">Season Stats: 11.9 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 1.3 bpg</span><span style="color:#990000">Drew Gooden</span><span style="color:#CC9933">Season Stats: 11.1 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.1 apg</span> <div align="center">MatchupsPoint Guard vs.<span style="color:#3333FF">Antonio Daniels</span> <span style="color:#000000">vs.</span> <span style="color:#990000">Larry Hughes</span><span style="color:#000000">Edge: Larry Hughes. -- This is Larry Hughes' chance for payback, part two, against his former team. Hughes gets the edge hands down on both ends of the court because he's a better all-around player then Daniels. Larry will take him in all facets of the game.</span></div><div align="center">MatchupsShooting Guard vs.<span style="color:#3333FF">DeShawn Stevenson</span> <span style="color:#000000">vs.</span> <span style="color:#990000">Sasha Pavlovic</span><span style="color:#000000">Edge: Sasha Pavlovic. -- I would've picked Stevenson if Caron Butler and Gilbert Arenas were playing because those two guys on the floor take the attention away from Stevenson and that's why he's able to play so well. Now the focus is on Stevenson. Pavlovic is bigger and he has his star with him in LeBron.</span></div><div align="center">MatchupsSmall Forward vs.<span style="color:#3333FF">Jarvis Hayes</span> <span style="color:#000000">vs.</span> <span style="color:#990000">LeBron James</span><span style="color:#000000">Edge: LeBron James. -- LeBron is LeBron. He needs to play smart by posting up, going to the basket and don't take too many of those jump shots. No one is the world can defend him when he goes to the hole or post up. His eyes should be wide open now against these Wizards. He's got to be licking his chops.</span></div><div align="center">MatchupsPower Forward vs.<span style="color:#3333FF">Antawn Jamison</span> <span style="color:#000000">vs.</span> <span style="color:#990000">Drew Gooden</span><span style="color:#000000">Edge: Antawn Jamison. -- Jamison is the Wizards' only hope but he doesn't have his two M-16's[Butler and Arenas] with him and he's a pilot with no protection. Jamison will show up because he's a competitor. He may win his battle with Gooden but Gooden will win the series.</span></div><div align="center">MatchupsCenter vs.<span style="color:#3333FF">Etan Thomas</span> <span style="color:#000000">vs.</span> <span style="color:#990000">Zydrunas Ilgauskas</span><span style="color:#000000">Edge: Zydrunas Ilgauskas. -- This is Z's chance to show his value with a good series against the Wizards and he will. He didn't have a great series last year but he will this time because he has something to prove.</span></div><div align="center">MatchupsBenches vs.<span style="color:#3333FF">Brendan Haywood</span> <span style="color:#000000">vs.</span> <span style="color:#990000">Anderson Varejao</span><span style="color:#000000">Edge: Cleveland Cavaliers' bench. -- The Cavs' bench is better because the Wizards are missing players. Their Bench players are now starters.</span></div><div align="center">MatchupsCoaching vs.<span style="color:#3333FF">Eddie Jordan</span> <span style="color:#000000">vs.</span> <span style="color:#990000">Mike Brown</span><span style="color:#000000">Edge: Eddie Jordan. -- Jordan's still going to try to figure it out. Jordan doesn't have his stars and I can't wait to see how he's going to counter. The only chance the Wizards have is in Jordan's coaching.</span></div>Game Notes<span style="color:#990000">Cleveland will face off against the Washington Wizards in the first round of the Playoffs for the second consecutive season. The Cavaliers topped the Wizards 4-2 in last year's series. In six playoff games against the Wizards last season, LeBron James averaged 35.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.7 assists. The Cavaliers went 2-1 against Washington this season including a 99-94 road win in their most recent meeting on April 6. Larry Hughes averaged 21.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game in two games against the Wizards this season. Cleveland went 50-32 in the regular season which tied for the fourth best record in team history (57 in 1988-89 and 1991-92, 54 in 1992-93 and 50 last season). It also marked the second consecutive season with at least 50 wins for just the second time in team history. Cleveland is one of just five teams to win 50 or more games in each of the last two seasons (Dallas, Phoenix, San Antonio and Detroit). Over the final three games of the season, the Cavaliers averaged 30.7 assists per game. Cleveland went 15-1 this season when dishing out 26 or more assists.</span>Everyone take note the Game notes are Cavalier notes because I made this for some Cavalier sites.

 

Nice thread, series would have been close if Butler/Arenas were there. Easy Series for Cleveland IMO. a 4-0 sweep is plausible.

 

Terrible game thread but the Cavs should win this easily, no Gilbert, no Butler, no contest.

 

It is very important for the Wizards to get one win in these first two games. Why? Caron Butler is planning a game three return. He has healed early and plans to play this series, he's a new player compared to who he was last year. I wanna see how he does as a franchise player. We need to limit the Cavs rebounds thats the key for the Wizards.

If the Wizards hope to pull through with Caron one of these two road games has to be a W. We need to get out fast and play with heart. Don't expect the Wizards to be pushovers, we put up a great fight against the Cavs earlier this month without Gil/Caron.

Jarvis needs to shoot a good percentage and not just chuck bad shots, Antawn has to take over as the leader, and Etan/Brendan need to rebound the ball

 

The Cavaliers have problems over-looking teams. We would blow out the New Jersey Nets but then just beat the next two games we have for the normal season. And it were the Bucks and 76ers. If Butler is still coming back I doubt it boost up Washington's chances at winning, why? Simple because he is gonna he rusty and he is gonna have a hard time just coming right into the playoffs. But if he does comeback and has some nice games and the Wizards get one game at least without they might have a chance. Should be a good one, for me anyways.

 

Cavs definitely need to focus and not underestimate them. They play great one game and play terrible vs a terrible team. Jamison can go off for 25+ on any given night. But I still see the Cavs winning this because of the lost of Butler and Arenas.Prediction- Caviliers win 4-1

 

Sasha Pavlovic hair looks way off in that pic!nice write up, should be the cav's owning this series.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Amare320 @ Apr 21 2007, 12:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Sasha Pavlovic hair looks way off in that pic!nice write up, should be the cav's owning this series.</div>Yeah, NBA.com I guess doesn't up-date sh*t unless the season is over or someone got traded. haha.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Cavsrules @ Apr 21 2007, 12:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The Cavaliers have problems over-looking teams. We would blow out the New Jersey Nets but then just beat the next two games we have for the normal season. And it were the Bucks and 76ers. If Butler is still coming back I doubt it boost up Washington's chances at winning, why? Simple because he is gonna he rusty and he is gonna have a hard time just coming right into the playoffs. But if he does comeback and has some nice games and the Wizards get one game at least without they might have a chance. Should be a good one, for me anyways.</div>
You clearly have no idea how valuable Caorn Butler is. He brings such a great amount of consistency, an unstopabble mid range shot, and the ability to power his way through the lane. He will give the Wizards a huge boost. If Caron Butler comes back it goes to at least 6 games. Don't look at the stats (whcih are still good) and expect to think that you know how valuable Caron is.

 

6 games? Stop being a homer, with out Arenas you know this series wont for more then 5.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (elcheato @ Apr 21 2007, 08:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>6 games? Stop being a homer, with out Arenas you know this series wont for more then 5.</div>
Again, you have no idea how valuable Caron Butler is to this team. With him we'll play much better ball. Also, Cavaliers are still in no way a threat to make the finals IMO. I can see conference finals but thats it, they aren't that good very low IQ bball squad.

 

I'm not saying he isn't valuable, all I'm saying is he will be rusty as hell and there is no way in hell he would boost this team enough to beat the Cavaliers. Cleveland has a great shot at making the finals, I bet if you did a poll here only 2-3 people would most likely pick us saying we would go to the finals and the other half laughing at us. I'm sure whoever it is in the ECF the Cavaliers can handle.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Cavsrules @ Apr 21 2007, 09:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I'm not saying he isn't valuable, all I'm saying is he will be rusty as hell and there is no way in hell he would boost this team enough to beat the Cavaliers. Cleveland has a great shot at making the finals, I bet if you did a poll here only 2-3 people would most likely pick us saying we would go to the finals and the other half laughing at us. I'm sure whoever it is in the ECF the Cavaliers can handle.</div>
I never said the Wizards would win, I said that they would put upa fight with Caron's return. Also Caron has battled injuries this year and when he comes back he's always ready to play and nearly at 100%. Wizards nearly beat you earlier in April when we didn't have Caron or Gilbert. Cavaliers are a one man show, you can't go to the Finals with that.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (GArenas @ Apr 21 2007, 09:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I never said the Wizards would win, I said that they would put upa fight with Caron's return. Also Caron has battled injuries this year and when he comes back he's always ready to play and nearly at 100%. Wizards nearly beat you earlier in April when we didn't have Caron or Gilbert. Cavaliers are a one man show, you can't go to the Finals with that.</div>I see them putting up a fight even without Butler, but no doubt about it that would be a huge boost for their team. Wizards nearly beat us in the normal season, Wizards nearly beat us because once again we over looked you guys. But hey, since when does nearly count? If it did, Cleveland would be in the ECF last year.

 

This would have been a lot better of a series if Gilbert and Caron were still healthy. Without them, Lebron and the Cavs will take it in 4 or 5, guarenteed.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Cavsrules @ Apr 21 2007, 09:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I see them putting up a fight even without Butler, but no doubt about it that would be a huge boost for their team. Wizards nearly beat us in the normal season, Wizards nearly beat us because once again we over looked you guys. But hey, since when does nearly count? If it did, Cleveland would be in the ECF last year.</div>
We put up a fight and nearly won. I was never arguing that Wizards would win this series with Caron's return in game three. Wizards will put up a fight, don't expect to cruise over us.

Besides I'm going to game three, and that means we'll own you.

 

I don't expect anything but the Cavaliers to win the series. I don't see us sweeping Washington because we over look teams and take them easily and they come out and beat us. I see us winning in five six the most. I shall go to game three and bring luck to Cleveland, then. :shifty2:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Cavsrules @ Apr 21 2007, 01:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I don't expect anything but the Cavaliers to win the series. I don't see us sweeping Washington because we over look teams and take them easily and they come out and beat us. I see us winning in five six the most.

I shall go to game three and bring luck to Cleveland, then. :shifty2:</div>
Game three is in Washington, lol.

I'm making a sign, haven't decided yet but it will prolly be along the lines of: "F*ck LeTravel

 

I know, I shall go to D.C!LeTravel wont be the one owning you guys, I see my boy coming out and owning. Daniels ain't got sh*t on Hughes.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Cavsrules @ Apr 21 2007, 06:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I know, I shall go to D.C!

LeTravel wont be the one owning you guys, I see my boy coming out and owning. Daniels ain't got sh*t on Hughes. </div>
Meh, Hughes was awful last time, what did he average like 10 PPG in the series?