This game sees the 14-9 Cleveland Cavaliers take on the 10-14 New Jersey Nets at the Continental 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 Eric Snow @ <font color="#0B355E">C Nenad Krstic PF Antoine Wright SF Richard Jefferson SG Vince Carter PG Jason Kidd <u>New Jersey Nets</u></font></div> <u>Key Matchup</u> – SG – Larry Hughes v Vince Carter v The potentially critical, though certainly pivotal, matchup of this game is at the 2 spot. It sees Larry Hughes and his defensive prowess throw it all at Vince Carter and his offensive explosions. When healthy, Hughes has been playing solid basketball, averaging 14 points (on career-best 45% shooting), 3 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal (though he has amassed 27-9-6-4 is the respective categories in separate games). Carter, however, is having a career year so far in points and rebounds. He is averaging 25.9 points and 6.1 rebounds in addition to nearly 4 assists and just over a steal per game. There is no real doubt that Carter is the player in better form and with better skills at present, but Hughes’ defense could well hinder the superstar’s progress and provide the Cavaliers with a more viable chance of a victory. [div=50%] <font color="#0B355E"><u>Nets’ Keys to Victory</u> <ul> [*]Contain LeBron James. As per usual, the opposing team must stop LeBron James from scoring too many and, if they succeed in this, stand a much greater chance of winning than if they don’t. [*]Send the Cavaliers to the free throw line. The Cavaliers are the third-worst shooting team in the League from the charity stripe, and it is essential for the Nets to use this to their own advantage. [*]Play through Jason Kidd. Kidd is in tremendous form as he is scoring, rebounding and creating chances for others almost at will. If he has another fantastic night tonight, the Cavaliers could struggle immensely. [/list] </font> [/div] <font color="#B94056"><u>Cavaliers’ Keys to Victory</u> <ul> [*]Score 100. When the Cavaliers score 100, they simply do not lose. In the past 19 games in which they have scored 100 or more points, they have not lost a single game. With that ominous record going for them, the Nets will find it hard to beat them if they do achieve 100. [*]Play through LeBron James. He is one of the most talented players in the game, capable of winning games for the Cavaliers with little help at all. He can create shots for himself and for others, and this makes him a death-trap for his opponents. [*]Play for blocked shots. The Nets give up 5.3 blocks per game and these can be momentum shifting plays that are the difference between winning and losing. If the Cavs out-block the Nets by a substantial figure, the momentum gained could be too much for the Nets to overcome. [/list] </font> <u>Prediction</u> The Cavaliers and the Nets have met 11 times since LeBron James entered the League, and the Cavs have won 4 times to the Nets’ 7. The Cavaliers average 94.1 points per game, whilst the Nets average 100.2. LeBron James, himself, averages 26.5 points 6.2 rebounds and 7.5 assists. If he can come up with a similarly all0round performance tonight, the Nets could have serious problems. I feel that the Cavaliers have the edge over the Nets due to their inside presence and their extra day’s rest (3 days as opposed to the Nets’ 2). <font color="#B94056">103</font>-<font color="#0B355E">98</font>
LeBron has to drive in. He has a very strong body and he'll get many 3-point plays out of driving in. Ofcourse, his range is good, too. But his strongest side is driving in. I hope that Hughes can hold Carter under 30 points. But on the other hand. Jefferson is finding is touch again. And with having Kidd on PG - Everything can happen. 87-91 (Nets win).
Is it just me or does Lebron seem a tad bit "too" unselfish this season....he's letting the game come to him a lot.
Damn. A frustruating 2-point loss. VC was the player of the game problably. 38 points with 10-18 from the floor, 4-5 from the downtown (great) and 14-18 from the line (18 times on the line, good) , 5 assists, 6 rebounds. He also took over the game in the 4rd quarter. James had 37 on 10-22, 1-3 and 16-21 (FG, 3PT, FT). But only 1 rebound ! ;D He also had 8 rebounds. Big Z had 18 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists, pretty good for him ! LeBron will wear sleev for the rest of his career now ? Or just for a certain time ?
