Cavs/Nets ... GAME FOUR

[swerb]

Cleveland Cavaliers at New Jersey Nets - Game Four (Cavs lead series 2-1)

7:00 PM - Continental Airlines Arena

Coverage on TNT - Reggie Miller and Dick Stockton on the call

Cleveland Cavaliers

50-32 regular season record, 6-1 playoff record

(Statistics below are playoff averages)



C Zydrunas Ilgauskas - 36 min, 15.4 ppg, 10.7 rpg, 53% FG, 84% FT



PF Drew Gooden - 34 min, 13.4 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 53% FG, 77% FT



SF LeBron James - 45 min, 26.6 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 8.7 apg, 1.6 spg, 42% FG, 29% 3pt, 80% FT



SG Alexsander "Sasha" Pavlovic - 29 min, 9.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.1 spg, 41% FG, 29% 3pt, 64% FT



PG Larry Hughes - 43 min, 18.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.7 spg, 41% FG, 32% 3pt, 80% FT

New Jersey Nets

41-41 regular season record, 5-4 playoff record

(Statistics below are playoff averages)



C Jason Collins - 28 min, 2.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 65% FG, 44% FT



PF Mikki Moore - 32 min, 9.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 53% FG, 71% FT



SF Richard Jefferson - 39 min, 21.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.2 apg, 50% FG, 33% 3pt, 93% FT



SG Vince Carter - 40 min, 24.4 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 4.6 apg, 41% FG, 40% 3pt, 71% FT



PG Jason Kidd - 39 min, 14.6 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 12.2 apg, 1.8 spg, 47% FG, 48% 3pt, 67% FT

[swerb]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview?gid=2007051417

Cleveland at New Jersey

Game Info: 7:00 pm EDT Mon May 14, 2007

By TOM CANAVAN, AP Sports Writer

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- LeBron James has no intention of letting the New Jersey Nets turn him into an outside shooter and passer again.

While many may point to another triple-double by Jason Kidd or the Nets' ability to rebound and score in transition as the keys to Game 3 on Saturday, the real difference was New Jersey's success in keeping the 22-year-old Cavs superstar on the outside with myriad defenses.

James was double- and triple-teamed. His route along the baseline was closed off. And when he tried to go down the lane, a Nets big man stepped up and blocked his path. The result was a 96-85 victory that cut Cleveland's lead in the series to 2-1.

"There were times where I could have attacked a little bit more," James said Sunday before the Cavaliers practiced at John Jay College in New York. "That's why I watch a lot of film."

The loss ended the Cavaliers' franchise-record, six-game postseason winning streak and a 10-game run dating to the final weeks of the regular season. It also puts the pressure on James and the Cavaliers for the first time in the playoffs, with New Jersey looking to tie the series in Game 4 on Monday night at Continental Airlines Arena.

"It's not like the end of the world," said James, who only went to the basket five times on 16 shots. "It's not like the NCAA tournament where you lose one game and you're out. I got Game 4 to better myself and I'll be better, I'll be better tomorrow."

A look at the Game 3 final box may suggest that James played well with 18 points and 12 assists, accounting for 42 points.

What the box doesn't show is that James' failure to get into the paint meant that Mikki Moore and Jason Collins didn't have to provide help defense for the Nets, and left them in better position to box out on defense.

After getting 39 offensive rebounds in the first two games of the series in Cleveland, the Cavs were limited to five in Game 3.

"It's all about making him feel uncomfortable," Nets forward Bostjan Nachbar said of James, who was 5-of-16 from the field. "We're trying to make him create more and limit his ability to get to the rim."

Cavaliers coach Mike Brown scoffed at the idea that the Nets suddenly found a way to handle James, who averaged 28.5 points in the first two games. He said teams have always thrown gimmick defenses at James.

Brown's only complaint was that James seemed to settle for a couple of jumpers, with the two biggest coming with the Cavaliers trailing 77-73 with about 9 minutes to play.

"I think he's like the third-leading scorer in the playoffs, or something like that ... for me, it's not the end of the world," Brown said. "I want him to attack if it's there. If he can score any time he has the ball, he's got the green light to do it. But if he feels that his teammate is open and he makes that pass, then I got to live with that, too."

The bottom line is that James has to be more aggressive. If he can't get to the rim, he probably will have to post his man up closer to the basket, since he has the size and strength to do that.

James also can't settle for 16 shots. That's four fewer than Cavs point guard Larry Hughes took.

"I think he needs to mix it up," Brown said. "I do think he needs to sit down deep sometimes, which may not allow them to come double him as quickly or as effectively. He might be able to go quick and score. I want him to step out on the floor, too, so they don't see the same thing every time."

The Nets expect James to adjust.

"He can get to the basket," said Kidd, who had 23 points, 14 assists and 13 rebounds in posting his 11th playoff career triple-double, second most in NBA history. "We just try to make it as tough as possible."

The one problem that could ruin the Nets would be if James and Hughes hit their outside shots. Then New Jersey would have to adjust.

"We're looking to take a 3-1 lead and go back home," James said. "We're still up two games to one, they're chasing us. We're just going to go out there and play well and be ready to play."

Cavaliers reserve forward Donyell Marshall had a walking boot on his left foot on Sunday and his status for Game 4 is uncertain. He said he landed on someone's foot going for a rebound in the second half.

[swerb]

LeBron ends with 38, Vince Carter with 37 ... the Cavs and Nets redux the 1st meeting between the two teams in December as the Cavs win a high scoring thriller.

99-98 Cavs, Bron makes the game winner on a clear out against Jefferson with 2 seconds left.

[Kuiper]

In a game where no one is making any shots and they're calling the game close, we have to make our FTs. We can't have Gooden go to the line and pitch a goose egg.

[Kuiper]

Lost in the ineptitude that is Larry Hughes' shooting percentage from non-three land is the fact that Kidd is 1 for 9 and Carter is 3 for 10. At halftime, we're getting beat by the Nets' bench and their secondary players. If their three amigos get going, we're in trouble.

[consigliere]

Nice of Lebron to show up finally in the 2nd quarter. We gots ourselves a game folks, and potentially a series.

[pup]

Bam, Bam, Bam

Three trips, three triples. Nice.

[swerb]

THAT ... was awesome. Great 11-0 run.

LeBron and Larry 5-7 from three, and 41 of the Cavs 60 points.

[swerb]

Mikki Moore? I hate this guy.

[BruceK]

I like Mandy Moore better than Mikey Moore

[pup]

Buckle up boys...4th quarter time

[pup]

Don't get in love with Eric Snow down the stretch here, please.

[He Gone]

Time for Bron to take over...

Cmon LBJ

[He Gone]

What a bullshit call.

Lebron was clearly fouled, commmmmmmmmmmmmmme on.

[He Gone]

I LOVE SASHA!

It seems like he gets in EVERYONES head. Just love it, you see him and Vince jawin at eachother? THATS GREAT!

On the flip side, Mikkey Moore is a complete asshole.

[pup]

Sasha talking Vince Carter right off the floor.

[StewieG]

Sasha's in carter's head. Carter keeps jawing at him. To Sasha's credit, he wasn't backing down.

Carter's such a prick. I hate that guy.

[He Gone]

Amen, im glad im not the only one here...

I was getting lonely guys.

[He Gone]

Damnit AV.

No more STUPID fouls.

Lets go bron, start gettin it goin.

DRIVEE DRIVE DRIVE!

[StewieG]

This one's coming down to the last shot...

[He Gone]

GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGOD DAMNIT.

Lets hope the Cavs can play D.

Thats what your here for Mike Brown, do your job.

LETS GO CAVS!!!

[pup]

Let him go to the fuckinh hoop Snow you idiot!

[He Gone]

FREE THROWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lets see how mature this cavs team really is...

They might have missed these upcoming FT's in the middle of the season, lets see what happens.

This should be interesting, seeing who gets the ball, and depending on how many they hit, who takes the lasts hot for the nets...

PLAYOFF BASKETBALL IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[He Gone]

Nets will try to take it to OT.

DEFENSE!~

[pup]

FFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKK

[pup]

SSSSSSSSSSWWWWWWWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETTTTTTTTTT.


Way to go Vince!!!!

[He Gone]

ERIC SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


HUH!!!!


WHAT IS HE GOOOOOD FOOORRRRRRRRRRRRR.....



DEFENSE!!!!!!!!!!

[swerb]

Eric Freaking Snow.

Still one of the best defenders in basketball.

[He Gone]

Great inbounds play to end the game, good play drawn up br Mike Brown!

CAVS ARE UP 3-1~

[StewieG]

Phew...

[swerb]

Whew ... that was grueling. Clearly, an enormous win.

Vince Carter is so overrated. Another gork with the game on the line. And hes missed free throws late in games all playoffs.

[StewieG]

Up 3-1, I feel really good about our chances to end it in the next game. Gotta protect the home court and get ready to face Detroit...

[BruceK]

All of us who've been saying bad things about Eric Snow need to apologize for at least one night.


And make the free throws, please!

[StewieG]

SASHA PWNS VINCE

[He Gone]

EVERYONE PWNS VINCE

hahah

I hate that guy

[Dozen]

Man when Pavlovic was pointing at his ear saying "I cant hear you" when Carter was chirping was F'n priceless. Good job Cavaliers! This team seems to have grown up quite a bit.

[swerb]

That effectively ends the Vince Carter Era in New Jersey. He'll foolishly opt out of his deal and go to a team less ready to win than a Jersey team that is Nenad Krstic and one more big man away from being a legit East title contender.

If Im a Nets fan, Im saying good riddance. Its painful to watch this guy limp around the court like hes 38, settle for jumpers, play no D, miss free throws late, and choke at the ends of games like this one and game 5 in Toronto.

[StewieG]

I keep saying, Snow's going to win us a game in the playoffs, and he's going to lose us a game. So far he hasn't lost one, but tonight he won it with the D.

[He Gone]

When we get to the pistons, if we are going to have any chance in beating them, SNOW is going to need to be HUGE!

[swerb]

Remember the job Snow did on Chauncey last year in the Detroit series ...

Snow can be exposed defensively at the top of the key by waterbug guards. But put him on the wing, bodied up to a guy like Vince? Hes so solid technically defensively.

Snow matches up pretty well with Chauncey. Much more so than Kidd, who he can't even really check anymore.

[swerb]

Vince Carter shooting tallies in the first four games of the series ...

7-23
10-26
8-19
6-23

31-91

[leadpipe]

My God. Was that a bad basketball game. They've got to end this next game. I think the non Cavs/Net fan audience for game 5 will be roughly zero.

[consigliere]

That was a great win. And man, I'm with Rich, Vince Carter is very over-rated. I can count at least a dozen times he dribbled to his right to go to the hoop and lost the ball, or a few other times he threw up garbage. He just looks very slow and has no explosion anymore. He was AWFUL tonight with his drives.

Awesome defense by the Cavaliers. THAT is what will take you where you need to go. Let's end this series on Wednesday night and not give the Nets any hope. And, let's get ready for a fucking incredible series with the Pistons.

[Mr. MacPhisto]

Remember the job Snow did on Chauncey last year in the Detroit series ...

Snow can be exposed defensively at the top of the key by waterbug guards. But put him on the wing, bodied up to a guy like Vince? Hes so solid technically defensively.

Snow matches up pretty well with Chauncey. Much more so than Kidd, who he can't even really check anymore.

Gibson may need to see some more time against Billups too. We need two good guys on the floor against Billups and Prince, though I think Pavlovic is showing what he's capable of. He's trying and putting in the effort.

Take care of Jersey in Cleveland and then prepare for the real test in Detroit. We need to take on of the first two in Detroit to have a chance. I do think we can take the Pistons, but this team is going to have to step up. They need to fight for every rebound, hit free throws, and shoot at a higher percentage. Shutting down Detroit beyond the arc will make things easier, but that's a big task.

[Dozen]

What a boob

Carter said a foul should have been called on the play, but then took responsibility for the end result. His teammates said they'd have as much faith in him if he has the ball in his hands at the end of tomorrow's game.

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baske ... ink-2.html

[furls]

That was a great win. And man, I'm with Rich, Vince Carter is very over-rated. I can count at least a dozen times he dribbled to his right to go to the hoop and lost the ball, or a few other times he threw up garbage. He just looks very slow and has no explosion anymore. He was AWFUL tonight with his drives.

You know, he looks like he is not in great physical shape also.

remember this Vince Carter?

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl= ... n%26sa%3DN
He just isnt the athlete he used to be, now he is just a bad shooter.