By Will
Cavs Rewind + Preview (12.8-12.21)
The Cavs split their four game last week winning the first two against Brooklyn and Toronto then losing in Oklahoma City and New Orleans. It was a promising start when we blew out Brooklyn in the 2nd half Monday night in front of the Royal couple and followed it up with a huge come from behind win over the Raptors. All good things come to an end though and the Cavs winning streak was snapped at 8 when they fell to OKC on the road. LeBron did not play in the game due to a sore knee, and while the team played tough, Durant and Westbrook were too much and we couldn’t get over the hump in another comeback bid. LeBron came back against the Pelicans AND Anthony Davis left the game in the 1st quarter. Easy win right? Nope, Ryan Anderson went for 30 and we played no defense and lost.
Brooklyn Nets:
The Nets hung tough in the first half before the Cavs went off in the second. It’s fun seeing this team click on all cylinders and destroy people. Jay-Z still can’t believe LeBron made that fadeaway.
LeBron nearly caused an international incident by violating “royal protocol” and putting his arm around Duchess Kate.
Toronto Raptors:
The Cavs looked bad early in this game and it seemed like the winning streak was going to end at 7 games but the team fought back from 14 down in the 2nd half to pull off an impressive comeback capped off by LeBron’s record tying 3 from the top of the key (tied Mark Price for Cavs all time 3-pointers made with 802). The Cavs got a big defensive contribution from Delly as they held the Raptors to 13 points in the 4th quarter. LeBron had 35. Dion stayed hot with 18 on 7-10 shooting.
Oklahoma City Thunder:
LeBron missed his first game of the season after being ruled out on gametime decision due to a sore knee. We still have Kyrie and Love, yes, but it doesn’t make it easy when your competition is Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Big time scare at the end of the first half in this game when Kyrie landed awkwardly on his left leg and his knee buckled. At first look most people thought ACL which would have been a disaster but Kyrie must have gotten some Lance Harbor halftime treatment because he came out and played the second half as if nothing had happened. I’m glad our season didn’t end. The Cavs played the Thunder tough and were only down 4 with just over a minute left but Durant scored the final 8 points for the Thunder and put the game away in crunch time. This was the Cavs first loss since November 22nd. I’m kind of scratching my head as to why we tried to put Kyrie on Durant in the final possessions. I appreciate that Kyrie wants to step up and guard the other team’s best player but when that player is 6’10” maybe it’s not the best idea. Durant just shot right over Irving for 4 of the final 8 points.
New Orleans Pelicans:
I’m going to chalk this loss up to being the team’s fourth game in five nights. LeBron sure appeared to be fresh having sat against OKC as he went for 41-5-5 but not much else went right for the Cavs. The defense looked awful and even without Anthony Davis the Pelicans were able to put up 119 points. Tyreke Evans played like it was 2009, back when he was winning the rookie of the year, going for 31 points and 10 assists.
The week ahead:
Charlotte Hornets:
We play our first of four games this week at home against the generally disappointing Charlotte Bobca…I mean Hornets. This will be LeBron’s first time on the court against Lance Stephenson since Lance decided it would be a good idea to blow in his ear. Lance was supposed to be a big signing for the Hornets this offseason but so far he’s been a big disappointment and there have even been rumblings they might try and trade him. Cavs should get back on the winning track and handle the Hornets by 7.
Editor’s note: This game happened last night and the Cavs won by 9.
Atlanta Hawks:
The Hawks have been one of the surprise teams in the league this year, off to a 16-7 start. Looking at their roster I’m still not sure how. I guess having a healthy Al Horford this year to go with Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver, and Paul Milsap gives them a good core but there is no superstar late game finisher there. I won’t guarantee a victory but we should win this game against the overachievers from Atlanta. Cavs by 3.
Brooklyn Nets:
Cavs get their second look at the Nets in as many weeks. After trouncing them by 22 in Brooklyn the Nets will come out and play hard but with rumors about D-Will, Brook Lopez, and Joe Johnson all on the trade block I doubt these guys will really play that well this season. Cavs by 8.
Memphis Grizzlies:
It seems like we have at least one really tough game every week and this game is it. Memphis is off to a great start this season with a record of 19-4 at the beginning of the week. They are monsters on the defensive end of the floor and behind Marc Gasol can still score enough to pull out some tough victories at the end of games. Tony Allen has always given LeBron trouble and Randolph and Gasol’s length could bother Love. If we do manage to take down the hot Grizzlies we will need Kyrie to break out of the slump he has been in and take it to Mike Conley. Grizzlies by 6.
Bottlegate 