Editor’s note: This was originally supposed to be posted on Tuesday morning but your boy Mike here got sidetracked with holiday fever and completely forgot about it. I’m sorry.
By Will:
Cavs Rewind + Preview (12.15-12-28)
Thank god for the Cavs. My Browns depression and disgust was cut short this week with the Cavs tipping off at 4:30 on Sunday and taking me back to my Cleveland happy place. This week had three solid wins and one HUGE loss. If it weren’t for a 29-point loss to the Hawks in Cleveland I would be feeling great about the team right now. If we can avoid bad losses like that and keep winning three out of four on a consistent basis we will be on our way back to the promised land, playoff games at the Q. Not that the playoffs are even in question this year, I just like thinking about it as much as I can.
Charlotte Hornets:
We bounced back nicely in our first game after back-to-back losses, starting the game against Charlotte on a 21-0 run. I read that’s the biggest lead to start a game since like 1994. Good work team. Unfortunately we didn’t pitch the shutout and the Hornets managed to get back in the game and only trailed by 3 early in the third quarter. Then our foot went back on the gas and the squad pulled away for a comfortable 9 point W.
Atlanta Hawks:
I didn’t see much of this game and I’m pretty glad about it. I know Shelvin Mack went 6 for 6 on threes after he was like 3 of 27 on the season coming in. We pretty much played no defense on Mack or anyone else in a Hawks jersey. They shot 64.5% from the field as a team, including 57% from three. Forget this one and move on.
Brooklyn Nets:
This kind of feels like a cheap win to me. Brooklyn was missing Brook Lopez to injury. Deron Williams left the game after only 10 minutes. Sergey Karasev started. It just wasn’t really a fair fight from the start. Especially when Mike Miller goes off for SEVEN 3’s on only eight shots. Miller stole the show in his first appearance in the starting lineup and made David Blatt look like a genius. LeBron had 9 assists, many of them coming to Miller for open treys. Cavs won by 4 in a game that wasn’t as close as the final score.
Memphis Grizzlies:
The Grizzlies came into this game with the second best record in the league and playing great ball. Last week they knocked off Golden State, ending the Warriors 16 game win streak and then for an encore, beat the Spurs in a 3OT thriller. With the way the Cavs have been up and down I figured this to be a loss but we showed up in a big way. Kyrie outplayed Mike Conley in a big way and finished with 17 points and tie a career high with 12 assists. LeBron also hit double digit assist with 11 to go along with 25 points. Dion and Andy had 21 and 18 respectively and the Cavs won by 14 in their best team effort of the season.
Cavs finished the week at 16-10 and are currently 2nd place in the Central Division and the 5 seed in the East.
The Week Ahead:
Minnesota Timberwolves:
The reunion we’ve all been waiting for in Cleveland. Anthony Bennett and Andrew Wiggins return!! This game should be a fun one to watch between seeing the Cavs beat up on a bad team and the dunks we’ll get from the T-Wolves young leapers. Cavs by 11.
Miami Heat:
Once you’ve suffered through your once a year trip to church, opened all the of starbucks gift cards from your extended family even though you don’t drink coffee, and put down about three plates of Christmas turkey or ham you can settle in for the NBA main event of Christmas. LeBron, AND THE CAVS!!!!!!!!!, take their talents to South Beach. GOD THAT FEELS GOOD TO SAY. Fuck you Miami, Fuck you Dan LeBatard, Fuck you fake Miami “fans.” Man I am excited for this game!! I predicted before the season that Miami will beat us once this year but it won’t be this game. Cavs by 46.
Editor’s note: Oops
Orlando Magic:
After the Cavs embarrass the Heat on national TV Thursday night (oops again) we’ll wash it down with a nice cake game against the Magic. When the Cavs played Orlando in Cleveland earlier this year they waltzed to a 30+ point victory while I stuffed my face and guzzled beer in the club level VIP. (PS if you’re going to a Cavs game this year, bid on tickets on FlashSeats – I got those VIP seats for $45 – asking price was $170). Cavs by 13.
Detroit Pistons:
The Pistons cut Josh Smith today (4 days ago). I repeat, the Pistons cut. Josh. Smith. today (repeat: 4 days ago). This team is a total trainwreck right now and in no shape to compete against talented basketball. I just had a conversation about how weird that is considering they have Brandon Jennings, KCP, Greg Monroe, and Andre Drummond. All talented guys, but with Jennings and (until now) Josh Smith they played way too much hero ball to win in the Association. Cavs finish a week of blowout with a 14 point win.
If all goes well and we sweep the week we’ll be sitting at 20-10 and feeling pretty damn good.
Bottlegate 