Tonight at 7 pm the CLEVELAND CAVALIERS will host the PHOENIX SUNS at the Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, and try to get back in the playoff chase.
CLEVELAND had won 7 games in a row, until they lost the last two to UTAH(97-88) and DETROIT(96-76). In those two losses they shot 31 of 75(vs UTAH)41% and 29 of 76(vs DET)38% considerably less than the previous 7 games. Some blame these two losses on not having Jeff McGinnis in the line up due to a bruised shoulder. I'm not really buying that total package. Yes, it may have had some effect on their play, but in my opinion Lebron James, Carlos Boozer and Zydrunas Ilgauskas are quite capable of picking up the slack. All they need is a little help from Kevin Ollie and Dejaun Wagner and a few points from the bench, which I think they will get tonight. Paul Silas is a damn good coach, and I do believe that he will put in the proper scenarios to produce a covered win tonight.
In the first meeting this year, at the America West Arena, in only the second game of the season PHOENIX reigned superior 95-86. Labron was still a virgin at that point in time, but still put in 21 points and 12 rebounds, but missed 4 of 5 three pointers and was responsible for 7 of the CAV'S 20 turnovers. He was green and it showed. Ricky Davis, who is no longer in the lineup, scored 22 to lead CLEVELAND, and Ilgauskas could only muster 13 and Boozer 11.
The SUNS Amare Stoudemire scored 25 and he will likely approach that number this evening. Stephon Marbury, no longer with Phoenix, had 24 and Shawn Marion put in 15. This game was not as lopsided as the score indicates for CLEVELAND outscored them 37 of 84 to 33 of 79 and made 5 (3's) to the SUN's 2. But CLEVELAND sent PHOENIX to the free throw line 38 times(made 27) and got there themselves only 12 times, making 7. Line on PHOENIX was -9 and 188'.
Stoudemire, a rookie of the year, is good and Shawn Marion has much success, but they can"t carry the mail tonight against Ilgauskas, James and Boozer.
In that earlier game Cleveland had the lead 67-65 with 3:35 left in the third quarter, and led 75-74 with 8:53 left in the game. Pretty good for a 19 year old rookie in only his second NBA game ever.
My play is on the CAVS tonight.
