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**remy23** · 03-14-2005, 02:11 PM

@

4:00 pm PT, 7:00 pm ET
TV: FSOhio, NBALP

The Good: Cleveland has won 2 games in a row at home to nicely set the table for another home game. This being after having a day off to practice and rest.

The Bad: Since Boozer is not playing, the Cavaliers must not face a letdown and come out with diminished intensity. While it would have been nice to face Carlos and get it over with, by Carlos not playing, it hypes up his eventual return even more. When he does return to Cleveland, it will be just as ugly as if he decided to return for this game.

The Ugly: The Jazz are coming off a 62-64 loss to the Pistons in what was a low scoring affair. It’s safe to say they’ll be looking forward to putting up more points on the board this time around. But if for some reason the sluggish pace from the Pistons game creeps its way into this game, we may have a yawn-fest on our hands.

The bench needs to step it up (especially the perimeter guys). When you look at the FG percentages from the wing players (outside of James), most nights it is fairly disappointing. Sasha has a nice game but if he could be more consistent from the outside, he'd turn a corner as a player. One thing many Cavaliers' fans were happy to see was Harris not playing against Indiana. If Sasha has moved ahead of Harris for good, it would be an example of Silas showing an open mind. If these new rotations stick, Cleveland can look forward to good things. But if the old Silas returns, look out. In the meantime, Jiri needs to start settling down out there.

**Pioneer10** · 03-14-2005, 04:20 PM

For all the talk about Loozer, I'm actually much more forward to see how Lebron does against ak47. The do it all on offense versus do it all on defense player. Should be fun to watch

LuckyAC · 03-14-2005, 04:25 PM

Well, AK is more of a team defender, affecting all 5 other players, not necessarily a guy who shuts down his guy man to man, though he is pretty good at that as well.

**Benedict_Boozer** · 03-14-2005, 07:32 PM

I have tickets for this game and of course Boozer ducks it. I had a feeling he wasn't going to show up, but who knows maybe he is really hurt (

)

Let's hope Silas sticks with the new rotations, we need this win with Washington steamrolling LA.

**remy23** · 03-14-2005, 08:12 PM

Maybe it is good for Carlos to lay low for now. He's the most hated man in Cleveland and some crazy fans might have it in for him.

**EHL** · 03-14-2005, 08:37 PM

Boozer's been out for about 3 weeks now, but was put on the IR just recently so he can't return even if he wanted to. That foot injury he suffered during the Suns game in late February didn't look that bad. Maybe Utah is slyly pushing to tank for a pick this season?

DJRaz · 03-15-2005, 02:08 PM

cavs in a blowout.
everyone feeling healthy and rested and not fearing the upcoming schedule.
silas called out jmac's defense so he'll either respond or sit.
jiri welsh is gonna show up.
verajoa with the highlight of the night.

Larry Hughes for Retirement · 03-15-2005, 02:50 PM

Did i miss something about Silas calling J-Mac out about his defense ???

I didnt see it in a article or much on a post on this site. I did knotice Snow playing down the stretch but that could mean a # of different things.

Anyone ?

**remy23** · 03-15-2005, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LBJ to LJ for 3

Did i miss something about Silas calling J-Mac out about his defense ???

I didnt see it in a article or much on a post on this site. I did knotice Snow playing down the stretch but that could mean a # of different things.

Anyone ?

There have been articles critizing Jeff's defense but Silas is trying not to make this situation bigger than it is and draw public attention to it.

Snow sparks Cavaliers win with defense

Quote:

The Pacers jumped on the Cavaliers 26-20 in the first quarter. Pacers point guard Anthony Johnson had moments when he looked like Magic Johnson, driving past McInnis, making no-look passes and open, medium-range jump shots.

In 19 minutes against McInnis: Johnson had 11 points, eight assists.

In 17 minutes against Snow: six points, zero assists.

Remember that Anthony Johnson is a career backup, a guy who has passed through six teams (including the Cavaliers) in eight seasons. There was no excuse for how he was chewing up McInnis. He started only because Jamaal Tinsley was hurt. So was Pacers leading scorer Jermaine O'Neal.

Yet, the Cavaliers were behind by three points in the middle of the third quarter when Snow entered the game. The Cavaliers outscored the Pacers by 15 for the rest of the night with Snow in command.

"E-Snow is why we won this game,'' Cavaliers coach Paul Silas said. "Him, and Andy.''

Quote:

Delicate situation

Snow was obtained in the summer to give the Cavaliers depth at the point, but he struggled coming off the bench after starting 225 consecutive games for the 76ers.

Silas has a delicate situation with his point guards. McInnis is a free agent at the end of the season. He has a pretty good idea that the Cavaliers won't sign him.

He's been with five teams in eight seasons and never has handled coming off the bench very well.

Silas knows this, which is why he said, "Nah, it's not smart to do that now,'' when it comes to starting Snow.

But the coach added, "E-Snow played 27 minutes tonight. He could get even more. I'm gonna play the best guys who help us win down the stretch. If that's E-Snow and Andy, then they'll be in there in the fourth quarter.''

The coach talked about "soul searching'' during the six-game losing streak, followed by the light schedule of two games (both wins) in the past week. He knows the Cavaliers have become a soft defensive team.

Opposing point guards are consistently driving around McInnis, forcing the Cavaliers' big men such as Zydrunas Ilgauskas to foul while trying to protect the basket.

Snow will sometimes get beat on defense, but he works at it. He understands the principles and he brings a solid, unselfish attitude the team needs as the playoffs come.

Which is why Silas must find ways to keep him on the court when it means the most.

With the press getting on J-Mac's case and the obvious fact he'll be gone after this season, things are getting a little more tense.

**remy23** · 03-15-2005, 04:45 PM

Good defense, hot shooting and a ton of energy. Let's hope Cleveland bottles this intensity and brings it out in the second half as well.

**Benedict_Boozer** · 03-15-2005, 05:01 PM

Man now i'm mad I sold my tickets, looks like Lebron might get 50 tonight if he can get the minutes.

Tremendous performance, not many players can take over a game like that.

**remy23** · 03-15-2005, 05:12 PM

^

You definately should have gone to the game.

Halftime
Jazz - 32
Cavaliers - 50

The crowd is into the game and James is putting on a show. Outside of AK47, Utah is shooting the ball very poorly. They should warm up a bit in the second half because it is rare to shoot like that for 2 halves of action. On Cleveland's side of the ball, this kind of game allows Silas to put more players in and let guys see more action than they're accustomed to seeing.

DJRaz · 03-15-2005, 05:13 PM

amazing performance. i've been to a lot of cavs-jazz games and always enjoy myself. tonight they look good and the jazz looks terrible. woulda been a fun game to be at.

**Benedict_Boozer** · 03-15-2005, 05:47 PM

Jazz aren't even competing...surprising to see from a Sloan coached team.

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