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**remy23** · 04-25-2006, 08:09 PM

Game 3

Cleveland Cavaliers (1-1) @ Washington Wizards (1-1)

Friday, April 28, 2006
Time: 5:00pm PT, 8:00pm ET
TV: ESPN
Radio: WTAM 1100
Location: Verizon Center, Washington, D.C.

HEAD COACHES

PROBABLE STARTERS

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS’ BENCH

WASHINGTON WIZARDS’ BENCH

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS’ NOTES

• Cleveland must take better care of the ball after essentially tossing a game away with bad passes. Sometimes the Cavs were trying to force passes that weren’t there. It’s better to take a bad shot and at least get a shot off for a possession, than to toss the ball away and not even get a shot at the basket.

• Marshall and Murray need to rebound after a sub par game. If neither can help spread the floor for LeBron, Coach Brown needs to bring Damon Jones into the game sooner. Hopefully Varejao can get more minutes and have a strong game as well.

WASHINGTON WIZARDS’ NOTES

• Keep the same game plan from the last game to make LeBron a jump shooter. Grab the long rebounds caused from forcing Cleveland to play a perimeter offense and run.

• Encourage Cleveland to run and trade baskets, while the big three finds their groove. If Arenas can penetrate, Butler knock down jumpers and Jamison nail teardrops and floaters, the Wizards will continue to roll offensively. Go for a high scoring game.

OVERVIEW

There is a saying that the playoffs don’t officially begin until you lose a home game. If that’s the case, consider Cleveland in deep now. To combat the Wizards' trio, LeBron is going to need two other guys to have big games. Perhaps Gooden will continue where he left off, or maybe Zydrunas will bounce back from a game in which he fully didn’t settle down in. With the Cavaliers, losing can be a prelude to longer streaks, where the roller coaster of despair, inconsistency and anger rolls on and on, as a road that winds forever. Was the second game merely a momentary slip, or a precursor of dreadful things to come?

LeBron James has shown an ability to rebound after sub par games but he alone cannot win this game. Unlike the Wizards who have a trio that can generally be penciled in every game to contribute, Cleveland's trio changes every game. Who will be the heroes this time?

futuristxen · 04-25-2006, 08:17 PM

I'm interested to see the Cavs competitive response after tonight's game. After the loss apparently many of the Wizards players were talking garbage and mocking the Cavs players. In particular Caron Butler who was mocking Lebron.

I expect Z and Lebron to both come out a lot more aggressive in game 3. I don't know why Lebron played game 2 like he did, but the way the Wizards played him, he should have been going to the basket everytime and getting layups.

Also I thought Anderson never really got going tonight. Pretty much unless your name is Drew Gooden or Larry Hughes, you don't have a lot to be proud of from tonight.

Right now the series is tied 1-1, but if the Cavs win game 3, then that puts them right back in the driver seat.

**Benedict_Boozer** · 04-25-2006, 08:27 PM

What I think happened with Lebron was once the Wiz backed off him early, and he missed some jumpers, he started forcing the drive and getting hit with offensive fouls. It kind of compounded into him avoiding charges with scoop shots and off balance layups and runners.

What I still don't understand is what happened to his decision making passing the ball. It's like he completely lost confidence in his handle and sharpness reading the defense - i've never seen that before with Lebron. We can't have that again or we are screwed, HE IS the offense. He was even making mistakes in transition, THAT NEVER HAPPENS.

The gameplan I feel was fine, the defensive matchups are fine.

**remy23** · 04-25-2006, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by futuristxen

I'm interested to see the Cavs competitive response after tonight's game. After the loss apparently many of the Wizards players were talking garbage and mocking the Cavs players. In particular Caron Butler who was mocking Lebron.

If I were coach, I'd make LeBron watch the tape of that before coming out on the court. Force LeBron to watch the mockery, then have James play pissed from the opening tap. Turn the situation into a motivational tool, a positive.

**Benedict_Boozer** · 04-25-2006, 08:47 PM

^Show him a tape of Butler mocking him, and a boxscore. That should be all he needs.

Morongk22 · 04-25-2006, 10:12 PM

Well Friday's game will give Lebron the chance to prove that he is for real come playoff and crunch time. The way this team has been up and down I wouldnt be suprised if Game 3 will decide who wins this series

On a side note I am still suprised Damon hasnt gotten any PT, he shoots somewhere around 40% from behind the line in the playoffs and he was on a tear the last month of the season, Flip is struggling thus far maybe its time for an adjustment.

One on One · 04-25-2006, 10:15 PM

Just a note, but it is the Verizon Center now. We have switched phone companies.

**remy23** · 04-25-2006, 10:33 PM

Thanks for the info; changed it.

www.sportsinferno.com · 04-25-2006, 11:00 PM

Should be an interesting game. Washington was 27-14 at home this year and should take this next game just because Butler and Jamison play so much better at home apposed to on the road.

Hughes is the guy that needs to step up for you cavs fans...Lebron needs someone to take the pressure off him. Insert Mike James next year...would be nice for you guys.

**remy23** · 04-26-2006, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Have faith in Cavs, James for Game 3

By Terry Pluto

CLEVELAND - Cavaliers fans, no reason to panic.

You've just been re-introduced to the playoffs.

As you stare at the box score of the Cavs' 89-84 loss to the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night at Quicken Loans Arena, ask yourself a few questions.

Have you seen LeBron James more confused, more frustrated in a big game?

Before answering that question, just remember that just as easily as the Cavs lost this Game 2 of the best-of-seven first-round series, they can win Game 3 on Friday night in Washington.

Because of James, the Cavaliers can do that.

How many times have we seen James at his best after a game where he was at a low point?

This was the kind of game after which James will bite those fingernails down to his knuckles. He also had a statistical shocker -- 26 points, nine rebounds and, yes, 10 turnovers.

Even more disturbing was James having only two assists, shooting a rim-bending 7-of-25 and missing a wide-open two-handed reverse slam.

James stared at the rim as if someone had moved it as he soared to slam.

He then looked at the floor, as if something was wrong with his shoes.

He shook his head, probably trying to remember when was the last time something like that happened.

Probably in the third grade for this basketball prodigy.

That's right, James missed an uncontested dunk.

That's right, 10 turnovers to two assists.

That's right, 28 percent shooting from the field.

Actually, none of that is right if you know James.

This is not meant to put down the Cavs' 21-year-old star. It is simply to point out that he had a miserable performance, especially coming off Game 1.

He had 32 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds in the Cavs' impressive 97-86 victory in the series opener Saturday.

And the Cavs nearly won, anyway.

The problem wasn't just James.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas seemed like a man lost in an airport, unsure of where to stand in line, where to find his luggage, how to flag down a cab.

In 30 minutes, the 7-foot-3 center had only nine points (3-of-13 shooting), with seven rebounds.

And the Cavs' reserves who were so effective in Game 1?

Give them five points, 2-of-11 shooting in 51 invisible minutes. Anderson Varejao had more fouls (four) than rebounds (three).

The only Cavalier who really distinguished himself was the relentless Drew Gooden, who had 24 points, 16 rebounds and missed only one shot.

Washington's Big Three of Caron Butler (21 points), Antawn Jamison (21 points) and Gilbert Arenas (30 points) all had good games.

There are reasons that emphasis is given to a team having the homecourt advantage, which the Cavs do in this series. That's because in any series, if each team wins a road game, that sets up a Game 7 -- and the home court really counts.

There's something else for Cavs fans to realize.

They've never had a superstar like James in the playoffs. Just as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and other greats have been able to neutralize much of the homecourt impact for the opposition, James can do the same in Washington this weekend.

It's just human nature in the NBA, but stars often receive favorable treatment from officials regardless of where they play. James also can silence an opposing crowd with a dunk, a pass, a slice-and-dice drive.

James is a bright player. He'll look at the game tapes. He'll study what the Wizards did to defend him -- which was basic double teams, nothing especially complicated.

What the Cavs need to do is find a way for James and his teammates to get the ball to Ilgauskas near the basket. They need to play with the same defensive determination that they showed in Game 1.

What was this game?

Just one loss, nothing more.

Except perhaps a chance for James and his teammates to grow a little more.

Larry Hughes for Retirement · 04-26-2006, 01:47 AM

You can look at this one of two ways.

1) This could be a typical Cleveland (Cavs,Indians,Browns) like heartbreaking series. And the Wiz have finally found a way to defend Lebron James, were on the road, and Zydrunas is no where to be found.

2)This was just a horrible game by Lebron, it happens to the best. He was tired down the stretch, which is probably why he was missing the easy layups around the rim that he was finishing in the 1st quarter. And this Drew Gooden is the same gooden we have had all year just Mike Brown is letting him play 43 minutes instead of 27 minutes he was giving him in the regular season giving way to Marshall.

P.S
I suspect a hard foul to be coming from AV to anyone of the Wizards starting 5. And I am guessing the league will be waiting for this. (aka the Pistons game)

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