The circumstances are completely different, but after watching today's game VS the 76ers, this team reminds me of the 2008-2009 Regular Season Cavaliers.
The first quarter featured a 0 for 13 start. The second and third quarters were a game of catch-up and fall-behind. Two of the top 8 in the rotation were not playing. 2 of the other guys were in a mini-slump. And despite all that, we out-executed them in the fourth quarter. It was a game we could have lost easily, but turned it on once we finally caught up.
Similar to this year, the '08-'09 Cavs played a lot of games they deserved to lose, but turned it on when they felt they could. And had guys step up when not normally in the rotation. Like the March 2009 game VS Sacramento. They looked beaten, but fought it out to OT while Pavlovic brought a good game for the fourth quarter.
But even though we are missing a taller/larger rim protector and a NBA-ready backup PG, this teams seems more put together and set to succeed once the playoffs start. Filling in those holes may take some time, but we wouldn't want to have the post-season play out like it did against Orlando.
I'm looking forward to seeing this play out. Could we see one of our better W-L records by April?