imshakheisshaq
Towel Waver
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Good game... now, let's give BOS an example of what's to come!
No, just the 11 guys.
Mike Brown was trying to coach a real game here, even though it was over before the 3rd quarter really began :chuckles:.
Cavaliers reset
By Brian Windhorst
October 20, 2009, 10:24PM
Game reset
CAVS 96, MAVERICKS 66
Preseason Game No. 7, at Peterson Event Center, Pittsburgh.
What happened
Playing their starters and top reserves the most minutes in the preseason, the Cavs turned things up as they prepare for the regular season. Five different players scored in double figures as they played their best offensive and defensive game of the preseason by far. The Mavericks rested most of their top players.
The star
Guard Mo Williams scored 16 points and had 11 assists and six rebounds in 30 minutes.
The co-star
Center Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 16 points and seven rebounds.
Highlight
During one play in the third quarter, Williams threw a backward pass to Anthony Parker, who threw a backward pass to Anderson Varejao for a layup.
Lowlight
LeBron James went just 3-of-13 from the floor.
-- Brian Windhorst
Cleveland Cavaliers get serious, have no trouble with Dallas Mavericks
By Brian Windhorst
October 20, 2009, 11:44PM
PITTSBURGH -- The point the Cavaliers were trying to make Tuesday night was driven home at the expense of Matt Carroll.
Early in the third quarter of the Cavs' 96-66 preseason win over the Dallas Mavericks at the Peterson Events Center, Carroll found himself free on what he thought was a breakaway. He should have known by looking at the scoreboard that the Cavs had gotten serious about preparing for next week's regular-season opener. But, instead, he had to learn it the hard way.
As Carroll headed for the rim, LeBron James came soaring in from behind and slammed the ball off the backboard. Carroll did a belly flop on the court, the victim of James' first "chase down" block of the season. By the time Carroll was back on his feet, Shaquille O'Neal was hanging on the rim at the other end after a dunk.
Carroll pleaded for goaltending, but James just gave him a dismissive head shake. Then, two minutes later, James swatted Carroll again from behind, perhaps just for insubordination.
"I'm getting back there," James said. "Both of them were clean."
That's how it went in the sixth preseason game, when the Cavs decided to get serious in playing their front line heavy minutes for the first time.
Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle, perhaps in a bit of gamesmanship after the Cavs rested seven of their top players last Saturday in Dallas, didn't play most of his best players, including Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki. That kept the game from being close and kept the Cavs from playing their starters into the fourth quarter, which coach Mike Brown had wanted.
Regardless of his old boss' intentions, Brown treated the game like a full dress rehearsal and for the first time the team seemed to show some purpose. It was especially clear on defense as the Cavs collectively began to show effort.
They held the Mavericks to 34 percent shooting and picked off nine steals by getting into passing lanes and applying pressure in the half court.
Offensively, the Cavs took the wraps off some new looks, most of it with Mo Williams at the wheel. It turned out to be by far the most productive night individually for most players in the preseason.
Much of it started with Williams, who moved freely in the half court against the Mavericks' second string and repeatedly and easily kept setting up teammates. In 28 minutes, Williams racked up 11 assists and also scored 16 points and pulled down six rebounds. In all, the Cavs had 29 assists on 38 baskets and 19 fast-break points.
"We got into a little groove as a team," Williams said. "Going into a game knowing you're going to play a lot of minutes, it feels good."
The wicked blocks aside, James still looked a little less than his best as he continues to recover from the flu. He missed some good looks and even missed a dunk at one point. He finished just 3-of-13 from the field with 12 points, although he did have seven assists and two steals.
O'Neal had his lowest-scoring game of the preseason as the Cavs looked to work on offensive sets that didn't involve him as much. He finished with six points and seven rebounds in 21 minutes.
After showing good form last Saturday in Dallas, Zydrunas Ilgauskas continued his solid play by scoring 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting, with seven rebounds and three blocks. He was especially effective in hitting his midrange jumper off the weak side, a look the Cavs haven't shown much in the past. Usually, they have gotten Ilgauskas looks with direct pick-and-rolls.
Anderson Varejao returned after missing two games with a wrist injury to have his best game of the preseason. Finding seams when the Mavericks loaded up on O'Neal and James, Varejao scored 12 points and pulled down nine rebounds. Three different times he scored and was fouled.
The Mavericks, who used just nine players, were led by Kris Humphries' 20 points.
"We're taking baby steps," Brown said. "But we're getting there."
I played against Carroll in 7th/8th grade and summer league ball. Dude was disgusting. Could dunk in 8th grade. I checked him one game held him scoreless for a quarter. Next quarter? Lit me up for 28For the foolish person worried about LeBron losing his vertical, ask Matt Carroll if he still has it. Two filthy chasedown blocks on Carroll where it looked like he was just waiting for him to put the ball up. Solid all around game by James.
I played against Carroll in 7th/8th grade and summer league ball. Dude was disgusting. Could dunk in 8th grade. I checked him one game held him scoreless for a quarter. Next quarter? Lit me up for 28
HEAD COACH MIKE BROWN
(On the third quarter):
“Our guys were really focused in that third quarter. At one point, we had 10 straight possessions where they only scored two points. It doesn’t matter who you play on this level, if you do things like that, you’re headed in the right direction.”
(On his rotation tonight being close to a regular season rotation):
“It was close. I was hoping to get it close (to the regular season), but with the score being what it was, it didn’t make sense to play those guys into the fourth quarter. I was hoping to play all the guys a bit longer. It just didn’t work out that way.”
(On the team’s 29 assists):
“We did (execute offensively) at times and it will be fun to go back and watch the tape to see some of the good things we did. To have 29 assists and with Mo having 11, it was a good night.”
LEBRON JAMES
(On what Shaq brings to the team):
“He brings a presence to our team that we haven’t had before: an interior presence, a guy that can attract double teams and also score on the low post.”
(On not playing Dallas’ usual starting lineup):
“It doesn’t matter. We’re ready for Tuesday. We’ve got one more preseason game against the same team that we open up against on Tuesday. We’ll be ready.”
SHAQUILLE O’NEAL
(On being the missing piece for the Cavaliers):
“We realize that expectations are very high; that’s what you play for. Hopefully, I am that missing piece to get this franchise, get this city over the hump.”
(On his health and how he’s feeling with the season approaching):
“I had a long summer off, so I think my legs are well rested. Whatever they want me to do, I’ll be fine. The good thing about this year is that I got a good guy (Zydrunas Ilgauskas) backing me up, a guy that started for 10 years now.”