Sunday, November 4th, 2007
8:00pmET
Phoenix, Arizona
TV: FSO HD, NBATV HD
Radio : WTAM 1100
HEAD COACHES
MIKE BROWN | MIKE D'ANTONI
POINT GUARDS
DANIEL GIBSON | STEVE NASH
SHOOTING GUARDS
LARRY HUGHES | RAJA BELL
SMALL FORWARDS
LEBRON JAMES | GRANT HILL
POWER FORWARDS
DREW GOODEN | SHAWN MARION
CENTERS
ZYDRUNAS ILGAUSKAS | AMARE STOUDEMIRE
CAVALIERS ROTATION
DAMON | D.BROWN | DWAYNE | PAVLOVIC
SUNS ROTATION
BARBOSA | BANKS | DIAW | SKINNER
CAVALIER NOTES
* The Cavalier's got an all important win over the Knicks after being humiliated at home against Dallas.
* This is the first game of a tough 6 game Western road trip that also features Golden State, Utah and Denver.
* Pavlovic should have his visa issues sorted out, and should be in uniform for the first time this season.
* With Sasha back, Coach Brown will likely utilise a 10 man rotation with Devin, Dwayne, Damon and Donyell joining Sasha from the bench.
* The Cavs were humbled in both games last season by the Suns, mistakenly trying to match them blow for blow in ugly attempts to play uptempo.
PHOENIX NOTES
* The Suns have started slowly with an unconvincing win over Seattle and a thumping at home at the hands of the mediocre Lakers.
* Steve Nash and Shaun Marion are flowing as usual, but the support cast look flat.
* Phoenix fans were very vocal with their boos during the Lakers game, so look for a turnaround similar to the Cavs after their Mavs effort.
* The Suns hit the road after the Cavs game, so a win will be vital if they want any momentum before they tough it out away from Phoenix.
TIPOFF
With the Suns coming off a loss against the Lakers, this game could go 2 ways. They could come out very pissed and take it to the Cavs and roll right over the top. Or the confidense levels could be dented and the Cavs may face a team that is shadow of its former self. If I was a betting man, I'd go with the former.
Daniel Gibson and Larry Hughes will be tested all night on the pick, and Nash will try and expose Ilgauskas. The ever active Marion will surely have Gooden guessing on the rotations after Nash goes to work on the high pick'n'rolls. A big key for the Cavs will be to keep the Suns bigs from getting numerous shots in the key. Stoudamire can be tempted into shooting J's which plays into the Cavs hands.
As for the Cavs, they really need to be disciplined and not get caught up in a track meet, in which the Suns would school us. LeBron needs to have the same attitude at against the Knicks and attack from the outset. His support cast needs to roll with him. Hope again will be with Boobie from the perimeter, but we will also need Ilgauskas and Gooden to give us some post points against a lineup that doesn't defend to well inside. As for the bench, well they need to step up some, and Sasha could be a spark eventually, maybe not first night in.
GAME FINAL
This one should be entertaining and I'm tipping LeBron to continue his form from the Knicks game. The Cavaliers will be in this most of the way, but I can see us being worn down, particulary without that active big man crucial to defend the Suns (Varejao). Suns by around 10.
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