Game #1 : Cavs @ Detroit

[Glen Infante]

vs

Cleveland Cavaliers (0) @Detroit Pistons (0)

Sunday, May 7, 2006
Time: 3:30pm
TV: UPN 43
Radio: WTAM 1100
Location: Palace of Auburn Hills

Head Coaches

Mike Brown / Flip Saunders

Probable Staters

Eric Snow / Chauncey Billups

Larry Hughes / Richard Hamilton

LeBron James / Tayshaun Prince

Drew Gooden / Rasheed Wallace

Zydrunas Ilgauskas / Ben Wallace

Cleveland Cavaliers Bench

Damon Jones/Flip Murray/Sasha Pavlovic/Donyell Marshall/Anderson Varejao
Detroit Pistons

Lindsey Hunter/Maurice Evans/Carlos Delfino/Antonio McDyess/Dale Davis​

2005-06 SERIES: Pistons: 3-1

Keys to the Game:

Try to get the big men involved:​

<img src="http://www.nba.com/media/cavaliers/det_051231_24.jpg" align="right">

Zydrunas VS Ben

Zydrunas has a tough assignment offensively against Ben Wallace. While both Wallace's play terrific help defense, they are also good one on one defenders. But with Ben's strength and poise, I look to see alot of one on one post plays involving Zydrunas with no double teaming.

Zydrunas has been in a huge slump on both ends of the floor since the post season has began, and this is a big chance for him to finally break out of it. Detroit plays a much slower pace then the Wizards do, and establishing a good half court game would greatan our chances to keep the game close.







<img src="http://www.nba.com/media/cavaliers/detcle_060227_009.jpg" align="right">

Drew VS Rasheed

Drew Gooden has played well vs the Pistons in the past. It will be interesting to see how he will perform against Rasheed Wallace. Rasheed likes to mope around the perimeter, it's going ot be hard for Drew to read his game. I belive we will see alot of Anderson yet again in this series.

But it would be great if we could get some offensive production out of Drew. He has the capability to score in huge amounts if he feels he is superior to his opponent. Hopefully Rasheed doesn't get on his nerves too much, or it could easily put Drew on the bench for this entire series.

Guard Play​

<img src="http://www.nba.com/media/cavaliers/det_051231_15.jpg" align="right">

Practice Eric Practice!
Eric Snow will probably get the same treatment from Detroit that he gets against every other team in the league. Which means he would probably be ignored. I hope Eric is practicing his jump shot, because we are going to need it.

In order for us to be successful it is manditory that Larry Hughes plays an important role in the offense. His driving ability is not to be unused here. Detroit will contest every shot, so we could have an advantage to where we can draw numorous of fouls and get to the line as many times as we want.

The case same goes with Flip Murray.

Bench Production​

<img src="http://www.nba.com/media/cavaliers/det_051231_14.jpg" align="right">
Make us Proud
Our rotation is rather small, but in my eyes we are just as deep as Detroit. AV/Donyell/Flip/Damon all have the skills and the tools to be one of the best benches in the league. Hopefully all of them play at least mediocre. Any production out of these guys is a major plus.

The King at the Palace​

<img src="http://www.nba.com/media/cavaliers/det_051231_22.jpg" align="right">

Making Another Witness
Do I really need to get into detail about this guy? He has already done everything that he possibly can to win ball games for us. All I pray for is that Series 1 vs the Wizards isn't a fluke. Tashawn is a good defender, but really no one can stop him unless he is triple teamed. One thing LeBron has to do is stop settling for long range jump shots. If he must take a jumper, I would prefer it to be 20 feet in. His spin moves around the corner of the boxes are unstoppable. They will probably play the normal ISO plays with LeBron and let him do his thing. It has worked all season, might as well go with it here.

ALL IN ALL.​

The Piston's arent the same defensive team as they were in previous years. Flip Saunder's is running a system that is based more on offense and the Pistons have fell in love with it. In order to win this game, we must stay close the entire 48 minutes. If we slip down to double digets, it would be the point of no return. Detroit has the ability to step up their defense on any given play. They could play lazy D all game, shoot lights out, and if they need an important stop, they will turn up the heat and get it.

I'm not the one to make predictions, but of course we all know who we are rootin for here. I'll let you guys decide.

 

[cavincali]

Re: Game 1 : Cavs @ Detroit

Good stuff partna, but I have to disagree with one thing and that is saying Ben Wallace is a good man defender. Z has and will light Ben up, there is no way he can stop Z.

One thing about the Pistons that makes me feel a little better is, as you pointed out, there defense. They dont play that same style of big time defense, they like the offense more.

If the Cavs are to compete with the Pistons Larry Hughes is going to have to make those mid range jump shots.

 

[Smooth]

Re: Game 1 : Cavs @ Detroit

Let's hope we can go in there and hopefully split them. Because we all know it would be very hard to come back from a 2-0 deficit agaisnt arguably the best team in the NBA.

I am really hoping that Z can break out of his slump he is in right now. I think he will raise his game, because of the incident involving Sheed.

This will also be interesting to see how our team will look now that we are at full strength with Flip, and Hughes. I don't think we ever had both of them together while playing the Pistons, so this should help a lot.

GO CAVS!!!

 

[KingJames1390]

Cavs and Detriot

In game one we the Cavs have to play VERY good D. They won the most games this year and THEY have the best D right next to the Spurs. I think we should play Damon Jones alittle more just because of his deep ball and good D. WE have to get Dertiot into foul trouble early. We also have to get Flip to shoot his deep ball more accurate and HE needs to play better D because Detriot CAN shoot the ball. Z has to step up and play like he did in the regular season and if he dosent I dont think we can win the series and James cant do everything on the court to win the game. Last thing.....Drew O Drew has to stop making dumb mistakes like droping a pass from James and in game four Drew consts us the game on a 5point swing for Washington, when he misses the dunk and then HE drops the rebound with no one around him. So good luck Cavs tomarrow..

 

[highplainsdrifter]

Re: Cavs and Detriot

Welcome KingJames1390.

This series is gonna be great. Id say post this in the game thread for the game tomorrow.

Go Cavs!

 

[LE Owned]

Re: Cavs and Detriot

I wouldnt mind starting Andy instead of Z. Maybe that could send a message to Z to step it up or its your ass.

 

[bob2the2nd]

Re: Cavs and Detriot

I wouldnt mind starting Andy instead of Z. Maybe that could send a message to Z to step it up or its your ass.

or lets got with... NO. if anyone needs to be taken out of the starting lineup its gooden, espically after last night. However you also dont change your starting lineup in the playoffs after you have played with it all season.

 

[CleveRocks]

Re: Cavs and Detriot

That all-L.A. second-round series that looked so probable a few days ago vanished in a blur of Suns' fast breaks and repeated drives to the basket.

from ESPN story on the Phoenix series. As I have said in other threads, I think this year the refs are favoring the up tempo offensive squads.

I think LE's idea of starting AV is a good one to try first night in detroit. Start AV and gooden along with hughes, Flip and Lebron and RUN. THEN bring Z, Snow and Marshall in after Sheed is breathing hard and let Z go to work.

I also think that when Sheed begins to push the limits, Z needs to respond with a strong elbow to the chin. Even if he gets tossed, it sends a message to both Sheed (dont f with me), and to the Zebras (If your not gonna put a stop to thuggery, I will).

 

[RuanuLaw]

Re: Cavs and Detriot

from ESPN story on the Phoenix series. As I have said in other threads, I think this year the refs are favoring the up tempo offensive squads.

I think LE's idea of starting AV is a good one to try first night in detroit. Start AV and gooden along with hughes, Flip and Lebron and RUN. THEN bring Z, Snow and Marshall in after Sheed is breathing hard and let Z go to work.

I also think that when Sheed begins to push the limits, Z needs to respond with a strong elbow to the chin. Even if he gets tossed, it sends a message to both Sheed (dont f with me), and to the Zebras (If your not gonna put a stop to thuggery, I will).

I like it. Ya, Z is a chump right now. Bench him and let him try to earn his stripes back...from the bench cause now he is doing nothing for us...except take free money for doing nothing.

 

[Nicky]

Re: Cavs and Detriot

I wouldnt mind starting Andy instead of Z. Maybe that could send a message to Z to step it up or its your ass.

I wouldn't "Rock the boat" with that change up, at least not against the Pistons.

To make changes in the line-up now, especially taking Z out, would not be a good move....Z needs to step up, and if he were to be benched as a starter, would probably not be in the teams, or his best interest.

 

[Coyote]

Re: Game 1 : Cavs @ Detroit

No to benching Z. You do that and you show the Pistons you're uncomfortable and worried about his play. (You could argue the Pist-ons might think we're doing whatever it takes to win, but they're smarter than that. They know what it means to go with the same squad, team unity, etc.) Besides, I think Z will show up this series. He traditionally plays better against Detroit. And they have to keep going to him early and for God's sake get him lower in the post early.

Here's my thing. All season the Cavs stepped up against the better competition. Usually it took a whuppin' (San Antonio, Dallas, Miami in the 2nd game) to get us there. Will it be the same this series? We never really responded to the Pistons, though we didn't have the tools to do so. Yeah, we took that first game, but blew chunks in that back-to-back. I don't count game 4 much, even with the AV retaliation on Hashish Wallace.

Now we have Murray and a semi-healthy Hughes and a team that's been through a series. Lebron ready to wreck shop. Will it make a difference? Are they going to know to step it up from the go, or will we cave in to the pressure and come back strong in Game 2? I hope it's the former. GO CAVS AND KICK SOME DETROIT #SS.

 

[Glen Infante]

Re: Cavs and Detriot

I wouldnt mind starting Andy instead of Z. Maybe that could send a message to Z to step it up or its your ass.

I don't think that would be a good idea. Anderson's role is to be energy off the bench. You think Zydrunas is the type of player to bring energy? Not sure if that would work.

Also, if Anderson started against the Pistons, he would be in foul trouble before the 1st half is over.

You don't tweak the lineup in the playoffs. Z just had a bad series. I expect him to break out of his slump vs Detroit.

Let's just let him play it out and cheer him on. Z is really not as terrible as it seems.

Bench him and let him try to earn his stripes back...from the bench cause now he is doing nothing for us...except take free money for doing nothing.

Z earned his stripes 7 years ago, and I don't think one bad series has taken them away.

 

[The Oi]

Re: Game 1 : Cavs @ Detroit

Couple questions that I really don't remember the answers too.

1. FASTBREAKS
Can the Pistons run well? If so, were we successful running on them?

If we can run on the Pistons it might be our best chance. If they are as good as they should be with their quick guards and good shooters...maybe not so much.

2. TAKING IT TO THE HOLE
That last game we played em the Pistons werent letting ANYONE in the paint. It was awful to watch us rely on mid-range jumpers... Have the Pistons been playing ridiculous paint d in the p'offs so far?

If so...Larry, LeBron's and Flip's midrange games will be the difference maker on teh offensive side for the Cavs.

3. Z v. BEN
Does Z usually play well offensively on Ben Wallace?

 

[Cleveland56]

Re: Game 1 : Cavs @ Detroit

Are we really having a start Andy over Z conversation?

Z is a good matchup with the Pistons. Z will come to play today.

 

[natedagg]

Re: Game 1 : Cavs @ Detroit

random thoughts:
-Z didn't choke last series. He plays hard and cares, but couldn't get into a rhythm. I strongly believe he is injured. His FT's haven't been as good, and that outside shot isn't falling. But he could still use a redbull.
-I want to see DG take on Big Ben like he did in his first ever playoffs.
-The refs want to blow the whistle on AV SO BAD. So ridiculous. It's a personal foul for him to enter the game, and half a foul every 3 minutes thereafter.
-Z needs to grab rebounds w/ 2 hands bc that tip stuff hasn't been as effective against the wallaces
-I love Eric Yayo Informer Snow, but we are going to realize that we can't be effective with him on the floor against detroit. I don't have a better solution (I like the flip/hughes/bron/big/big lineup most), but i don't think eric is going to cut it.
-Donyell blew up last series. Keep up the good work and keep mixing it up inside too. I remember thinking that donyell wasn't able to bang around w/ the wallaces as they kept offensive rebounding right over him. Perhaps he could see some time at the 3?

I know I have a lot of crazy ideas, but we are going to have to pull out all the stops to win this series. GO CAVS.