GAME 11 | Cavs vs Nets | Nov. 18, 2008 | 7:30 PM

[djlofi]

Must be noted that New Jersey just swept a home and away series with the Hawks. Fair effort. Devin Harris has had 3 consecutive 30+ games. Lets just say he would be player of the week if it wasn't for some LeBron dude.

The Nets have active bigs, and scoring guards.

I believe we can pull this out, but this does look like a troublesome matchup.

Thanks for all the love gang. Karma, this is an awesome point that really strengthens the whole idea that the Cavs need to buckle down and focus tonight and not simply expect to win.

It's hard really to get a read on the Nets, considering they are in the middle of a LeBron or bust campaign. They give up a lot of points (24th in the L at 101.1 ppg) and are a middle of the pack scoring team (17th at 97.3 ppg). They've lost to teams that are struggling (Miami) and to teams that are contenders (Phoenix?), but they've beaten strong teams like Detroit and Atlanta (who they beat twice over the weekend, on back-to-back nights no less).

Make no mistake though. This year's Cavs steam-roll this year's Nets, but there are some elements (Devin Harris, Jay-Z and a big rivalry game with Detroit tomorrow) that could make tonight frustrating.

 

[Green Lantern]

The Nets are always a tough matchup for the Cavs..they're extremely active which poses a problem.
This is the night MB should go deep into his bench..and help save minutes..especially if the Cavs somehow really extend any leads they get.

 

[Coyote]

The Nets of Jason Kidd/Richie Jeff were a thorn in our side. I'm not sure you can say the same about a team we've never played. But the preview and most people's comments I agree with: Devin Harris is going to be trouble, but their frontcourt needs to be exploited in a filthy, filthy way. Stop VC, contain Harris, and otherwise play our game.

My biggest worry is that we overlook this game b/c of Detroit tomorrow night. That's just asking to lose a close one.

 

[Rick Astley]

No more RJ so no more SF prancing into the lane and getting foul calls other than LeHustle.

 

[Lee]

No more RJ so no more SF prancing into the lane and getting foul calls other than LeHustle.

Did you just say Prancing when refereing to RJ? Classic. :chuckles:

 

[Rick Astley]

It's going to be our little secret, brah.

 

[Soda]

Tonight's praise for LBJ will bring a home game feeling for the Cavs. It might even throw the Nets off a bit, so that could be in our favor.

I hope our bigs didn't shower since the last game and just make the bigs on NJ miserable all night. It would be like a body odor world tour.

 

[Douglar]

Well, I think everyone sort of expects Delonte to have problems against Carter and Mo will struggle to guard Harris. Maybe they will, but those strggles are nothing compared to the problems Gibson will have if he's on the floor. I could see the Cavs "resting Gibson's back" to get a larger defender on the floor.

 

[PIP]

Michael SUGAR RAY Richardson

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[SanduskyCav]

Wow do I miss Sasha after seeing that video. What I don't understand is, why do we keep playing Wally as the backup SG, he looks lost on offense and cannot defend at all. If we were to give Sasha those minutes at least we have a good defender. Maybe he just needs to get some more live minutes and he'll get his game back. He didn't play a full season last year and now this year he isn't getting time either with his 7 minutes average a game and only 10 total minutes in the last 3 games.

Personally, I would like to see Sasha substituted into that SG backup role instead of Wally for a while because if it turns out he can get back to form we can trade Wally's expiring for a scoring big instead of a SG when we may have a solid one in Sasha sitting on the bench. I don't think that you can go from being as solid as Sasha was to just being terrible.

 

[Redz West is Best]

Make VC a long jump shooter. Switch up defense with Lebron playing VC at some times and Bobby Simmons others. I rather have Simmons beat us than VC down on the low post.

Sasha doesn't have to play if Delonte is having issues guarding the bigger guards. It just means Lebron will have to guard VC some. Wally can guard Bobby Simmons for periods. I'd play Sasha if Delonte isn't at least hitting his open jumpers like he has done for the most part all year. Delonte's hot streak has negated some of issues.

If all else fails play Sasha

 

[SteelSmack]

No more RJ so no more SF prancing into the lane and getting foul calls other than LeHustle.

Not only does he "prance" but he prances taking 3 steps. Does anyone else notice this about RJ? Nearly every drive to the hoop can be replayed and show a clear 3 steps after picking up his dribble. I've never seen a borderline-all-star type player get away with more than RJ.

 

[KU_216]

Great preview. It'll be a tough game, no doubt. Harris and Carter are going to wreak havoc on our backcourt, but our frontcourt should wreak havoc on theirs.

 

[mixman]

I think we need to slow down Harris and take a chance by letting carter do his own thing. Don't let the rest of them beat you as they say. If we shut down one or the other I think we'll win.

 

[johnny]

I pumped to see some Sasha action tonight!