Game 31 | Cleveland @ Los Angeles | December 25, 2009 | 5:00 EST

[Rimage]

I mean, I can't think of anyone that had a bad game today:

Lebron - Facilitated the offense. Artest looked exhausted and Lebron setup everyone.
Mo - Played the scorer. Could not be checked even had the Kobe, Odom and Fisher trying to get him out of his game and out of the game
AV - Frustrated the hell out of Odom, got us extra possesion, played good help D and finished.
Parker - Played awesome D on Kobe.
Z - Played awesome D on Gasol
Moon - Played awesome D on Kobe and converted baskets.
West - Minimal but effective D, passing and scoring
Shaq - Did what we wanted him to do today. Be a presence on both ends in the paint. Scored on Bynum and neutralized Bynum
Hickson - eh...nonfactor really, but didn't hurt us. Ate minutes good enough.
Brown - Made really smart decisions with the defenders he was throwing at Kobe, use of the twin towers was really effective and just had solid matchups out there.

 

[camakazee]

I'm sorry if it was already posted here but can someone provide the stats for points in the paint?

I know last year when we played them in LA they dropped like 64 points on us in the paint and the result was similar when we played at home (mostly because of Odom).

Points in the paint was 46-38 tonight, in favor of the good guys.

Last year it was 42-28 advantage Lakers in LA and 62-24 Lakers in Cleveland. The Cavs weren't exactly crushing them like they did to Cleveland twice last year, but tonight was a nice change of pace.

 

[All Day Cavs]

Also Lebron had 7 turnovers, when was the last time we won when he had so many to's?

 

[Glenechocreek]

If this wasn't such a big game for the Lakers, then why all the cheap shots, why all the technicals, why all the bitching and crying? Don't tell ME this wasn't a big game for them.

Suck it, Laker fans. Like your hero Kobe, you have no class whatsoever.

Thanks, Cavs. This was the best Christmas present of all.

 

[camakazee]

Also Lebron had 7 turnovers, when was the last time we won when he had so many to's?

Earlier this season @ New York. LeBron had 33 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds, and 7 turnovers in a 100-91 Cavaliers victory. They had lost the three previous games that LeBron had at least 7 turnovers in (@Was, @Chi, and @Ind last season).

Believe it or not, after tonight the Cavaliers are actually 14-11 in games that LeBron turns the ball over seven or more times in. Ran out of Tanqueray shortly after Christmas dinner/the Cavs game and have a mean case of insomnia. I'm here all night people :chuckles:

 

[castigador]

Re: Was the LA game a fluke?

*First I want to apologize for posting this much today, I am still hyped about today's game*

One thing I have noticed from Lakers fans around the internet and even the ESPN commentators that weighed into tonight's game is that it was more of a statement game for the Cavaliers and it was an off night for the Lakers.

Of course that is the case, but to me that implies that if the Lakers played like they are known to, it would have been an entirely different game.

I mean the Cavaliers defense certainly got under their skin with the Ts and Kobe not doing so hot, but what do you think....

Our intensity tonight vs the Lakers at full speed?

To me, it just seemed like one team outplayed the other, the only message you can take out of it is that the Cavaliers are capable of competing with the best in the league. Whether or not the best in the league had an off night is irrelevant.

Andrew, no one really cares you post a million times in this forum, this is not the Suns' forums where you were intensely disliked.

 

[King J]

I liked how anytime a Laker would drive the lane Shaq woud put them on their ass....Bynum & Gasol were timid as fuck anytime they entered the paint,Kobe & Chlomar kept on crying like some bitches.:chuckles:

 

[MYoung23]

I'm sorry if it was already posted here but can someone provide the stats for points in the paint?

I know last year when we played them in LA they dropped like 64 points on us in the paint and the result was similar when we played at home (mostly because of Odom).

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=291225013

Cavaliers - 46
Lakers - 38

 

[Bison11]

DOMINATION.......that is all

 

[castigador]

That pip difference is killer, having Shaq being a wall down low lowers opponents easy buckets, and as you know jumpshots can only carry you so far!

 

[-Akronite-]

I mean, I can't think of anyone that had a bad game today:
Hickson - eh...nonfactor really, but didn't hurt us. Ate minutes good enough.
Brown - Made really smart decisions with the defenders he was throwing at Kobe, use of the twin towers was really effective and just had solid matchups out there.

I wouldn't agree. MB's placement of Hickson really shifted the momentum at the end of the first half, which drove me crazy. We really were embarrassing them until we let up there.

But, Brown did make adjustments in the second half and we won decidedly, so I can't complain as much as I was right the second quarter.

I didn't feel like Hickson had a place out there, and I'm not sure how that will affect us down the road. I still think it'd be better for Ferry to work on a deal that improves our talent at the 4. Today's game made me feel quite comfortable with our guard rotation (including Moon).

 

[InBoobieWeTrust]

I wouldn't agree. MB's placement of Hickson really shifted the momentum at the end of the first half, which drove me crazy. We really were embarrassing them until we let up there.

Looking at the end game stats though...Shaq had 5 fouls...Z had 4..Andy had four. MB was protecting those guys at the end of the first half by putting Hickson in, and it worked out in our favor...because the Lakers got four foul calls and an extra one or two on any of our bigs would have been devastating. Would have been nice for J.J. to play better there, but I can't blame MB for doing that...it helped our team win in the long run.

 

[Gunther]

My "Top 5 Whiney Faker Bitches List" after the Cavs' massacre of the Fakers (with apologies to David Letterman):

5. Lamar Odom – for his failure to take the Cavs’ frontline depth seriously. Good work, Lamar! Way to be a team player! What? You didn’t realize that basketball is a team sport and requires focus and attention to the game plan? That’s odd. You cashed all of your giant paychecks on time – I thought you attended all of the meetings. Maybe next time you’ll pay more attention to on-court business, and less time to the TMZ cameraman camping outside of your house.

4. Faker fans - first time I've ever seen the Faker fans actually give a crap, and they end up throwing Giant Foam Fingers onto the court. Fucking lame. At least in Cleveland we throw batteries packed in ice - putting fear into the opposition that lasts for subsequent generations. Better watch out next time, or the Faker fans might throw marshmallows, or down comforters, or the balled-up title page to their latest romance-comedy treatment starring Drew Barrymore and Ben Stiller.

3. Derrick Fisher – for attacking the most ferocious and menacing Cavalier - Mo Williams. Good job, Derrick! Way to show your toughness! Was the lead bully from the Los Angeles VEGAN Society unavailable? Way to cement your legend as a hard-nosed, no nonsense, no-excuses role player!

2. Phil Jackson – for his incessant complaints to the officials, his failure to substitute for Lamar Odom, followed by his post-game interview whining about the officiating. Zen-Master my ass. Without Michael and Kobe/Shaq you would have been at best Mike Fratello with a decent player pedigree. Grow a pair, dickhead, and remember your player days when championship teams didn’t make excuses and whine like little bitches.

1. Kobe Bryant for being a spoiled little brat. Way to look out for your teammates, dickhead! What great leadership ability you displayed! Hey, here’s a suggestion: next time quit whining to the officials every time you screw up, and try taking your opponent seriously. Could be your opponent actually has the talent, desire and determination to beat you through hard play and teamwork.

 

[Zog]

Looking at the end game stats though...Shaq had 5 fouls...Z had 4..Andy had four. MB was protecting those guys at the end of the first half by putting Hickson in, and it worked out in our favor...because the Lakers got four foul calls and an extra one or two on any of our bigs would have been devastating. Would have been nice for J.J. to play better there, but I can't blame MB for doing that...it helped our team win in the long run.

When the playoffs come around, MB won't even have to throw JJ out there, because even if we don't trade for another big, we still will have Powe to take those minutes.

 

[Glenechocreek]

Shaqaclaus sure did come to town. Of all the good things that happened today, his work in the paint was the best. The Lakers just flat gave up on driving the lane when he was in there.

No more complaining when he has a bad game, or is just cruising. We now know what to expect of him come playoff-time, and the whole city of Los Angeles is shitting in their pants just thinking about it.