Game 39 | Cavaliers @ Lakers Jan. 19th, 10:30PM (ET)

[Chardon]

We need Sasha, wally and too step up big again. We need Gibson to score more then 10pts. We need LeBron to play lights out.
Cavs-102
Lakers- 99

 

[QuadrupleDouble]

I was worried about last game, but the team surprised the heck out of me by playing their hearts out and defending CP like I've never seen before. He never looked comfortable once in that game.

I'm even more concerned about this game. We're playing the Lakers in LA, not Cleveland. LA is also a step above New Orleans in terms of overall team strength. We are still Missing Big Z to go against Bynum and Gasol and I don't know how healthy Ben is.

If Lebron can shut down Kobe and Ben is healthy enough to bring 30 minutes of steady defense, we might be able to pull this one off. Although I'm never surprised by some Cavalier heroics, I just think the injuries might be too much to overcome the particualr matchup.

Sasha might need to see some time on Kobe too. That's the role I had envisioned for him earlier in the season.

 

[camakazee]

If the Anderson Varejao from the last three games shows up, that's the ball game. We really need him to play well, at least rebounding well and not settling for that fadeaway jumper.

 

[liquidfire]

I wouldnt mind seeing AV on gasol and big ben on bynum. av is bigger and longer to contest his shots.

 

[Warren G.]

I made this yesterday

Awesome work, Typhoon. I hadn't checked out the 'Bron v. Kobe discussion where you asked for your graphic to be used in the game thread until I saw you post it here, so sorry about that. I've got the other Lakers game on February 8th; let me know if you want to alter this image or do something else and I'll be more than happy to use it.

 

[Gimme Some Mo]

Everyone better get on the boards this game because we have a HUGE size disadvantage.

Bynum vs Varejao
Gasol vs Wallace

Then off the bench.... Wally? vs Odom, and Ariza? vs Boobie?

Sasha should get a lot of minutes. I don't see how Boobie and Mo could be out there together in this game unless Fisher and Vujabitch were out there together.

 

[King J]

Everyone better get on the boards this game because we have a HUGE size disadvantage.

Bynum vs Varejao
Gasol vs Wallace

Then off the bench.... Wally? vs Odom, and Ariza? vs Boobie?

Sasha should get a lot of minutes. I don't see how Boobie and Mo could be out there together in this game unless Fisher and Vujabitch were out there together.

:chuckles:

 

[Zog]

Does everyone really think LeBron is going to guard Kobe the whole game? There are two cons to doing that, other than possible foul trouble. First, LeBron will get more worn out having to expend energy guarding Kobe all game long, and second, it gives LeBron less rebounding opportunities, which may not seem like it is that important, but if LeBron is contesting Kobe's 20+ shots (and therefore not going to the hoop to rebound), we are going to be relying on Andy and Ben to block out Bynum and Gasol all game, which will be tough when Sasha, who I've never thought was a very good rebounder, is the one who should be helping them out the most. Having Sasha on Kobe gives LeBron the ability to help out on the boards a lot more.

 

[-Akronite-]

Vlad vs Sasha could be fun to watch, as well as KOBE vs The King.

LeBron will most probably torch all over the Lakers. If they don't have Kobe on him from the start, then the game could be over. Otherwise, they have an outside chance.

Actually, this will be close, and I think we can do it. We have better defense, and if our shooters step up, Andy does well, and LeBron does his thing, we have this.

 

[Mr. Glass]

Our Sasha > Their Sasha

 

[Damien O'Connel]

pau is gonna throw a punch at andy and get ejected, then bynum is getting a faceful of JJ's nuts

 

[Radar]

i for some reason believe we can win this as like every other game...a good game from everyone is a +...we do bad against good teams on the road and this would be scary...lebron to explode for ?

maintaining gasol and bynum would be pretty hard...it would be good if we can find a way to take them out of their game

 

[JJ Smooth]

We had an excellent defensive strategy to shut down the Hornets three big time players (I'm not counting David West due to most of his points coming from free throws); so you can bet your bippy we have something in place for Kobe, Gasol, and Bynum.

We also know this is the start of our road trip, a slip up here (even though it's against an elite team) could have rough consequences on the other three games. I expect the Cavs to come out swinging and give 110% from all players. I'm also looking at Wally and Sasha to step up big again too (please?).

Let's show the purple and yellow that the real "Lakeshow" comes from Erie with a certain #23.

 

[Thunder]

Our defense is much better than the Lakers. But with us getting out-rebounded recently, it could only get worse against the likes of Gasol and Bynum. Bynum can be very inconsistent and tends to get in foul trouble, so we need the Varejao from two weeks ago back, the one that went nuts on the Bulls and was agressive as hell. He can help us put Bynum on the bench and win the rebounds. I want Ben and Andy to heckle the shit out of those two. We can't give open looks to guys like Rad and Vujacic outside. Just like our shooters, they will shoot well at home. Hopefully Sasha's jumpshot is on like it was Friday night and Gibson/Wally are hot too. If our 3 pt shooters are on, it's going to open the lane for LeBron. Mo has to be agressive too as we need him more than ever.

So, in conclusion: If the Cavs play agressive and make their shots, and play defense like we always do, we can pull it out. That 11-7 road record doesn't look so good. Let's change that.

 

[3 Da Hard Way]

Bynum has a total of 5 rebounds in the past two games. Put a body on this dude, He's sawfftttt