Game 41 | Cleveland @ Utah | January 14, 2010 | 10:30 EST

[Zog]

20 pts 4 rebs 2 asts on 7-13 FG vs. Utah 11/14/09

Whose stat-line would that be?

J.J. Hickson

He also played 38 minutes that game. That was during his good stretch of games.

It's interesting that in those games, Shaq was out. It let JJ roam around inside because Z was outside the paint. JJ was able to get lots of "AV points," where LeBron or Mo would find him cutting and he'd get an easy layup/dunk and he also was able to get some garbage points on put-backs.

Last time we played Utah, they didn't have Williams, though they had Maynor who absolutely lit us up (24 points). We didn't have Shaq for that game, but I'm not sure how effective he will be against Utah. Hopefully we go to the big fella early and get Okur in foul trouble.

 

[wuck]

Kirilenko is starting tonight:

SALT LAKE CITY — Andrei Kirilenko will get the first crack at trying to slow down the LeBron James locomotive tonight when the Utah Jazz host the Cleveland Cavaliers.

C.J. Miles, who has been under the weather this week, participated in the shootaround this morning and is expecting to be available tonight but is officially a game-time decision. Regardless, Jazz coach Jerry Sloan is opting to begin the game with the Russian small forward, who's played well of late.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/...onight-Gaines-to-get-new-10-day-contract.html

 

[demondeacs13]

God could guard Lebron and it wouldn't make a difference.

 

[wuck]

Windhorst's pregame blog:

Beat Blog
By Brian Windhorst
January 14, 2010, 4:32PM

SALT LAKE CITY -- Pregame from Energy Solutions Arena:
Projected starting lineups
Cavs: Mo Williams, Anthony Parker, LeBron James, JJ Hickson, Shaquille O'Neal
Jazz: Deron Williams, Ronnie Brewer, Andrei Kirilenko, Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur
Officials
Derrick Stafford, Leon Wood, Sean Wright

• These two teams don't match up well with each other. Shaq and Okur are opposites, Kirilenko's size can bother LeBron a little but he's not strong enough to keep LBJ from getting inside, the thought of Hickson covering Boozer is frightful, and Deron Williams has smoked the Cavs regularly since he came into the league. Pile all of that together and what you get is a game that will probably have lots of swings of momentum. The Jazz played the Cavs very tough in November despite having a bunch of injuries and they are tough at home. Going to be a challenge.

• Mo Williams has been in a bit of a slump over the last few games. He had 16 points in the win in Portland but he was just 5-of-15 shooting. He's not shot the 3 well over the last four games and he seems not to be looking for his shot as much. This is what Mo does, he runs hot and cold. Two weeks ago he was red hot. He loves coming back to Utah, where he played as a rookie. Perhaps that will get him going. The Cavs need him to be churning heading into next week's game against the Lakers.

• After not playing great defense for a few games, Mike Brown thought the Cavs did a good job against the Warriors the other night. They gave up just 42 percent shooting and did a great job defending the rim. The Jazz are a team that will challenge the interior, especially Boozer and Paul Millsap, and the Cavs will have to be strong in that facet.

http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2010/01/cleveland_cavaliers_at_utah_ja.html

 

[GoGetta]

Please play CJ, we need you guys full strength

 

[Zog]

Please play CJ, we need you guys full strength

I'd be more worried if Boozer or Williams were out, or even Okur. Miles isn't really a key piece to the Jazz. That's just one less body they can throw at LeBron.

 

[TAS]

fuck west coast time.

 

[CardiacCavs]

Hopefully Mo breaks out of his funk today. He's played like shit this entire trip.

 

[cavaliers4ever]

I see we're listed as underdogs for this game. Everyone's gonna need to step up and make the most of their time on the floor if we want to win. It's definitely going to be a tough game.

 

[ParkCityRCF]

My wife and I are actually headed to the game in a few minutes. My tickets are in the corner 12 rows up from the floor right above the players tunnel. I'll be the maniac in the LBJ jersey who tries to pour his beer on Boozer's head as he goes into the locker room.

 

[InBoobieWeTrust]

According to Charles Barkley Z and Shaq are the same player :chuckles:

 

[AMC]

Bahahahahahahahahahahaahaha Charles just said on TNT that Z and Shaq were the same player!!!! hahaha

 

[Josh Criiiiibbs]

According to Charles Barkley Z and Shaq are the same player :chuckles:

and according to both Barkley and Kenny Smith we aren't any better than last year and will lose to the Celtics. Ok.

 

[DougHeil]

and according to both Barkley and Kenny Smith we aren't any better than last year and will lose to the Celtics. Ok.

I know Barkley sometimes says dumb stuff, but the statements coming out of him tonight are just outrageous. Barkley was asked two or three times if he really said the Cavs are not better this year and if Shaq made the Cavs better. He said NO on all counts. Shaq and Z are basically the same player? He must be thinking of two other players and is just confused. Amazing

 

[Walter White]

This game will be interesting. We match up TERRIBLE with them. Lets see how we do.