Game Preview – Friday March 12, 2010 – Cleveland Cavaliers @ Philadelphia 76ers
Well, the Cavaliers are again back to their winning ways after the slip up in Milwaukee & have finally won again without LeBron James in the lineup. The last time the latter happened was March 13, 2007, a 124-100 win in the Q vs. Sacramento, a game which saw Sasha Pavlovic go for 25 points. Back to the Cavaliers’ winning ways, they have now won 7 of their past 8 games after their 3 game losing streak & now stand at an NBA best 50-15, 2 games off of last season’s mark. It wasn’t all good news, however, as Antawn Jamison left the game early in the 3rd quarter & did not return. He will more than likely be out for this game, but should be good to go for Sunday’s game at the Q vs. Boston.
The Cavaliers became the 1st NBA team to reach the 50 win plateau with a hard fought 97-95 victory over the Spurs in the Q. With no LeBron, the Clevelanders had 6 players reach double digits in scoring, paced by Mo Williams & Antawn Jamison’s 17 apiece, with Jamison shooting 3-4 from downtown and Mo adding 8 rebounds & 8 assists. Delonte West provided a big lift off the bench with 16 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals & gritty hard nosed defense, including a huge steal with :53 left. Andy Varejao also provided a lift off the bench with 11 points & 9 rebounds, and 2 key free throws that put the game away with :02 left. Jawad Williams & J.J Hickson combined for 25 points & 12 rebounds (7 for J.J), as the Cavs starting front court combined for 42 points in LeBron’s absence.
The Sixers are coming off their 3rd straight home loss, 102-87, at the hands of Charlotte. Rodney Carney came off the bench & paced 6 Sixers in double figures with 14 on just 6-16 shooting, to go along with 5 rebounds, while Thaddeus Young, also off the bench, pitched in 12 points, 5 boards, and 3 blocks. Andre Iguodala & Jrue Holiday added 13 apiece, but combined to shoot 11-25, with Holiday adding 4 rebounds, 8 assists & 3 steals. Elton Brand added 10 points & 9 rebounds on 5-8 shooting, while Lou Williams went just 2-7 for 10 points & 5 turnovers in the Sixers loss.