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Game 71 | Cavs vs. Nets | March 25th, 2009 | 7:00pm (EST)

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Re: Game 71|Cavs vs. Nets| March 25th, 2009 | 7:00pm (EST)

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LeBron James has been instrumental in making the Cleveland Cavaliers a force in the NBA. Now, he has the team on the brink of setting a franchise record for wins.

James will try to help the league-leading Cavaliers reach that milestone Wednesday night as they attempt to win 10 in a row by sweeping a home-and-home series from the visiting New Jersey Nets.

When Cleveland (57-13) selected James first overall in 2003, he joined a team that hadn't made the playoffs for five consecutive seasons and last won an opening-round series in 1993. It would take James three seasons to get the Cavaliers back to the postseason before leading them to an NBA finals appearance in 2006-07.

Now, the five-time All-Star has Cleveland at the top of the NBA and in position to set a team record for wins after scoring 30 points, grabbing 11 rebounds and dishing out eight assists in a 96-88 win at New Jersey (30-40) on Sunday.

The Cavs, who have 12 games to play in the regular season, went 57-25 in 1988-89 and 1991-92.

"It's not the main goal, but any time you get an opportunity to write your name or write your team into the record books, you should be proud," James said.

"I think the franchise, the team, the coaches, everybody, everybody that's associated with the Cavaliers - people that work the concession stands - everybody, we should all be proud about this," James said. "Because it's not promised every year where you get a chance to set records, franchise records, or winning divisions, things like that. Great achievement by us."

James, who's a candidate for his first NBA MVP award, is second in the league with 28.6 points per game. He's been outstanding during the nine-game winning streak, producing four triple-doubles while averaging 30.1 points, 9.6 boards and 9.6 assists.

The Cavaliers are also getting contributions from center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who scored 18 points, pulled down six rebounds and blocked four shots Sunday. He passed John "Hot Rod" Williams as the club's all-time leader with 1,202 blocks after becoming the top rebounder earlier this season.

"These things are always nice, but especially when the team is doing well," said Ilgauskas, who was drafted 20th overall in 1996. "If you're on a bad team, you can't enjoy it as much, and this so far has been a special season. A lot of records have fallen."

The Cavs will try to sweep a season series from the Nets, who never led Sunday, for the first time since taking all three meetings in 2000-01.

While Cleveland is an NBA-best 32-1 at home and trying to secure home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, New Jersey is hoping to just qualify.

The Nets, who have 12 games left, are 11th in the crowded East standings, competing with Charlotte, Milwaukee, Indiana and New York in the chase to catch eighth-place Chicago for the final playoff position.

New Jersey is expected to be without Devin Harris for a fifth consecutive game. The All-Star guard, who leads the Nets with 22.6 points per contest, is sidelined indefinitely with a shoulder injury.

With Harris likely out, the Nets will turn to Keyon Dooling again. He is averaging 15.8 points on 61.0 percent shooting (25-for-41) in starting the last four games in place of Harris.

Dooling made 7 of 9 shots and scored 19 while adding five rebounds and four assists Sunday.
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Re: Game 71|Cavs vs. Nets| March 25th, 2009 | 7:00pm (EST)

We win again? Yes!!
 
Re: Game 71|Cavs vs. Nets| March 25th, 2009 | 7:00pm (EST)

NY Daily News confirms that Harris is definitely out as expected:

HARRIS ON HOLD: Devin Harris participated in shooting drills Tuesday, but sat out the rest of practice and says he won't dress for tonight's game. He plans to participate in contact drills during tomorrow's practice and be a game-time decision for Friday.
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SOURCE
 
Re: Game 71|Cavs vs. Nets| March 25th, 2009 | 7:00pm (EST)

I see a 14 game winning streak in our near future. :cool:
 
Re: Game 71|Cavs vs. Nets| March 25th, 2009 | 7:00pm (EST)

I wonder what the crowd reaction will be if we are running the clock down and have 99 points. Will they boo because they don't get their nasty Chalupas or cheer because we broke the franchise record for wins?
 
Re: Game 71|Cavs vs. Nets| March 25th, 2009 | 7:00pm (EST)

What's a Tibula?
 
Re: Game 71|Cavs vs. Nets| March 25th, 2009 | 7:00pm (EST)

I could see this one getting up to a 30 point lead at some point.
 
Re: Game 71|Cavs vs. Nets| March 25th, 2009 | 7:00pm (EST)

blank964 said:
I wonder what the crowd reaction will be if we are running the clock down and have 99 points. Will they boo because they don't get their nasty Chalupas or cheer because we broke the franchise record for wins?
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100+ point equals a half price bar tab at "The Back Stage" at 237 and Lorain... If I racked up a huge tab there you better believe I'd be routing for the 100 mark. The Cavs will never pad the score like that, but keep it in mind next time they play a less defensive minded team.
 
Re: Game 71|Cavs vs. Nets| March 25th, 2009 | 7:00pm (EST)

blank964 said:
I wonder what the crowd reaction will be if we are running the clock down and have 99 points. Will they boo because they don't get their nasty Chalupas or cheer because we broke the franchise record for wins?
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I will be there and I will be cheering my ass off... :thumbup:
 
Re: Game 71|Cavs vs. Nets| March 25th, 2009 | 7:00pm (EST)

This is a win for sure. Staying ahead of LA is one thing but breaking the season win record in front of the home crowd should motivate these guys.
 
Re: Game 71|Cavs vs. Nets| March 25th, 2009 | 7:00pm (EST)

We'll have 60 wins by Sunday :thumbup:
 
Re: Game 71|Cavs vs. Nets| March 25th, 2009 | 7:00pm (EST)

CAVS Win! LeBron another triple-double?:)
 
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