Heat @ Cavs

[West Remy]

Game 72


Miami Heat (47-23) @ Cleveland Cavaliers (42-29)

Saturday, April 1, 2006
Time: 11:00am PT, 2:00pm ET
TV: ESPN, WUAB
Radio: WTAM 1100
Location: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, Ohio

HEAD COACHES


PROBABLE STARTERS



MIAMI HEAT’S BENCH


CLEVELAND CAVALIERS’ BENCH


MIAMI HEAT’S NOTES

• The big 1-2 punch of Wade and Shaq will always be problematic for Cleveland. Both guys have the potential to have great games. Since Cleveland can't double both guys if they're playing at the same time, the Cavaliers will have to make a choice. Force Cleveland's hand early to see their decision.

• Get physical with Cleveland, throw several bodies at LeBron and dictate the terms of the match.

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS’ NOTES

• Damon Jones and Donyell Marshall have to spread the floor. The Heat’s defense is going to look past Eric Snow and if the shooters are cold, they’ll back off them too and leave LeBron trapped.

• Zydrunas will need to bring it against the Diesel. It would be great if Zydrunas duels with Shaq the same way he did against Yao Ming. The Heat might not be expecting a big game from Ilgauskas.

OVERVIEW

The Cavaliers should be up and hungry for this game. They’ll want to avenge the loss on March 12th, that saw LeBron James courageously fight the Heat single-handedly. Since the Heat are without Zo, the Cavs should fair better this time around in the paint. If Shaquille does not play, Cleveland must avoid a letdown and simply take care of business.

 

[Kypus]

Looks like we might catch a break with Shaq and Zo both out. They didn't really put a "status" on Shaq but as we know, knee trouble is never a good thing.
From ESPN game notes lastnight:

O'Neal missed the game because of a hyperextended left knee

O'Neal thought he hurt the knee when he was kicked in Miami's win over Indiana on Monday night. He was seen limping at Wednesday's shootaround. "He has a little irritation on his knee. I don't think it is anything more than that," Riley said. It was the first game both Mourning and O'Neal missed.

 

[PIP]

I can't stand the Heat... Probably the team I hate the most in the league..I hope we kill them..

I just hope the Cavs don't lose their focus after clinching a birth... I know there is more to play for, I just hope they play for it..

CAVS 103

OTHERS 96

 

[cdt]

I agree I hate the Heat, but not as much as the Nets or Bucks

 

[The George]

I hate the heat alot.....A game we should absolutly win if they dont have Shaq....plus Miami is terrible on the road against teams above .500 so we need to handle our bitness

 

[MarkPrice25]

I actually hope that they have Shaq. If they don't, watch us get no love for beating Dallas and Miami in the same week. The national media will make the excuses, "Dallas was on the second night of a back-to-back" and "Miami had no Shaq and no 'Zo." But, they rode us when Miami kicked our ass on the 4th game in 5 nights.

Anyways, with Shaq or without Shaq, the Cavaliers will find a way to win on Saturday. Expect a huge performance by LeBron as he makes his late season push for MVP.

Cavaliers 109 Miami 101

 

[Dungong]

After least season where the Heat felt they lost because of injuries, I don't think we see Shaq since this game is probably not worth that risk to the front office. They've got the 2 seed pretty much locked up at this point, so I see no reason to they would play him.

 

[ChicagoCavFan]

Isn't this game on Saturday?

 

[TheAdmin]

Isn't this game on Saturday?

- fixed

 

[aggressivestyle]

Cavs have to win this versus this kind of team. The heat are one team that are lucky for having a easy schedule. 31 of their wins came from the bottom half of the league, and 17 from the top half and you guessed it, they got a losing record vs the top half. The Heat are fake, and we gotta show the world they are fake.

 

[Karma]

Ooooohhh I cant watch this game. :runs:

Miami have tough guys like Mourning and Shaq and Haslem.

Sorry did I hear right?

Shaq and Mourning both out! mg:

Ok Drew you can come out now. :hide:

 

[RuanuLaw]

Cavs have to win this versus this kind of team. The heat are one team that are lucky for having a easy schedule. 31 of their wins came from the bottom half of the league, and 17 from the top half and you guessed it, they got a losing record vs the top half. The Heat are fake, and we gotta show the world they are fake.

We wount show them nothing.

New Jersey will in the playoffs.

But I think we will beat them today.

CAVS:101
HEAT:87

 

[highplainsdrifter]

Huge game! The Heat are the next team to get 'Revenged'!!! Kinda funny how we played MIA & Dal on the road in consecutive games, and we get a chance for payback in consecutive games at home.

Gotta hold onto the 4th spot, and id really likee to see the team get 50 wins. So for 50 we can only have 3 losses. only 4 home games left. No Mourning, ailing Shaq...Must Win!!!

LeBron vs Wade should be fun, but im feelin a 10+ victory for the Cavaliers!!!

 

[RuanuLaw]

I don't like this game...because I can't watch it from work. Damn it.

 

[highplainsdrifter]

No Shaq. No Posey. No Mourning. Heat.......prepare to DIE!!!!!!!!

Wade vs LeBron will be fun. Cavs will WIN!!!!!