Round 2, Game 4 | Cavs @ Hawks | May 11, 2009 | 7:00 PM (ET)

[djlofi]

The Starters

The Bench Bunch

Hawks Starters

Hawks Bench

​

KEYS TO THE GAME

BUSINESS AS USUAL: This series has been about demoralizing the Hawks. It doesn't make any sense to let the Hawks get one now. Wrap it up tonight and the Cavs get some time to prepare for the next step on their road for the championship. Simple as that.

THE CLOSER: In the LeBron and Mike Brown era, the Cavs have been in a position to closeout a series eight out of nine times, and have won six of those series. I was just surprised by that number. With Mike Brown and LeBron, this year's respective Coach of the Year and the MVP, it seems the Cavs always have a chance to win a series. That's all you can really ask for.

THE B, THE I, THE B, THE B, THE Y HE'S BIBBY: One of the better storylines this week was the what could have been if the Cavs ended up with Bibby. One caveat of that deal that at the time didn't look as appealing because it lacked the starpower of Bibby was the fact that Luis Scola would have been a Cavalier as well. Obviously if the Cavs trade for Bibby, there' no Mo, and it's hard to tell if the three team mega-trade that brought Ben Wallace, Delonte, Joe Smith and Wally to the Cavs would have happened. But say for a second that the Cavs somehow got Delonte, Ben and Wally in a big trade (Hughes for Wallace was a deal made in heaven and the Cavs always had eyes for Delonte), but maybe not Joe Smith because Gooden would have been used in the deal for Bibby. Bibby and Scola or Mo Williams and Joe Smith? It's an interesting debate. Obviously, we can't know what the Cavs would do, but I like Mo and Joe Smith because of what they bring to this team's chemistry.

JAMS OF THE GAME

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Say Goodnight

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Y'All cats know we always playtawin

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I'm the MVP, I'm stupid on this rap shit

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Get your ass punched out

 

[Chardon]

very good. BRING OUT THE BROOMS.


and very first time getting in first

 

[camakazee]

Looks good, only one problem with the MB fact. You have the record as 6-5, but it's 6-2 (which you have correct in the small print below).

 

[breanna]

SWEEP for the second time in a row. Fo' Fo'.

 

[Randolphkeys]

I'm scheduled for the next game thread, and I am not going to be looking up any Hawks info.

Try not to cry, Hotlanta.

 

[chiefwahoo]

 

[Corey]

Looks good, only one problem with the MB fact. You have the record as 6-5, but it's 6-2 (which you have correct in the small print below).

Isn't it actually 6-3?
We had two chances to beat Detroit, and one to beat Boston.

 

[cavsgirl26]

 

[djlofi]

Isn't it actually 6-3?
We had two chances to beat Detroit, and one to beat Boston.

The Cavs had two chances to beat Detroit in 06 and lost the series. They had one chance to beat Boston in 08 and lost. But they also needed two games to close out the Nets series in 07 and the Wizards series in 08. They've played in 11 close out games and have won 6 and lost 5. Should have been more clear about the close out term.

 

[-KingofKings23-]

Sweepage!

BTW you dont have Othella Hunter on the Hawks bench but it doesnt really matter.

 

[camakazee]

The Cavs had two chances to beat Detroit in 06 and lost the series. They had one chance to beat Boston in 08 and lost. But they also needed two games to close out the Nets series in 07 and the Wizards series in 08. They've played in 11 close out games and have won 6 and lost 5. Should have been more clear about the close out term.

Ah, ok. I was just trying to clarify because you had "their only two losses" written below the 6-5 record (now I see you were referring to the only two losses that led to them losing the series). Good work, though.

 

[The Oi]

Noone else is concerned we give up game 4? For some reason this one concerns me.

 

[breanna]

Noone else is concerned we give up game 4? For some reason this one concerns me.

It concerns me a little, but I have a feeling that the team won't let it happen.

 

[Da_James_Gang]

Noone else is concerned we give up game 4? For some reason this one concerns me.

I predicted a 5 games series and game 4 is the one i picked us to lose. But i actually feel pretty good about it.

 

[The Oi]

This seems like a perfect game to drop but it's become clear that if the Cavs go up 10+ on this team they completely quit. I've also noticed that if the Hawks are defended into 3-4 difficult shots in a row and/or a turnover, they completely turn on each other out there.

I can't remember the last time I saw a team that was more mentally weak than the Hawks. I mean once you get a lead on these guys and slow down one of either Smith or JJ they are toast.