• Changing RCF's index page, please click on "Forums" to access the forums.

W Phoenix 106 Cleveland 113

Do Not Sell My Personal Information

LyXo

Gold Star Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2005
Messages
2,916
Reaction score
921
Points
113
GAME #42
pho.gif
vs.jpg
cle.gif

Phoenix Suns (28-15) @ Cleveland Cavaliers (24-17)

Quicken Loans Arena
Sunday, January 29, 2006
1:00pm ET
TV: ABC
Radio : WTAM 1100

Head Coaches
mike_dantoni.jpg
mike_brown.jpg

Mike D'Antoni / Mike Brown

Probable Starters
steve_nash.jpg
eric_snow.jpg

Steve Nash / Eric Snow

raja_bell.jpg
aleksandar_pavlovic.jpg

Raja Bell / Sasha Pavlovic

boris_diaw.jpg
lebron_james.jpg

Boris Diaw / LeBron James

shawn_marion.jpg
drew_gooden.jpg

Shawn Marion / Drew Gooden

kurt_thomas.jpg
zydrunas_ilgauskas.jpg

Kurt Thomas / Zydrunas Ilguaskas

Cleveland Cavaliers Bench
damon_jones.jpg
donyell_marshall.jpg
luke_jackson.jpg
anderson_varejao.jpg
alan_henderson.jpg
mike_wilks.jpg
zendon_hamilton.jpg

D Jones/D Marshall/L Jackson/A Varejao/A Henderson/M Wilks/Z Hamilton

Denver Nuggets Bench
james_jones.jpg
leandro_barbosa.jpg
pat_burke.jpg
eddie_house.jpg
jim_jackson.jpg
dijon_thompson.jpg
nikoloz_tskitishvili.jpg

J Jones/L Barbosa/P Burke/E House/J Jackson/D Thompson/N Tskitishvili

* lyXo's Keys to the Game *

* Control the tempo: Prevent easy transition baskets by getting back on defense. Execute half-court offense, slowing the game down and forcing them to play defense. Wear down the legs of their shooters.

* Attack the basket: Phoenix was almost killed by Joe Johnson with his inside game. We must do the same to a weak frontcourt. Play in the post. Don't settle for off-balance jumpers.

* Solid defense: If we give the Suns open looks, they'll make them. We have to challenge shots and force tough looks. We must come out with the intention on stopping them, not scoring with them.

Last meeting was a close one. We let it go in the waning moments. But that was in Phoenix. This time, in the Q, the Cavs will have the energy to handle this unfinished business. They are rolling on all cylinders, I see them winning this one.
 
Re: Cleveland vs Phoenix

If Cleveland can play their game, and play a full 48 minutes of defense, we'll have a very good shot at beating the Suns, especially with it being at home. And I think the Cavs seem to step up more when they are playing a title contender, just like they did when they beat Detroit.
 
Re: Cleveland vs Phoenix

Suns are playing very good but we were close to winning last time but this time its at the Q. I see this being a close game. Hope the Cavs step it up and win.
 
Re: Cleveland vs Phoenix

This one is going to be about tempo I think. The Suns are definately a run and gun type team, so the Cavs would do well to turn this into a half court grind. Kurt Thomas and Shawn Marion aren't going to be able to guard Z in the half court set, and the Suns athleticism should be negated a bit by having 5 guys in a set defense. Look for lots of zone to help clog the lane to deal with a bunch of quick guards. Unfortunately, our zone isn't that refined just yet and we seem to give up lots of back door stuff and open weak side treys, especially to a team like the Suns that can get it going on offense.

Will Eric Snow be our most efficient scorer again? Will Damon Jones be the rock in the defense? I'd love to see it happen.
 
Re: Cleveland vs Phoenix

I still don't see what transformed Boris Diaw from lottery dud in Atlanta to freaking sweet baller in Phoenix..

Final Phoenix 109 Cavaliers 78
 
Re: Cleveland vs Phoenix

109-78 Omg And Your A Cavs Fan??? Lol Damn Cavs Almost Beat The Suns On Phoenix And Now We Are On Are Home Vourt And U Think We Are Going To Lose By That Much Omg Get Outta Here...
 
Re: Cleveland vs Phoenix

Considering the Cavs were competitive with the Suns in Phoenix, and we were in a losing streak at the time, we have a good chance to win. Now the Cavaliers have won 4 straight and are on a winning roll, and playing at home. Hopefully the crowd gets into it early, and the guys play strong for 48. Wont be easy though, but the Cavs can do it!!!
 
Re: Cleveland vs Phoenix

Suns 109- Cavs 94 :eek:
We haven't played well on national TV for a very long time- and we're going against a team that will want to showcase what they do, shoot the ball well. Phoenix should have it blown wide open by the 3rd quarter.

Our only hope is as Dung said, tempo. This game is all about establishing Z, and Lebron must hit those unexpected deep jumpers that we've come to rely on to keep us in the game. Without a good performance by Z we are in big trouble though.

If Phoenix is hot- Nash is too quick for Snow or Jones so we'll probably be forced into playing Wilks, which kills our game plan. Barbosa is back and playing well. We'll be paying too much attention to buying time for Z when he picks up early fouls- James Jones, Barbosa and Eddie House could have free reign off the bench.
 
Re: Cleveland vs Phoenix

6-4 We're playing at our pace but Phoenix is matching shot for shot.
 
Re: Cleveland vs Phoenix

Announcers acknowledging Z's greatness at the line. Bill Walton can't think of anything bad to see about Z so goes on a tangent about Jack Sikma's FT shooting.
 
Re: Cleveland vs Phoenix

Technical on Marion, Z hits the T shot. Talking about Sasha just getting into the rotation recently.

Pavs takes the foul on Kurt Thomas. 9-7 Cleveland.
 
Re: Cleveland vs Phoenix

Pavs for 333333!

Lebron takes it strong to the hoop, gets fouled. Phx 2nd foul. Lebron makes 1 of 2. 13-11 Cavs
 
Re: Cleveland vs Phoenix

Marion for 3. They are putting on a passing clinic. Marion and Nash are in fluidic space.

Lebron turns over with a tough bounce pass trying to get to someone in the post. 16-13 Cavs.

Gooden taking it strong in the post but they are playing him tough so far, 2 misses. He can't let Kurt Thomas negate him but so far he is.
 
Re: Cleveland vs Phoenix

Sick 15-foot jumper by Lebron while falling out of bounds. Emulating Jordan's signature move.
 
Re: Cleveland vs Phoenix

Nice highlight piece comparing Steve Nash to great passers Bob Cousy and Magic Johnson.

Marshall airballs from R corner. :eek:

The good thing is we don't look so out of place on Nat'l TV. We look like we belong here now, which was not the case last year.

Nash with a sick wheeling L hook in the the lane. Amazing! 18-15, Phoenix takes the lead. I have a bad feeling about this.
 

Rubber Rim Job Podcast Video

Episode 3-13: "Backup Bash Brothers"

Rubber Rim Job Podcast Spotify

Episode 3:11: "Clipping Bucks."
Top