Re: Washington @ Cleveland
Energized Hughes eager to face Arenas challenge
CLEVELAND - For Larry Hughes, this time is for keeps.
Technically, the Cavaliers' standout swingman already has had the maiden voyage against his old mates, the Washington Wizards, a month ago in the preseason opener in D.C.
The game tonight with the red-hot Wizards at Quicken Loans Arena is the real deal, though, and Hughes knows it. Especially his battle with All-Star and friend Gilbert Arenas.
The Wizards are off to a 5-1 start. The Cavs are 5-2 and sitting on a tidy four-game winning streak. That makes tonight quite a meaningful November test, especially for Hughes.
He'll ask coach Mike Brown to be assigned to guard Arenas, who just might be the hottest player in the NBA right now.
``I will ask for him and guard him,'' said Hughes, who is coming off his best game of the season against the Orlando Magic, scoring 22 points with nine rebounds, seven assists and four steals.
Full Story
Notable: The Cavs (5-2) and Wizards (5-1) are two of just five teams in the league with five or more wins. . . . The Cavs are on a four-game winning streak and have outscored their opponents, 103.5 to 87.0, during that span. . . . The most recent time the Cavs started a season 5-2 or better was 2000-01 when they started 6-1. . . . The Wizards lead the league in opponent's field- goal percentage (39.1). . . . Wizards coach Eddie Jordan was a second- round pick of the Cavs in the 1977 NBA Draft. . . . Wizards assistant coach Phil Hubbard is a graduate of Canton McKinley High School.
Energized Hughes eager to face Arenas challenge
CLEVELAND - For Larry Hughes, this time is for keeps.
Technically, the Cavaliers' standout swingman already has had the maiden voyage against his old mates, the Washington Wizards, a month ago in the preseason opener in D.C.
The game tonight with the red-hot Wizards at Quicken Loans Arena is the real deal, though, and Hughes knows it. Especially his battle with All-Star and friend Gilbert Arenas.
The Wizards are off to a 5-1 start. The Cavs are 5-2 and sitting on a tidy four-game winning streak. That makes tonight quite a meaningful November test, especially for Hughes.
He'll ask coach Mike Brown to be assigned to guard Arenas, who just might be the hottest player in the NBA right now.
``I will ask for him and guard him,'' said Hughes, who is coming off his best game of the season against the Orlando Magic, scoring 22 points with nine rebounds, seven assists and four steals.
Full Story
Notable: The Cavs (5-2) and Wizards (5-1) are two of just five teams in the league with five or more wins. . . . The Cavs are on a four-game winning streak and have outscored their opponents, 103.5 to 87.0, during that span. . . . The most recent time the Cavs started a season 5-2 or better was 2000-01 when they started 6-1. . . . The Wizards lead the league in opponent's field- goal percentage (39.1). . . . Wizards coach Eddie Jordan was a second- round pick of the Cavs in the 1977 NBA Draft. . . . Wizards assistant coach Phil Hubbard is a graduate of Canton McKinley High School.