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NBA playoffs
Cavs want James, offense to find traction
Thursday, May 24, 2007 3:57 AM
By James Walker

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
The Dispatch's James Walker blogs on the Cavs
CLEVELAND -- Neither Eastern Conference finals team walked away from Game 1 particularly happy with its play, but the Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons believe they will perform better tonight in Game 2 in the Palace of Auburn Hills.

"That is what good teams do," Cavs forward Drew Gooden said yesterday. "They always think that they can play better that next day. I think you'll see a more competitive game in Game 2."

The Cavs need more offense from LeBron James, who scored just 10 points in Game 1. He didn't attempt a free throw for the first time in the postseason, in part because referees swallow their whistles this time of year and in part because he was often double-teamed and passed to teammates.

"We just have to give him the ball and tell him to attack," Cavs coach Mike Brown said, "and if they load the floor, he's going to have to swing it. He's going to have to move it, and the other guys are going to have to step in and make shots."

The Cavaliers are shooting just 42.5 percent from the field in the postseason, and now they're facing one of the league's best defensive teams.

"It's going to be tough," one NBA scout said. "The Cavs are going to have to play as well as they did the first game but obviously make the plays at crunch time. And James has to be more aggressive offensively.

"They let that first game get away, and with a team like Detroit, a veteran team, you can never get that one back."

Cleveland outplayed Detroit in the first half Monday and outrebounded the Pistons 49-41. Detroit uncharacteristically turned over the ball 16 times, and the Cavaliers controlled the pace of the game until the third quarter, when the Pistons outscored them 21-14.

"We know we have to execute our game plan for as close to 48 minutes as possible," Brown said, "because if we make a couple of mistakes, which we did down the stretch in Game 1, they will make us pay."

The Cavaliers led 76-75 before Pistons guard Chauncey Billups, held mostly in check by a trapping defense, hit a three-pointer with 1:52 to play.

"He did a good job of adjusting as the game went on," Cavs guard Eric Snow said. "The game and the series are all about making the proper adjustments and being able to execute."

James had the ball in the lane with a chance to tie in the closing seconds, but he passed to an open Donyell Marshall beyond the three-point arc in the right corner. Marshall missed.

If the Cavs, who lost Game 2 of a playoff series last year in Detroit, can steal a victory tonight, they would bring some real excitement back home. As they have all postseason, they are trying to stay loose.

Yesterday in practice, for instance, Marshall received a pass in the same spot along the baseline.

Marshall cocked, fired and nailed a three, causing a mock team-wide celebration.

"They rushed on the court like it was Game 1," Marshall said with a smile.

And then, "I bet they won't leave me open again."

jwalker@dispatch.com

This is a MUST win game IMO. We have to come back home tied and need another huge game from the supporting cast. CAVS have to go right back out and keep punching them in the mouth!

LETS GO CAVS!

LETS GO CAVS!

Need this one,real bad.

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CAVS have to go right back out and keep punching them in the mouth!

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You're right. We need Pollard in the game to use some fouls on their big bodies.

We need this win to come into Cleveland with the series tied, which will give us a HUGE advantage.

GO CAVS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

lets go cavssssssssssssssssssssssssss

i agree that pollard could actually be used a bit in this series. one big thing is not allowing layups. hack them. that means make sure you hit them hard and not any bs touchfouls that lead to and ones. webber and rasheed are not good free throw shooters.

if we give the same gritty effort we gave monday and get a bit more out of drew, we should be in pretty good shape as we know LBJ will look for his own a bit more and he WILL get more whistles if he continues going to the cup.

we must get him the ball. he needs at least 20 shots to win. webber can't guard him let Z dominate.

Go Cavs!!!

GO CAVS!!!!!!!

Go right out there and take it to em'!

Eat Richard Hamilton's children.

i agree Z is the key

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one big thing is not allowing layups. hack them. that means make sure you hit them hard and not any bs touchfouls that lead to and ones.

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Yeah, Z was guilty of that on atleast one occassion I can recall from the last game. Hammer the guy when he's going up for an easy 2 or don't touch him at all.

I like Z by the way, not hating.

I hope Gooden can play well tonight too. When he goes, so do the Cavs.

We need tonight's game if we have a chance in this series.

I don't watch b-ball a lot, but does richard hamilton always run around like an idiot with that mask on?

Sasha has improved defensively, but players like Hamilton will always give him trouble. He is much better against a more physical guy who isn't in a motion offense. On the other side though, Hamilton and Hughes are similar players (best used in high motion offenses, streaky shooters at times, plus defenders) and that match-up would be much more even. The problem then becomes what to do with Billups. Snow is a good match-up, but you're running 4-on-5 offensively. Gibson may be the best match-up on this team, but I doubt whether or not Brown would go with him in this situation.

We blew that game Monday, it was ours for the taking and we choked in the end there. I hope to God that we steal this one in Detroit tonight and prove that we are a better team than the Pissed-Ons.

LETS GO CAVS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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The problem then becomes what to do with Billups. Snow is a good match-up, but you're running 4-on-5 offensively.

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I like Snow in that scenerio myself, you're right he's an offensive liability but in the end his man doesn't outscore him and if his man does..it isn't by much.

Z drew first blood

Well, we need to catch up pretty quick or we will be down all night.

Let's go guys, come on!!!!!!!!

One question: Who the F are these pistons bench players? all stars in disguise? Maxiall?? Who the hell is this guy??

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One question: Who the F are these pistons bench players? all stars in disguise? Maxiall?? Who the hell is this guy??

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Maxiell's playing just like he did at Cincinnati under Chuggy Bear. Rebounding, and blocking shots... He has those E.T. arms like Prince.

yay, we're ahead for the first time in the game.*

Marshall is a bad matchup on him inside.. Marshall just doesn't compare physically.

Damon is in!!!!!!

We need someone to make some clutch shots. And Damon actually played good D I thought against the Nets in game 6.

We need to get Ted Washington in there.

Damn you Maxiell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG Gibson made a three pointer

Boobie... (I like saying that)

How come our shots never go in, what's going on here?

There's an invisible lid on our basket

Boobie

How come you keep saying boobie?

It's Daniel Gibson's nickname

The key to whether the Cavs hold on will be how they come out in the 3rd quarter. Seems like Mike Brown, or somebody, slips Prozac in their water and they come out dead. Need to keep up this INTENSITY! Cavs up 50-38 at the half

NOW THATS WHAT I"M TALKING ABOUT!!!!!!!!!! WOOOO!

GO CAVS!!!!!!!