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Cavaliers feel it's time to get even
James seeks another breakout performance
Tuesday, May 29, 2007 3:34 AM
By James Walker

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
The Dispatch's James Walker blogs on the Cavs and the NBA
CLEVELAND -- There's one defining statistic so far in the Eastern Conference finals: After three games, the Cavaliers have scored 240 points and the Detroit Pistons have scored 240 points.

"So is the series tied then, because we all have the same points?" Cleveland forward Drew Gooden joked yesterday. "It just shows you how valuable every possession is."

The Pistons lead the series 2-1, but the gap between the two teams has been minimal. Every game has come down to the final two minutes, and the home team has won each game.

Tonight, the Cavaliers will try to continue that trend and even the series. On Sunday, the crowd in Quicken Loans Arena was as loud as it has been all season.

"We're giving this crowd and this city something they, right now, obviously, haven't seen in 15 years," forward Donyell Marshall said. "Hopefully, we're trying to get them somewhere they haven't been, period."

In Game 3, the Cavaliers laid out the blueprint of how to beat the Pistons: LeBron James had a big game offensively and his supporting cast followed, resulting in a victory.

James was on his game for the first time in the series, scoring 32 points, including 12 points in the crucial fourth quarter, in addition to nine rebounds and nine assists. He controlled every facet of the game after Detroit held him to an average of just 14.5 points in the first two losses.

James' big night took a lot of pressure off his supporting cast. Role players generally play better at home, and three additional starters scored in double figures: Zydrunas Ilgauskas (16 points), Sasha Pavlovic (13) and Drew Gooden (12).

Rookie point guard Daniel Gibson also contributed off the bench with nine points, including two three-pointers off assists from James in the second half.

The backcourt duo of Gibson and Pavlovic also played well defensively, holding Detroit's Richard Hamilton and Chauncey Billups to 6-of-22 shooting from the field and 20 combined points. Hamilton's seven-point effort was his second-fewest points scored in 96 playoff games.

"With our team, the way that we play and the way that our plays are set up, if Rip and me are having a bad night at the same time it's going to be tough for us to win," Billups said. "It doesn't happen often. Sometimes one of us gets going."

The Cavaliers likely will be without starting point guard Larry Hughes tonight, who has plantar fasciitis in his left foot. Hughes sprained the foot in the first quarter Sunday on a reverse layup. Coach Mike Brown hasn't settled on a starter, but Gibson is expected to get the call.

Cleveland is trying to overcome a lot of history. Only two of 57 teams have come back from a 0-2 deficit to win a conference finals series. Also, Detroit is 11-0 when winning the first two games of any playoff series.

But none of that matters to the Cavs, who are taking a one-game approach and avoiding the daunting picture of having to beat Detroit four out of five times. Instead, they just want to protect their home court tonight and make it a best-of-three series.

"It's all about execution down the stretch," James said. "There's going to be a lot of things going on in the fourth quarter, because we know the game is going to be tight. We have to do a good job of executing offensively and defensively and try and take what's there."

jwalker@dispatch.com

2-2 looks a lot nicer than 3-1, says Captain Obvious.

Assuming LeBron stays aggressive, this game and possibly this series comes down to one thing... are the rest of the Cavs going to make the shots.

Sir Charles has said 8million times, LeBron has to be the best player on the court for 4 games to win this series.... and I think he will be the best player in every game from here on out... the question is will Pavlovic, Gooden, Hughes, Gibson, Marhsall, etc make the open shots when he gets them the ball? If they make a good percentage, the Cavs have a chance, if they don't, the Cavs have little chance of winning this series...

I'm counting on Gibson to play BIG tonight. A couple of 3's for Gibson, and Marshall would be SWEET! Not to mention it would help out LeBron a TON!

As always, GO CAVS!!

I hope we come out totally fired up tonight. Go Cavs!

Having Hughes out might be a blessing in disguise. The team looked a lot better with Gibson out there in Game 3.

Yea, I'd probably prefer Gibson get 30 minutes but it would be nice to have Hughes for the other 18.... He ain't worth $13 million, but this is no time to worry about his salary, he is still a good ball player and a good defender..

Hughes being out really puts pressure on Sasha and Gibson. I think they can rise to the task at hand.

A few three's from Donyell would surely be huge.

Also like to see Scott Pollard put Rasheed on the wood. My 2 cents.

I think another key tonight may be Damon Jones. He should get some run - and some big shots from him would be great. I kinda think Hughes is done for the playoffs this year. Damon getting going is another weapon if Boobie is off.

C'Mon Lebron

If the rest of the Cavs+LBJ make thier shots we as good as gold.

Let's stick it to them, and let's go CAVS!!!!!

Boobie!

RISE UP

EFF MICHIGAN

GO CAVS!!!

hughes will play tonight, according to wknr...

not sure about him starting or not...

WTF? Hughes is starting? crap.

Bring in Gibson already damn it!!!!!!

Larry has shut down Billups this series, and what is the Cavs record since he took over point?

Nevermind

LET'S EAT THEIR CHILDREN! GO CAVS!

I love how Rasheed didn't even TRY to stop LeBron on that dunk.

That dunk by LeBron was hilarious. Rasheed had responsibility on that, but he saw the head of steam LBJ had and didn't want his poster to become a series and just let him have it. 13-10 Cavs right now...

Definitely

26-22 Cavs after one quarter. Gooden with 10 points already. Pretty good first quarter...

Cavs up 26-22 after 1.

Gooden with 10 already.

Hmm, must be an echo in here

WOW! LeBron's second big dunk...

That one from Gibson.

Gibson is tha' shizznit!!!

Gibson to LeBron... Awesome dunk!

Was a nice lob from boobie as well.

BOOBIE!!!!!!!!!

Boobie's all over the court

Wow, Gibson is growing up before everyone's eyes. He was one of my favorite players to start the season and has now evolved into my favorite. The kid has a high basketball IQ - he knows how to draw fouls, he has great shot selection, and knows how to pass.

I think he's got a shot to be great if he can work just a little bit more on his ball-handling skills.

What a game so far!

BOOBIE!!!!!

10 point Cavs lead. Sweet.

Nice steal and put back by LBJ.