DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Cavaliers @ Nets Game 4

http://www.sportsline.com/nba/gamecenter/preview/NBA_20070514_CLE@NJ

VENUE: Continental Airlines Arena



EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - LeBron James has no intention of letting the New Jersey Nets turn him into an outside shooter and passer again.

While many may point to another triple-double by Jason Kidd or the Nets' ability to rebound and score in transition as the keys to Game 3 on Saturday, the real difference was New Jersey's success in keeping the 22-year-old Cavs superstar on the outside with myriad defenses.

James was double- and triple-teamed. His route along the baseline was closed off. And when he tried to go down the lane, a Nets big man stepped up and blocked his path. The result was a 96-85 victory that cut Cleveland's lead in the series to 2-1.

"There were times where I could have attacked a little bit more," James said Sunday before the Cavaliers practiced at John Jay College in New York. "That's why I watch a lot of film."

The loss ended the Cavaliers' franchise-record, six-game postseason winning streak and a 10-game run dating to the final weeks of the regular season. It also puts the pressure on James and the Cavaliers for the first time in the playoffs, with New Jersey looking to tie the series in Game 4 on Monday night at Continental Airlines Arena.

"It's not like the end of the world," said James, who only went to the basket five times on 16 shots. "It's not like the NCAA tournament where you lose one game and you're out. I got Game 4 to better myself and I'll be better, I'll be better tomorrow."

A look at the Game 3 final box may suggest that James played well with 18 points and 12 assists, accounting for 42 points.

What the box doesn't show is that James' failure to get into the paint meant that Mikki Moore and Jason Collins didn't have to provide help defense for the Nets, and left them in better position to box out on defense.

After getting 39 offensive rebounds in the first two games of the series in Cleveland, the Cavs were limited to five in Game 3.

"It's all about making him feel uncomfortable," Nets forward Bostjan Nachbar said of James, who was 5-of-16 from the field. "We're trying to make him create more and limit his ability to get to the rim."

Cavaliers coach Mike Brown scoffed at the idea that the Nets suddenly found a way to handle James, who averaged 28.5 points in the first two games. He said teams have always thrown gimmick defenses at James.

Brown's only complaint was that James seemed to settle for a couple of jumpers, with the two biggest coming with the Cavaliers trailing 77-73 with about 9 minutes to play.

"I think he's like the third-leading scorer in the playoffs, or something like that ... for me, it's not the end of the world," Brown said. "I want him to attack if it's there. If he can score any time he has the ball, he's got the green light to do it. But if he feels that his teammate is open and he makes that pass, then I got to live with that, too."

The bottom line is that James has to be more aggressive. If he can't get to the rim, he probably will have to post his man up closer to the basket, since he has the size and strength to do that.

James also can't settle for 16 shots. That's four fewer than Cavs point guard Larry Hughes took.

"I think he needs to mix it up," Brown said. "I do think he needs to sit down deep sometimes, which may not allow them to come double him as quickly or as effectively. He might be able to go quick and score. I want him to step out on the floor, too, so they don't see the same thing every time."

The Nets expect James to adjust.

"He can get to the basket," said Kidd, who had 23 points, 14 assists and 13 rebounds in posting his 11th playoff career triple-double, second most in NBA history. "We just try to make it as tough as possible."

The one problem that could ruin the Nets would be if James and Hughes hit their outside shots. Then New Jersey would have to adjust.

"We're looking to take a 3-1 lead and go back home," James said. "We're still up two games to one, they're chasing us. We're just going to go out there and play well and be ready to play."

Cavaliers reserve forward Donyell Marshall had a walking boot on his left foot on Sunday and his status for Game 4 is uncertain. He said he landed on someone's foot going for a rebound in the second half.

-----

AP Basketball Writer Brian Mahoney contributed to this report.

AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service

Copyright 2006-2007, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved

One thing I took from Saturdays game that I liked was how tough we were playing. The Cavs were giving some hard fouls, some playoff fouls. If you remember last year how soft and timid we were, it was nice to see this team start to develop that toughness.

I agree but what I didn't like was that our offense appeared to go stagnant again... standing around, waiting 15 seconds, then throwing up a long jumper... We don't have the shooters to win that way consistently, the Cavs game is going to the basket.

Oh, and if you like the hard fouls and the physical play.. did you see GS and Utah last night? I thought the benches were going to clear a couple times in that one...

Quote:

---

Oh and is anyone else sick and tired of hearing about the Sasha's defense is his offense story? If I have to hear that story one more time Im gonna flip out.

---

Well I do like that the NBA is including Sasha's block in all of their playoff promos now..

What time is tip off?

7

4pm my time ? thank you

Come on Cavs, Let's get it done out there!!!

Pavlovich is starting to think he's James.

LMAO, I thought the exact same thing when I saw that.

Z has to be the worst basketball player ever. At 5'7" I'd make a more intimidating center. Game and series over. The Cavs blow. Nets shoot 25% in the 1st Q and the Cavs are losing at half. PATHETIC.

How are we getting out-rebounded again???

Chill out Soup..............not over yet!

It ticks me also.................but we still have the better team.......we will win!

Who knew you were such an athlete? Your 50 mph fastball is major league ready in another thread and your 5-7 frame is NBA ready in this thread. Does your 14" vertical allow you to sub-in for the flat footed Leigh Bodden as well?

Z has 4 pts and 9 rebs right now. You simply don't find talented big man on the street... at least not taller than 5-7, I guess....

That's it...bring in Pollard right now to take care of Moore...

My bad, the initial scouting report had you listed at 14, I should have gone straight to the source himself...

Cavs lead by 5 (Z with 6 and 10 now, by the way, on his way to a double-double by the looks of it). TO Nets after the LBJ 3.

16-3 run

I dream of that 14" vertical. You'll really be impressed when I bust out the 5.7 40 time

Verajo needs to enter this game immediately to cover Moore. Z is downright horrible.

This has become a very good game... 75-73 Cavs with 8:00 to go.

They always have to make it stressful.

86-83 with about 21 seconds left, come on Cavs pull it out.

I hate Vince Carter...

I've missed most of this game, but this is a really tense ending!

NICE D!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vince Carter loses ball, the Cavs win a thriller!!!

W00H00 ! That should clinch the series for us

I just don't see them ::knocks wood:: taking two from us in our house.

Whew... that was closer than it should have been. Cavs up 3-1 coming home... thank goodness.

YEAH BABY! ONE MORE!!!!!!!

And damn you LBJ. All that flash and can't hit friken free throws

What an intense game.

Man I love the playoffs. Playing a series against a team, you really start to hate that opposing team, this is where rivalries really are created. I love it.

lebron should take some of that money that he has and buy eric snow a bentley, because maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan he bailed him out with that defense...

good win tonight, winning ulgy on the road is what it's all about

oh, and espn, and michael wilbon, bill walton, tim legler...

time to eat that big plate of humble pie, because the nets are getting closed out on wednesday...

great job by the cavs to bounce back after a tough loss