Game Preview: Nets @ Cavaliers

[kobimel]

<div align="center">

vs

<font color=""Navy"">New Jersey Nets(14-18) </font>@ <font color=""red"">Cleveland Cavaliers</font>(20-12)
Time: Saturday, January 6, 2007 7:30 EST
TV: YES
Away/Home</div>

After three straight wins each, the Nets and Cavs face each other tonight in what should be an interesting battle. Both teams are playing the second game of a back-to-back.

The Nets are coming off an impressive win against Chicago, in which they finally took over a game in the fourth quarter instead of breaking apart like Chris Webber's knee. Vince Carter scored 21 points and Jason Kidd had a magical basket in the clutch which secured the Nets' lead and the win. Tonight, the Nets will need both at their best in order to beat the Cavs. The Nets are missing Jason Collins (and of course Nenad Krstic) and will probably go small with Nachbar at PF like they did against the Bulls.

As for Cleveland, LeBron James is trying to bounce back after a shooting a dismal 3-13 from the field against Milwaukee yesterday. Drew Gooden had a career night, with 31 points and 16 rebounds, and he lead the Cavs to the win despite LeBron's horrible shooting.

Starting Lineups:

New Jersey Nets:

PG:Jason Kidd
SG:Vince Carter
SF:Richard Jefferson
PF:Boki Nachbar
C:Mikki Moore

Cleveland Cavaliers:

PG:Eric Snow
SG:Larry Hughes
SF:LeBron James
PFrew Gooden
C:Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Keys to the Game:

-Stop LeBron. Despite the Cavs winning with LeBron not playing well against Milwaukee, it's obvious that the Cavs need LeBron playing well in order for them to play well. The rest of the Cavs have been incosistent this season, so stopping LeBron is a main priority for the Nets.

-Get the Cavs to the line instead of giving the easy shot. The Cavs are shooting a league-low 69% on free throws this season.

-Lead at the end of the 3rd quarter. The Nets are 2-13 when trailing after three and 14-4 when the have the lead

Prediction: Cavs by 8

 

[thedude9990]

is collins hurt?

 

[Legacy]

<div class="quote_poster">kobimel Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">finally took over a game in the fourth quarter instead of breaking apart like Chris Webber's knee.
</div>

 

[Fitch4Delk00]

Im so pissed at Frank and his love for Nachbar, give ADAMS the minutes. Nachbar does nothing for us put jack up bad shots.

 

[bbwchingy0007]

good preview Kobi, I especially like your prediction, lol. For those of you wanting another prediction, check out mine from the Cavs forum. It's a bit shorter as I have exams, but give it a read anyway. Please. lol.

good luck tonight (but please don't win)

 

[NJNetz]

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">is collins hurt?</div>

Yup.

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Nets center Jason Collins isn't expected to play because of a back strain, but forward Cliff Robinson is back from a knee injury.... Both teams are playing on the second night of back-to-backs: The Nets hosted Chicago Friday.... The Cavs have one of the NBA's best home records at 14-3.</div>
Source

 

[Legacy]

Kidd is 0-4 for threes. Vince hasn't even shot a three. I think they switched shoes. Nachbar and Moore with 5 points and RJ has 6.

Down by 13.

 

[XSV]

Why isn't Boone playing!! I could do a better job coaching this team. Seriously.

 

[NJNetz]

Well I missed this game, but it doesn't matter how we played, if we ended up losing the game.

Kidd 11 pts 9 rebs 6 asts (Kidd asts are really down after Krstic's injury)
Carter 18 pts 7 rebs
Jefferson 17 pts 4 rebs 5 asts
Moore 18 pts 10 rebs
Nacbar 12 pts
BoxScore

 

[XSV]

Once again screwed over by the refs on the final shot. Snow hit Carter on the arm on the final 3. Even the Cavs announcer knew it. Why aren't the refs giving him any respect? Ridiculous. Frank's play calling near the end was ass-bad.

 

[NJNetz]

<div class="quote_poster">XSV Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Once again screwed over by the refs on the final shot. Snow hit Carter on the arm on the final 3. Even the Cavs announcer knew it. Why aren't the refs giving him any respect? Ridiculous. Frank's play calling near the end was ass-bad.</div>

I don't understand why Carter was even taking the shot, when RJ made the previous 3.

 

[P.A.P.]

<div class="quote_poster">Mercury Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I don't understand why Carter was even taking the shot, when RJ made the previous 3.</div>

They had to rush it up court and VC was in the best posistion to make the shot.

VC is wayy to passive and doesn't look for his shot enough. He's always looking to pass in the post and off the pick.

 

[NJNetz]

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">They had to rush it up court and VC was in the best posistion to make the shot</div>

From multiple replays, I saw RJ was pretty open. LJ was far away from Jefferson, and wasn't even looking at him.

 

[Next Level Game]

Tough loss, but the team is playing better coming out the half and so we have not much to worry about. Scrape it off and get the next one.

 

[Legacy]

Nets Show Guts

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">In the end the Nets lost to Cleveland tonight, but they are showing signs of a team that wants to make this a season. They were oh so close to winning their fourth straight game. They were within a Vince Carter three-pointer from tying it in the final seconds.

Overall though, you saw a more aggressive Vince Carter. VC had 18 points and 7 assists. This is a good sign if he can keep this going. He had his moments of fading into the furniture, which the Nets cannot afford, but his highlight reel dunk showed the fire he needs to play with. Mikki Moore continued his surprising play with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Jason Kidd had his pat 11 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists. He did have some uncharacteristic forced turnovers and missed a lot of early open three-pointers, but his game came around when it mattered. Boki was again solid off the bench with 12.

It is striking how much control the Nets have over the Cavaliers. This Net team was woefully undersized tonight, yet they fought strong the whole way with a legitimate chance to win. In all their games with Clevo, the Nets always seem in control, no matter how dominant Lebron plays. For whatever reason, when you throw an inundation of skilled perimeter players at the Cavs, they have troubles.</div>

Source

 

[XSV]

With JC out, I'm beginning to see how important he is to this team. His team defense and defensive awareness is great, and seeing Moore out there (who lacks both of these) it's a lot easier to appreciate what he brings to the table. I guarantee He would have been up on those jumpshots of either Gooden or Z which were both dropping. He also boxes out on D, which was a problem as well.