Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like the King
Posted by: Cody Norman
It was this exact day 18 years ago that a three-time world heavyweight boxing champion by the name of Muhammad Ali lost the last fight of his career to Trevor Berbick in a unanimous decision. Even Ali, one of the greatest boxers to ever live, got knocked down a time or two. And he once said, “What keeps me going is goals.”
And that, my dear friends, is what will keep the Cavaliers pushing on after two consecutive defeats: goals. The goal of beating the Trail Blazers on Friday night and the ultimate goal of winning an NBA title.
And here’s how it breaks down:
Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge lead the charge for the 14-9 Trail Blazers. Roy is averaging an even 21 points per game with over 4.9 assists while Aldridge adds a steady 15.3 points and 7.9 rebounds a night. Since losing Greg Oden to injury on December 5, Portland is 2-1 and will be coming off a 102-91 victory over Indiana on Wednesday night. Along with Oden, Portland will be without Rudy Fernandez, Jeff Pendergraph, and Patty Mills on Friday night.
What to Look For:
Portland has lost the last four match ups with the Cavaliers, which is their longest current losing streak against any opponent. Cleveland is the only team to sweep the Blazers in each of the last two seasons and they have won nine of the last 11 meetings. Barring another turnover-filled performance, look for Cleveland to continue that streak on Friday night.
With Daniel Gibson listed as day-to-day due to an apparent right hand injury, look for Delonte West to continue seeing an increase in playing time tomorrow night. West posted another solid outing on Wednesday night in a 95-85 Cavaliers loss.
Over the last two season, Cleveland has been one of the most cool and collected teams in the NBA. On Wednesday night, however, the Wine and Gold were hit with five technical fouls (Brown 2, West, Williams, O’Neal) and you could see the frustrations mounting. Look for King James to rally his troops and play a game of inspired basketball against Portland.
Prediction:
To keep with the theme, it was Ali that said, “Superman don’t need no seat belt.” And he followed that by saying, “but Portland better buckle up” because Cleveland’s Superman is ready to rock on Friday night.
After going down big to start two of the last three games, the Cavaliers decide to turn the tables on the visiting team and put on a show of their own to start the contest. LeBron James rattles off 7 points and 2 assists before Brandon Roy scores Portland’s first bucket two and a half minutes into the game. Cleveland keeps putting the pressure on and pours on 35 points in the first period to lead 35 – 22.
Roy and Co. put together a run of their own midway through the second period and draw within 5 at the end of the half.
Back in the locker room at the break, King James does his best rendition of Ali and claims, “I am not the greatest; I’m the double greatest.” And he comes out great on both ends of the floor. Bron-Bron tacks on four steals with 14 points in the third quarter and leads the Wine and Gold to an eight point advantage through three.
Steve Blake connects on a long-range attempt to start a 9 – 2 run with James on the bench in the fourth. Clinging to a one point lead, Brown sends the King into the game with 6 minutes remaining. After Aldridge stuffs home a two-handed and-one dunk puts the Blazers ahead one with 30 seconds to go, Bron crab dribbles to the rack and takes the hoop and the harm with four seconds remaing to give the Cavs a 93 – 91 advantage. A last second desperation heave falls short as time expires and the Cavs leave home victorious.
Fugeddaboudit Poitland!
CAVS WIN +2
