Thurs NBA....

[jimbof20]

Playoffs 9-4 +20.7u

Had this game eyeballed from the beginning of the series..everything played out just as I figured, Now I think Cavs win game 5...Im so sick of hearing how Detroit is toying with us..Detroit is nervous, they really have been outplayed every game this series,and their maturity and experience was able to sneak them a few wins..But Cavs know they can beat Detroit in Detroit...Cavs are getting no respect still and Im happy...Lets just say it how it is, We are just as good on defense,better on offense, and a better rebounding team and are a nightmare matchup for Detroit...If anyone of Detroits starters have a bad game,they are screwed,they have no guys who can take over..Just as I expected,our bigs have had their way without Big Ben in there...Our players are stepping up,hitting shots. Last year at this time we almost won with E.Snow and Flip in our backcourt...I really expect to wint his game but 5.5 points is a gift....Cavs in 6

Cavs +5.5 8u

 

[brewer]

dis shit should already be over with if donyell makes dat trey and hughes dat 7 footer.

 

[brewer]

and i love that people are backing detroit at -5.5. no way they go 0-10 ats (1h and fg) ... :36_11_6:

 

[jimbof20]

You know what..This simply isnt the same Detroit team,but I give them ALOT of respect. They play great team basketball and never give up..But with all homerism aside I think they really are outmatched this year. Ben Wallace was the key last year IMO.. These guys now are just dying to find a hot hand and hope to ride it...

 

[B.A.R.]

Not sure how I view the game yet...

I do disagree with a few things.

One, Ben was a problem last year. He was already on his way outta town and played half-ass in the playoffs and was showing his age.

This DET offense is better equipped but against CLE they are not always properly executing it. Now, a lot of that is a very good Cavs defense. The other part is...

2 pronged...

Detroit for years has this tendancy to just try one isolation play or drain a shot-clock late in games. They lose any movement or sense of urgency on offense. Now, their defense is so good and they execute pretty well most of the time. This is a big reason they have had trouble the pst two playoff season and why they blow so many Covers at home during the regular season. Its a totally different offense come the last 6-7 minutes. Last night DET led 75-71 at about the 6-7 mark and it looked like they had control. Suddenly they stopped pushing and being aggressive and at the same point CLE got some hoops from Gooden and some FT's and it was over.

The other thing that stymies the offense is how they use Chris. He and Billups have never meshed properly suince he got here. We used Chris to faciliate offense and it ran great for a few months outside of Chauncey. Then we reverted the other way and don;t use Webber at the elbow as much and the offense has less movement.

The funny thing is when Webber has been on floor this series he has been t a "plus" number(meaning DET is winning the battle when he was out there). This wasn;t as prevelant in Game 4 but overall still is.

I disagree with your comment that the bigs are outplaying DET's. Gooden had a nice 1st and 4th yesterday. If he hits 18-19 footers..congrats. Rasheed and Dice were DOMINATING defensively in the paint the entire second half. They also could get what they wanted(whether it be a basket or a double-team) in the second half. CLE gutted it out more late otherwise DET prolly wins but to say the Cavs big men are dominating is just wrong.

This series is where it should be...

Just like CLE fans can say they should have won late in games 1-2 DET fans can say the same for Game 4...maybe even game 3.

CLE simply could do nothing in the last 4 minutes last night. After GFoodens little streak(and James sick fallaway) the only thing the Cavs could do was muster some FT's offl oose-ball fouls. If DET had not gotten so impatient in the last few minutes they would have stolen the game. Billups tried that three thinking he could get contact. He tried same thing in first half. Its one of his pet moves..something that Gibson kinda copies when he had that three point play last night. The refs are not going for any of that in this series as Anderson Varajoe is finding out with his garbage tactics(and you all know how much I respect that kids game flopping aside).

 

[B.A.R.]

DET tries to make the tempo to their liking. The problem is against another solid defensive team it gets hard for them.

Look at the opportunities they had when they pushed for an early post-up or when they actually went at Gibson/Jones when they were in the game. Now Gibson is tough to guard on the other end. So we put Hunter in their who locks him down but that makes offense a bit harder.

I think Gibson starts game 5..and I think you will see him be in foul trouble the entire night. That is gonna be a huge key. Either Billups posts him like he did a few times late in first qtr and early 2nd qtr or Rip rises above him for 10-15 footers like he did in 2nd half of Game 4. They must go at this kid for the full time he is on floor. They only did it about 50 percent of the time in Game 4.

 

[B.A.R.]

btw..this is no suprise..I said Cavs to Finals for months...but the refs are being pretty consistent..which is nice...the Cavs had the slight HCA on about 4-5 calls last night but thats fine...teams expect that on road.

Its going 7 either way..and Game 7 will be very interesting.

 

[JPicks]

I do recall Detroit running out to a 2-0 lead last year before falling behind 3-2 and eventually winning 4-3. I certainly will have a hard time laying 5.5 with the Pistons though. 0-4 ATS this year and 2-5 ATS last year against the Cavs in the playoffs speaks loud enough.

 

[B.A.R.]

DET did same thing in championship year...2-0 against Jersey...look horrid in next two..lose triple OT in game 5 and win in 7.

 

[jimbof20]

Not sure how I view the game yet...

I do disagree with a few things.

One, Ben was a problem last year. He was already on his way outta town and played half-ass in the playoffs and was showing his age.

This DET offense is better equipped but against CLE they are not always properly executing it. Now, a lot of that is a very good Cavs defense. The other part is...

2 pronged...

Detroit for years has this tendancy to just try one isolation play or drain a shot-clock late in games. They lose any movement or sense of urgency on offense. Now, their defense is so good and they execute pretty well most of the time. This is a big reason they have had trouble the pst two playoff season and why they blow so many Covers at home during the regular season. Its a totally different offense come the last 6-7 minutes. Last night DET led 75-71 at about the 6-7 mark and it looked like they had control. Suddenly they stopped pushing and being aggressive and at the same point CLE got some hoops from Gooden and some FT's and it was over.

The other thing that stymies the offense is how they use Chris. He and Billups have never meshed properly suince he got here. We used Chris to faciliate offense and it ran great for a few months outside of Chauncey. Then we reverted the other way and don;t use Webber at the elbow as much and the offense has less movement.

The funny thing is when Webber has been on floor this series he has been t a "plus" number(meaning DET is winning the battle when he was out there). This wasn;t as prevelant in Game 4 but overall still is.

I disagree with your comment that the bigs are outplaying DET's. Gooden had a nice 1st and 4th yesterday. If he hits 18-19 footers..congrats. Rasheed and Dice were DOMINATING defensively in the paint the entire second half. They also could get what they wanted(whether it be a basket or a double-team) in the second half. CLE gutted it out more late otherwise DET prolly wins but to say the Cavs big men are dominating is just wrong.

This series is where it should be...

Just like CLE fans can say they should have won late in games 1-2 DET fans can say the same for Game 4...maybe even game 3.

CLE simply could do nothing in the last 4 minutes last night. After GFoodens little streak(and James sick fallaway) the only thing the Cavs could do was muster some FT's offl oose-ball fouls. If DET had not gotten so impatient in the last few minutes they would have stolen the game. Billups tried that three thinking he could get contact. He tried same thing in first half. Its one of his pet moves..something that Gibson kinda copies when he had that three point play last night. The refs are not going for any of that in this series as Anderson Varajoe is finding out with his garbage tactics(and you all know how much I respect that kids game flopping aside).

Last year Z was the talk on every radio station in town,"where is he?" ,"hes playing like shit in the playoffs"..well tha was because with washingtons running stlye,they couldnt get Z established..and because of Ben in the Pistons series,whether he was on his way out or not,Ben caused him a lot of problems.I agree with waht you say about Detroit executing their offense and how they are better equipped,but I think the main reason is simply Clevelands defense is long and fast and can throw many different looks at them,something they underestimated...and I know this series is where it should be,its what I expected, but at the same time we got a lot confidence after the 1st two games. My comment about the bigs is basically this..Our first possesion every game is where? down low..I think they Z feels confident down low against anybody,especially when his FTs are falling, and that allos him to step out as well..Gooden has that outside shot in his bag and pull defenders out..But is too fast and can use the backcut like we have seen.Also Andy can get physical too..Just a lot of looks that wear Detroit out..Webber maybe the softest guy ever...I must say I have been very impressed with Detroits rebounding this series though....

 

[jimbof20]

Last year, they werent confident,sure they made a hell of a run,but it was sloppy..they were just riding a high....this year, I think they really expect to win this,not just have a chance and you see it in their confidence...Jump shots are falling, being more physical, they are going to the hole hard..Just not intimidated like last year...I said before this series Detroits best years are behind them and this will be like a passing of the torch series and still believe it..I think that dunk over Sheed could be the play of the series that they talk about for a long time...and I know you said Cavs this whole time BAR..Im just glad you see it like it is and not throwing the refs in....yet..LOL....GL

 

[B.A.R.]

Refs didn't factor in totally till games 5-7 last year..still time...

I think something happens in Game 5 that will shock people..don;t know what that is yet..we'll see...

 

[jimbof20]

I will say though,this line scares the hell out of me.I was happy to take the 3 I made it and run with it..I wonder how much Larrys status factors in..I think vegas is expecting an all or nothing type game from Detroit..Blowout or lose Su..Which might not be a bad thing on my end..either that or they still dont respect us but I highly doubt that cause Cavs have been a covering machine in the playoffs last year and now.

 

[jimbof20]

I do recall Detroit running out to a 2-0 lead last year before falling behind 3-2 and eventually winning 4-3. I certainly will have a hard time laying 5.5 with the Pistons though. 0-4 ATS this year and 2-5 ATS last year against the Cavs in the playoffs speaks loud enough.

The team last year didnt expect to win..They were just clicking and were able to string a few wins together..All that did was make Lebron hungry,got him a sweet taste in his mouth. This team actually believes they are better. They pumped Detroit once in Detroit during the regular season, They have came within a few shot of winning the first 2 games(and pretty much controlled both games throughout.

 

[jimbof20]

Cavs roll in 6 by DD...a no play for me though