Category: Cleveland Cavaliers (Page 41 of 88)

LeBron James wasn’t having the greatest night, by his standards, so he needed to get help from his supporting cast and that’s exactly what happened in Tuesday night’s 106-99 victory over the Toronto Raptors. For the first time in 24 games, LeBron was not the leading scorer for the Cavaliers as Flip Murray put down 24. Although LeBron finished with 12 rebounds and 8 assists, he struggled from the field, shooting 5 of 17.

“When he has an off night like that, he has to have confidence that we can pick him up,” said Murray, who has given the Cavs a spark since arriving in a Feb. 23 trade with Seattle. “That’s what we did.”

All five Cavalier starters finished in double figures and Eric Snow had a season-high 11 assists as the Cavs won their third straight.

These are the types of games we need to win. In the past, if LeBron didn’t have a great game the Cavaliers usually weren’t going to come out winners. It was great to see the rest of the team step up for a change and we are going to need a strong team effort every game, especially when it comes playoff time.

The Cavaliers beat the Chicago Bulls 92-71 Sunday night, completing a four game season sweep. They blew the game open to start the fourth quarter, scoring 11 straight points to put the Bulls away. LeBron James carried the Cavaliers, scoring 27 of his 37 points in the second half. Anderson Varejao provided the spark and energy off the bench, grabbing 13 rebounds.

The Cavs are starting another winning streak, but forgive me if I don’t get too excited. After all, it was the Bulls both games. However, it is important that the Cavaliers take care of business and beat up on the sub .500 teams in order to maintain their position in the four spot. And on another note, where in the world is Sasha Pavlovic? Our bench has been struggling the last couple of weeks and Sasha could give us a lift in that department but he’s not getting any consistent minutes.

When the word “clutch” comes to mind, nobody on the Cavaliers has fit that description the last five games. Until Thursday night. With less than four seconds remaining, the newly acquired Ronald “Flip” Murray drained a three-pointer to send the Cavs to victory, beating the Chicago Bulls, 92-91.

“My man came off me to slide over on LeBron,” Murray said. “He left me wide open.”

The Cavaliers held a 25 point lead but let the Bulls tie it up late in the fourth quarter. Flip, who finished with 13 points, hit the biggest shot of the game to snap the Cavaliers’ five game losing streak. LeBron James scored 33 points for the Cavs and was two assists shy of a triple double.

This game never should have come down to the final seconds but a win is a win. The Cavaliers desperately needed this, as we all know. Maybe a last second victory is just what this club needs to get them jump started.

It’s starting to get a little ugly now. The Cavaliers got beat again Wednesday night, this time to the Sacramento Kings, 97-90. The defeat extends their losing streak to five, including their third straight at home. Cleveland started slowly but jumped out to a 14 point lead early in the second quarter. However, with the help of some good shooting by the Kings and defensive lapses by the Cavs, Sacramento put up 35 points in the third quarter. And as has been the case for the last several games, the Cavaliers struggled to take charge and execute in the fourth quarter. Sacramento, using only a seven man rotation, had all players in double figures. For the Cavaliers, James, Ilgauskas, and Murray all scored 19.

Getting beat by Detroit twice was tough to take, but let’s face it, they are the best team in the East. But tonight’s loss, frankly, was unacceptable especially considering the Cavaliers’ large lead early on. In a game we needed in the worst way, we struggled again down the stretch against a team who is 11 games under .500 on the road. The team knows about last year’s collapse and they definitely are pressing.

“Right now, it’s all, ‘Here we go again,'” Cavaliers forward Donyell Marshall said. “Obviously, with the talk of last year, we try not to let that affect us, but I think it’s affecting us right now.”

The Cleveland Cavaliers have lost four straight games. This team is tired and seems to be searching for answers. LeBron James, on the other hand, puts in a total effort game after game. I was amazed and embarrassed as I listened the Cleveland fans boo LeBron as he missed four straight free throws.

I really believe Cleveland fans should educate themselves on why the Cavs are losing. I won’t buy into the injury theory. I have concluded that coaching and hustle are the top two reasons for the current skid. LeBron James doesn’t fall under either one of these categories. Michael Jordon, Kobe Bryant and Larry Bird wouldn’t have been champions without a strong supporting cast.

It’s absolutely Mike Brown’s responsibility to bring the best out in this team and develop cohesiveness between his players. The Cavaliers, on offense, stand around and watch LeBron perform. They should just buy a ticket and watch the game next to me. It falls squarely on Coach Brown’s shoulders to make this offense flow.

Also, this team has high paid veteran players that should know how to win. The Detroit Pistons, who already have a championship ring, still showed more desire to win than the underachieving Cavaliers squad. So, Cleveland fans, before you boo LeBron James again, please remember this guy has heart, desire and hustle. He just can’t carry the whole team on his back. I think LeBron James is the only bright spot on this team and we better appreciate his talents before we lose them.