Cleveland Cavaliers v. New Jersey Nets: Game Two - First Half
Posted May 8th, 2007 by George Thomas
Sorry but it kinda took me a sec to get to my seat.
Cavaliers once again look to be settling for jump shots to start. That's great if they hit them but should they hit a cold streak….
Initial thoughts: the Cavs are into it. The crowd is seriously into it on each and every possession. Sasha Pavlovic has hit two of his first three, a good sign. He wants to keep that hot hand that he found in Game 1. The Cavs are once again playing aggressive defense. Early on it looks as if the Nets want to try to push this game more and dictate tone.
Nets up 14-9 early. Last thing the Cavs and Mike Brown want is to see Jason Kidd, Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter get untracked.
How do you know it's playoff time? When players actually dive for every ball as if it were a vital possession.
Kidd pops a three to put the Nets up by that many. The LAST thing you wanna see is that guy unable to unleash his full game. Remember in the Nets series against the Raptors he averaged a triple double.
Bostjan Nachbar comes in. The guy popped a few from the outside in the first game and looked to be the only Nets player in any sort of rhythm.
Hughes gets a good look on a three, but it doesn't fall. On the Cavs next possession LBJ actually drivves to the hoop for a lay-up. They need to do more of that and look for Zydrunas Ilgauska more in the paint and closer to the hoop.
The New York-New Jersey media grumbled about Nets Coach Lawrence Frank giving his team Monday off. In this first quarter that move paid dividends. They're less lethargic and own a four point lead after the first quarter by a score of 28-24.
Cavaliers lose the shooting battle in the first quarter 61.1 percent to 55.6 percent. Both teams shooting at a blistering clip.
Every possession, every play. Boobie Gibson's steal and subsequent assist to Anderson Varejao who slams sends the crowd into spasms.
For now Vince Carter only has three points as the score stands at 35 all. The Cavs continue to send a neverending stream of bodies in his direction, the last time forcing a turnover.
39-35 Cavs up. They go up after some serious rebounding and Drew Gooden already has five of them.
Cavs up 43-42 and it looks as if Pavlovic has his stroke leading all the Cavs in scoring with nine. LBJ assumes a commanding leadership role in taming what could be viewed as some wild action. He calms things down, pops a three. Overall you can see a big difference in the playoff version of the Cavs. Every possession matters and they're palying like it.
OUCH!!! All I can say about that knee injury to LeBron.
