ducks
04-08-2005, 01:34 PM
Cleveland (38-36) at Philadelphia (37-37)
Preview - Box Score - Recap
Game Info: 7:00 pm EDT Fri Apr 8, 2005
TV: WUAB, CSNt Add to Calendar
Buy Tickets
A few weeks ago, the Cleveland Cavaliers appeared to be a lock for their first playoff berth in seven years. One coach and nine losses in 13 games later, that's no longer the case.
The struggling Cavaliers hope to avoid dropping into a tie for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference when they visit the Philadelphia 76ers.
While this is a terrible time for the Cavaliers to be slumping, more disturbing is the manner in which they are losing. Cleveland has lost four of five, with the last three defeats coming by 19 points or more.
For the second straight game, the Cavaliers put up little resistance in a 98-77 loss at Indiana on Wednesday.
The game was never close after the Pacers held the Cavs to 10 second-quarter points. LeBron James scored 20 points for Cleveland, which shot 3-of-22 in the second quarter, and 36 percent (30-or-83) overall.
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A loss Friday would drop the Cavaliers into a tie with Philadelphia for eighth place in the East, with both New Jersey and Orlando close behind as they chase one of the East's eight playoff spots.
James said frustration is mounting for the Cavs, who fired coach Paul Silas on March 21. The team had lost three straight when Silas was ousted, and has gone 4-6 under interim coach Brendan Malone.
``We've lost our coach, we've gotten new ownership, and then we stopped playing our No. 1 point guard for no reason,'' James said. ``I'd say that messed up our chemistry.''
Jeff McInnis started Wednesday, scoring 10 points in 31 minutes. He had not played in Cleveland's previous two games.
Making matters worse for James' team is the absence of center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who dislocated his right ring finger in a loss to New Jersey on Tuesday. Ilgauskas, second on the team with 17.2 points per game, is not expected to play Friday.
``Everyone's going to have to step up,'' Malone said. ``Guys coming off the bench will have to score.''
Philadelphia has rebounded from three straight losses with wins over Boston and Charlotte to move within 3 1/2 games of the Atlantic Division-leading Celtics.
Allen Iverson scored 30 of his 48 points in the first half as the 76ers nearly squandered a 25-point lead before pulling out a 106-103 victory over the visiting Bobcats on Wednesday.
It was the second consecutive game the Sixers let a huge lead slip away. They held a 26-point advantage against Boston on Sunday before holding on for a 97-93 win.
``We would like to just completely put a team away,'' Philadelphia's Kyle Korver said. ``But there's something to be said about us winning both games. They do come back on us, we feel the pressure a little bit, but still we win.''
Philadelphia has little choice but to rely heavily on Iverson with starting forward Chris Webber sidelined by a sprained left shoulder. Webber, who has missed the last three games, could return Friday.
Iverson, the NBA scoring leader (30.6), has gone over 30 points in nine of his last 12 games.
Preview - Box Score - Recap
Game Info: 7:00 pm EDT Fri Apr 8, 2005
TV: WUAB, CSNt Add to Calendar
Buy Tickets
A few weeks ago, the Cleveland Cavaliers appeared to be a lock for their first playoff berth in seven years. One coach and nine losses in 13 games later, that's no longer the case.
The struggling Cavaliers hope to avoid dropping into a tie for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference when they visit the Philadelphia 76ers.
While this is a terrible time for the Cavaliers to be slumping, more disturbing is the manner in which they are losing. Cleveland has lost four of five, with the last three defeats coming by 19 points or more.
For the second straight game, the Cavaliers put up little resistance in a 98-77 loss at Indiana on Wednesday.
The game was never close after the Pacers held the Cavs to 10 second-quarter points. LeBron James scored 20 points for Cleveland, which shot 3-of-22 in the second quarter, and 36 percent (30-or-83) overall.
ADVERTISEMENT
A loss Friday would drop the Cavaliers into a tie with Philadelphia for eighth place in the East, with both New Jersey and Orlando close behind as they chase one of the East's eight playoff spots.
James said frustration is mounting for the Cavs, who fired coach Paul Silas on March 21. The team had lost three straight when Silas was ousted, and has gone 4-6 under interim coach Brendan Malone.
``We've lost our coach, we've gotten new ownership, and then we stopped playing our No. 1 point guard for no reason,'' James said. ``I'd say that messed up our chemistry.''
Jeff McInnis started Wednesday, scoring 10 points in 31 minutes. He had not played in Cleveland's previous two games.
Making matters worse for James' team is the absence of center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who dislocated his right ring finger in a loss to New Jersey on Tuesday. Ilgauskas, second on the team with 17.2 points per game, is not expected to play Friday.
``Everyone's going to have to step up,'' Malone said. ``Guys coming off the bench will have to score.''
Philadelphia has rebounded from three straight losses with wins over Boston and Charlotte to move within 3 1/2 games of the Atlantic Division-leading Celtics.
Allen Iverson scored 30 of his 48 points in the first half as the 76ers nearly squandered a 25-point lead before pulling out a 106-103 victory over the visiting Bobcats on Wednesday.
It was the second consecutive game the Sixers let a huge lead slip away. They held a 26-point advantage against Boston on Sunday before holding on for a 97-93 win.
``We would like to just completely put a team away,'' Philadelphia's Kyle Korver said. ``But there's something to be said about us winning both games. They do come back on us, we feel the pressure a little bit, but still we win.''
Philadelphia has little choice but to rely heavily on Iverson with starting forward Chris Webber sidelined by a sprained left shoulder. Webber, who has missed the last three games, could return Friday.
Iverson, the NBA scoring leader (30.6), has gone over 30 points in nine of his last 12 games.