ducks
11-05-2004, 10:09 AM
Cavs still seeking season's first win
By Brian Windhorst, Beacon Journal staff writer
MIAMI - With two percent of the precincts reporting, the early returns on the Cavaliers are mixed.
With a massive crowd at AmericanAirlines Arena and a national television audience gleaming for Shaquille O'Neal's South Beach debut a night after the Cavaliers lost a double-overtime heartbreaker 1,000 miles to the north, the cards weren't in their favor.
ADVERTISEMENT
Yet, as in Wednesday's loss to the Indiana Pacers, the Cavaliers walked away from the 92-86 loss upset at their deficiencies instead of marveling at their opponent.
O'Neal was big and ever present as usual, but he didn't decide it. Dwyane Wade tried his best to restate his case as being the cream of the 2003 crop against LeBron James.
O'Neal had 17 points and nine rebounds in 32 minutes, hardly his "Diesel" self. Wade had an impressive 28 points, most of them off fearless drives to the basket. Certainly he was a difference-maker, but it wasn't an insurmountable performance.
Rather, the Cavaliers (0-2) again were left to talk about near misses, what ifs, and "maybe next times." A fresh reminder that they still are far from a complete product. There were some shining things to point to -- like Drew Gooden's 24 points and 11 rebounds, reduced turnovers and some better transition defense -- but not a victory.
"We played as well as we could play under the circumstances," Cavaliers coach Paul Silas said. "There's no excuses, but we competed and I saw some good things tonight."
Indeed, the schedule makers gave the Cavaliers no break starting with back-to-back games against the best regular-season team in the NBA last season, followed by Shaqfest. But the Cavaliers know if they want to reach their ultimate goal of making the playoffs, such issues can't matter.
Like in the loss to Indiana, where a misspent possession here and there cost victory, the Cavaliers just simply weren't sharp enough to pull it out.
Two second-half stretches defined it perfectly.
After working hard at both ends, the Cavaliers battled back from an eight-point deficit to 61-60 just as O'Neal exited the floor in the third quarter.
But in their next five possessions, the Cavaliers took three ill-advised jumpers and turned it over twice. When Shaq returned, the Heat had built their lead back to 70-62.
After cutting it to 75-71 early in the fourth quarter with aggressive drives to the basket, the Cavaliers settled for jumpers on four consecutive possessions and missed them all. Three minutes later, the Heat had an 11-point lead.
For the battle-weary Cavaliers, it was way too much to overcome. They made just two of their first 13 shots in the fourth quarter, and it was curtains.
"I think we need some more poise," said Gooden, who rebounded after a miserable four-point, six-rebound effort in the opener. "Every time Miami came down at the end they were poised and we were on our heels."
James made five of his first six shots, but was hassled by Heat defenders Eddie Jones and Rasual Butler. His drives weren't as effective as usual, and he simply didn't draw fouls, getting to the line only once. He had 21 points with eight assists and six rebounds, but wore down in 43 minutes a night after putting in 50.
After putting up 35 points in 47 minutes the night before, it caught up with Zydrunas Ilgauskas against O'Neal's massive frame. He managed just eight points in 30 minutes.
Jeff McInnis was better at the point, scoring 14 points with five assists and two steals. But fellow backcourt starter Lucious Harris played a phantom 18 minutes, scoring no points. He's now 1-of-8 for two points in his first two games.
The Cavaliers might've also lost Scott Williams for a short time after he dislocated his right pinky in the first quarter. He said after the game he was hopeful he could play Saturday in Milwaukee.
Messages for Brian Windhorst can be left at 330-996-3819 or [email protected]
By Brian Windhorst, Beacon Journal staff writer
MIAMI - With two percent of the precincts reporting, the early returns on the Cavaliers are mixed.
With a massive crowd at AmericanAirlines Arena and a national television audience gleaming for Shaquille O'Neal's South Beach debut a night after the Cavaliers lost a double-overtime heartbreaker 1,000 miles to the north, the cards weren't in their favor.
ADVERTISEMENT
Yet, as in Wednesday's loss to the Indiana Pacers, the Cavaliers walked away from the 92-86 loss upset at their deficiencies instead of marveling at their opponent.
O'Neal was big and ever present as usual, but he didn't decide it. Dwyane Wade tried his best to restate his case as being the cream of the 2003 crop against LeBron James.
O'Neal had 17 points and nine rebounds in 32 minutes, hardly his "Diesel" self. Wade had an impressive 28 points, most of them off fearless drives to the basket. Certainly he was a difference-maker, but it wasn't an insurmountable performance.
Rather, the Cavaliers (0-2) again were left to talk about near misses, what ifs, and "maybe next times." A fresh reminder that they still are far from a complete product. There were some shining things to point to -- like Drew Gooden's 24 points and 11 rebounds, reduced turnovers and some better transition defense -- but not a victory.
"We played as well as we could play under the circumstances," Cavaliers coach Paul Silas said. "There's no excuses, but we competed and I saw some good things tonight."
Indeed, the schedule makers gave the Cavaliers no break starting with back-to-back games against the best regular-season team in the NBA last season, followed by Shaqfest. But the Cavaliers know if they want to reach their ultimate goal of making the playoffs, such issues can't matter.
Like in the loss to Indiana, where a misspent possession here and there cost victory, the Cavaliers just simply weren't sharp enough to pull it out.
Two second-half stretches defined it perfectly.
After working hard at both ends, the Cavaliers battled back from an eight-point deficit to 61-60 just as O'Neal exited the floor in the third quarter.
But in their next five possessions, the Cavaliers took three ill-advised jumpers and turned it over twice. When Shaq returned, the Heat had built their lead back to 70-62.
After cutting it to 75-71 early in the fourth quarter with aggressive drives to the basket, the Cavaliers settled for jumpers on four consecutive possessions and missed them all. Three minutes later, the Heat had an 11-point lead.
For the battle-weary Cavaliers, it was way too much to overcome. They made just two of their first 13 shots in the fourth quarter, and it was curtains.
"I think we need some more poise," said Gooden, who rebounded after a miserable four-point, six-rebound effort in the opener. "Every time Miami came down at the end they were poised and we were on our heels."
James made five of his first six shots, but was hassled by Heat defenders Eddie Jones and Rasual Butler. His drives weren't as effective as usual, and he simply didn't draw fouls, getting to the line only once. He had 21 points with eight assists and six rebounds, but wore down in 43 minutes a night after putting in 50.
After putting up 35 points in 47 minutes the night before, it caught up with Zydrunas Ilgauskas against O'Neal's massive frame. He managed just eight points in 30 minutes.
Jeff McInnis was better at the point, scoring 14 points with five assists and two steals. But fellow backcourt starter Lucious Harris played a phantom 18 minutes, scoring no points. He's now 1-of-8 for two points in his first two games.
The Cavaliers might've also lost Scott Williams for a short time after he dislocated his right pinky in the first quarter. He said after the game he was hopeful he could play Saturday in Milwaukee.
Messages for Brian Windhorst can be left at 330-996-3819 or [email protected]