Cavaliers stumble again

[Ed Hollison]

This time in Detroit, and despite a 29-point triple-double from Lebron. James played 39 minutes. The Celtics are now 2 games behind Cleveland for the 1 seed.

Discuss.

[TheSundanceKid]

I think we end up falling short of getting it, but it will be important to push Cleveland as hard as we can. They are weak right now and are unlikely to get the rest they normally do before the playoffs. The number 1 seed is as important to them as it is to us.

Despite the stumbles we've had this year we have been extremely successful when all are healthy. That will be the key leading into the playoffs, don't burn ourselves into the ground, keep this team approach that we have, it will pay off come playoff time

[SHAQATTACK]

We ll be close , but no cigar.

Le Whiner will start playing playoff level ball four quarters instead of two

[rollie mass]

the better we finish the worse the Nets pick-just an added bonus-

[JBcat]

I was trying to find the remaining strength of schedule but couldn't find it.

Anyway it doesn't look that easy for the Cavs in April.  They play us in Boston on April 5th.  That could be a huge game.  They also play the Hawks twice and finish off against The Raptors.

[Ed Hollison]

We ll be close , but no cigar.

Le Whiner will start playing playoff level ball four quarters instead of two

That's the thing. Lebron apparently was unstoppable last night. Played almost 40 minutes! Didn't matter, team still lost.

Some of this will change when JR Smith and Love come back. But keep in mind they've been out for a while now and will be rusty.

Here's another question: With the way Miami is playing of late (winning 19 of their last 23 and knocking on the 7th or 8th seed), could they actually beat the Cavs in the first round? I would fear them in matchup with the Celtics, if they rolled into the playoffs playing like this.

[hpantazo]

We ll be close , but no cigar.

Le Whiner will start playing playoff level ball four quarters instead of two

That's the thing. Lebron apparently was unstoppable last night. Played almost 40 minutes! Didn't matter, team still lost.

Some of this will change when JR Smith and Love come back. But keep in mind they've been out for a while now and will be rusty.

Here's another question: With the way Miami is playing of late (winning 19 of their last 23 and knocking on the 7th or 8th seed), could they actually beat the Cavs in the first round? I would fear them in matchup with the Celtics, if they rolled into the playoffs playing like this.

JR Smith was back last night. Lebron and Kyrie also both played very well.

[Ed Hollison]

JR Smith was back last night.

Oh oops

[Ed Hollison]

Hate to belabor a point, but  Cavs lost at Rockets last night and Lebron played 40 minutes(!). He's tied for 1st in minutes per game this season. Now, I'm expecting him to magically find the fountain of youth again for the playoffs, but still noteworthy if you ask me. Celtics and Wizards both 2 games back for #1.

[Moranis]

The on/off stats for James with the Cavs is incredible this year.  Last night against Houston was one of the few times that James was actually a - in a game. 

Look at the Pistons loss.  James played 39 minutes and was +18.  That means in the 9 minutes he didn't play the Cavs were a -23.  And that isn't an anomaly.  The Cavs just flat out suck when James is not on the floor. 

[manl_lui]

I was trying to find the remaining strength of schedule but couldn't find it.

Anyway it doesn't look that easy for the Cavs in April.  They play us in Boston on April 5th.  That could be a huge game.  They also play the Hawks twice and finish off against The Raptors.

if the Cavs continue to slump (which I don't see happening for long), then I would expect that game against us, to be similar to the two games we played Toronto this year, a battle for the 1st seed.

[mef730]

Nope, our quest for first place just took a dagger, as the Cavs sign powerhouse Larry Sanders:

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/18897252/cleveland-cavaliers-larry-sanders-reach-contract-agreement

Mike

[apc]

Nope, our quest for first place just took a dagger, as the Cavs sign powerhouse Larry Sanders:

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/18897252/cleveland-cavaliers-larry-sanders-reach-contract-agreement

Mike

I Know you are being sarcastic , but either way, Sanders is planned to play for D-league fir the rest of regular season 

[Moranis]

Nope, our quest for first place just took a dagger, as the Cavs sign powerhouse Larry Sanders:

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/18897252/cleveland-cavaliers-larry-sanders-reach-contract-agreement

Mike

I Know you are being sarcastic , but either way, Sanders is planned to play for D-league fir the rest of regular season

actually makes a lot of sense.  get him game ready by giving him as many minutes as he can play in games that don't matter at all.

[celticsclay]

I really think there is a chance Lue being a lacky for Lebron may come back to bite the Cavs this year. I believe any other respected coach for a contender (Kerr, Pops, Spoelstra, Stevens etc) would have sat Irving and Lebron last night and also the game 3-4 weeks ago against OKC.). Many national observers (not to mention linemakers) viewed them as no brainer rest spots because of their schedule and travel. Of course Lue played them in both games including 40+ minutes for Lebron and they lost both games anyways. At 32 years old they are really pushing Lebron harder than ever before. I am not even sure why they want the 1 seed so bad. They would still be heavy favorites against Boston even if Boston had home court advantage. I really am not sure what Lue's thought process is.