Ballin’: Cavs Have the Best Record in the East
NBA January 8th. 2009, 12:15pm
Houston 89, Boston 85: Worried yet? Six losses in eight games for the defending champs, including this befuddling one at home to the T-Mac-less Rockets, who came in with three straight losses. The unlikely combo of Aaron Brooks and Von Wafer combined for the game-winning basket. That’s gotta hurt. If you’re near the panic button, hit it.
Charlotte 81, Cleveland 111: Thanks to another never-was-close rout (their second win by more than 25 in three games), and the Celtics loss, the Cavaliers now own the best record in the East. If the Cavs secure home court advantage in the postseason, they definitely are going to the Finals. Matter of fact, if they’re able to get it for the Finals … LeBron could take down the Lakers.
Detroit 83, Portland 84: The Pistons’ seven-game win streak is gone after Travis Outlaw’s jumper with less than 10 seconds left gave the Blazers’ a nice triumph to keep pace with first-place Denver, which beat the Heat for their fifth straight victory. Portland now has wins over Boston and Detroit despite not having the services of top scorer Brandon Roy.
LA Lakers 114, Golden State 106: Big men lick their chops at the sight of Nellie’s Warriors – don’t call them Mullin’s; Nellie’s running the show, apparently – and Gasol dominated last night with 33-18. Crawford had 25 for the Warriors, who will have star guard Monta Ellis practicing with them soon.
Orlando 106, Atlanta 102: The Magic nearly wasted a 21-point lead, partially because Dwight Howard returned to his hometown to tally 23-19. But if the Hawks make more than 14-of-25 free throws, and Mike Bibby doesn’t blow a layup late … we’re talking about a great comeback. Redick had 11 points in 19 minutes.
39 Responses to “Ballin’: Cavs Have the Best Record in the East”
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January 8th, 2009 at 12:18 PM
I am really shocked by (insert team) play as of late. I really think if (talking out of ass like I know what I am talking about) they do that,( team from above) will be ok come July during the playoffs.
/Dont know why it didn’t work the first time.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Great road win for the Magic. Atlanta was playing good at home. dwight was a monster as usual. Hedo had 20, Rashard had 20, and Nelson had 15. Redick played well, shocker. ATl had 4 days rest and Orlando played a game the night before.
Where is the Oden watch? lol
January 8th, 2009 at 12:23 PM
go cavs
fuck the celts
January 8th, 2009 at 12:23 PM
A healthy Z, no other major injuries, Mo Williams does not go into a funk, he has had some curious games lately, and the Cavs will win the title.
-Book it, print whatever.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:25 PM
This needs to be revised. As it reads now, Dwight Howard having a monster game is the reason the Magic nearly wasted a 21-point lead.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:26 PM
Is anyone going to be surprised if the Cavs and the Magic are the best two teams in the East at the end of the year? I mean now of course. If anyone had said that at the beginning of the year, it would have blown my mind.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Oden watch : 4 points, 1 rebound, 4 fouls, 13 minutes. once he learns to keep his arms down he will be fine.
/TBL’d
January 8th, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Agreed. In my mind, the Celtics have worn out their welcome. I’m happy those three guys got their title, but when Kevin Garnett started screaming and beating his chest when they were up by 30 against the Clippers in November, I had a problem. Then I got pissed when they got compared to the 1996 Bulls.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:35 PM
Billups, Kleiza, and JR Smith all tallied 21 for the Nuggets. They play Dallas, Phoenix, and Orlando next week. Would be a great time to head to Denver.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:37 PM
while Detroit played without Rip Hamilton and Rasheed Wallace.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:37 PM
they do play LA Lakers the night before in LA so we will see Triston27. No Melo
January 8th, 2009 at 12:43 PM
irish, I fully expect the Magic to beat Denver next Saturday. This is going to be a tough stretch without ‘Melo, but they looked good last night with different people stepping up.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:45 PM
The hawks loss last night was awful to watch. Bibby’s missed layup pretty much summed up the night. They couldn’t seem to do anything right, but Josh Smith with any sort of step to the basket is righteous. Anybody else think the nuggets may actually be a little better without melo? Does he even try to play D?
January 8th, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Many would argue the Pistons are a better team without ‘Sheed and his insane # of T’s this year in the lineup.
The Z injury for the Cavs may actually end up being a blessing as it allows Varejao to get more minutes along with J.J. Hickson. Hickson is tough to watch at times, but he is getting better.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:46 PM
@triston- i like the way you are thinking. They have to play @ San Antonio, @Sacramento, @ LA Lakers, and then @ Denver in 6 days. They do play great on the road. Chauncey kills the Magic all the time. He dominates Nelson by posting him up or beating him off the dribble. It will be a good game
January 8th, 2009 at 12:47 PM
though the Ts don’t help. they are always a better team with him in the lineup.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Beard, they play better when other’s are forced to step up their game. This is a long stretch so I’m not sure how long Kleiza and JR can keep it up. I thing the trade for Petro is good though. Nene and Martin need all the rest they can get.
Irish, I’m worried about Denver having enough inside to slow down Howard. But I wouldn’t be suprised to see Billups really elevate his game during this stretch.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:53 PM
oden had 4 points in something like 14 minutes.
people gave kwame and darko YEARS before adhering the bust label. patience, people.
/takes optimistic hat off
January 8th, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Nothing on the Pacers and Danny G up to the rescue again.
Can we please give the man a post by himself?
Talking to a stranger at the airport yesterday and he asks me
so who do the Pacers have now? I respond Danny Granger and he goes
who. Come on!!!
January 8th, 2009 at 12:55 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sh8zjMSosX8&eurl=http://www.indycornrows.com/&feature=player_embedded
Watch and enjoy.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Darko? he was labeled the human victory cigar his 3rd month in the league. a bust by the middle of the following december.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:58 PM
the human victory cigar
i love that nickname
January 8th, 2009 at 12:58 PM
The Z injury for the Cavs may actually end up being a blessing as it allows Varejao to get more minutes along with J.J. Hickson. Hickson is tough to watch at times, but he is getting better.
January 8th, 2009 at 12:59 PM
TBL- Pandas > SHarks
Dont fuck with GU GU.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28554008/?GT1=43001
January 8th, 2009 at 1:00 PM
Cavs #1 seed for now and forever.
Fuck that asshole KG.
Cavs-C’s on Friday. Look for that fruitcake KG to beat his chest numerous times until the C’s get down 20 in the 3rd.
Fuck KG.
/Fuck KG.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:03 PM
The fact that Granger got that shot off is laughable. In that situation Steve Nash has one simple job, take the guy to goes out towards the top of the key. In that spot, no one is guarding anyone in particular. His D has always been bad, and yes, Granger made a clutch shot. But to get a WIDE OPEN 3 with 0.9 left from the top of the key is a disgrace. That my friends, is your 2-time MVP, Steve Nash
January 8th, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Saturday morning will be fun here at TBL when the Celtics beat Mr. Crab Dribble.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:04 PM
@Nick P, I would have loved for Caulderon to have thrown the ball right at KG’s head when he was doing that clapping shit.
I used to like and respect the guy, but I think that’s because I never really saw him play much. I can’t stand him now and any goodwill I had toward him winning a championship is gone. I wish even more now that they hadn’t won last year.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:05 PM
Doc Rivers is still as bacd a coach as he ever was, the Title last year had little to nothing to do with him. Look at the way Popovich run his teams. Just don’t fall too far behind early in the season, slowly progress, make adjustments and peak at the end. It’s a long season. Boston’s done. Their too old to play at such a hard level for 7+ months.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:06 PM
*they’re
/SG’d
January 8th, 2009 at 1:07 PM
Doc Rivers is still as bacd a coach as he ever was
Ill is still as bad a speller as he ever was.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:07 PM
I’m actually a little pissed that the C’s are playing like sheeeet now. I was relly looking forward to a massively hyped regular season NBA game that included the Cavs.
Now? The Cavs should roll, especially with the way that the Celts have been playing. Cavs aren’t at full strength… They need Z to help open the lane up on offense and to rebound on defense.
I do agree that this is the best time to lose him for a month. It gives Andy more time (And he looks more confident every single night) and it gives Hickson a chance to see if he can help come playoff time (Not buying it…).
My guess is that Wally gets shipped for a serviceable big, asks to be bought out by said team, and comes back to Cleveland a month later just like McDyess did this fall.
/fuck KG
January 8th, 2009 at 1:08 PM
@Alenin: It’s not Steve Nash’s fault that the media incompetently voted him the MVP (which I will believe until the day I die happened because he was white and Kobe ordered room service in Colorado). What was he going to do? Refuse to accept it?
And yeah, his D sucks donkeyballs.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:10 PM
Camby is the only big I can see the Cavs trading for. I’m not sure I even want that to happen.
But we will probably need an AV replacement. He’s going to get a ton of money this offseason (deservedly so).
January 8th, 2009 at 1:11 PM
Ill is still as bad a speller as he ever was.
I’m not a great speller, but I REALLY can’t type.
/fuck off
January 8th, 2009 at 1:12 PM
Nick…while normally id be against signing a guy who’s offensive game lacks so much, but andy is pretty damn important. id love to see the cavs re-up and give him some skrilla…they got it.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:16 PM
@spence: AV is an F’ing beast. I hope other teams don’t realize that. That said, having flexibility in 2010 is more important.
When you look at what stiffs like Monta Ellis, Corey Maggette, and Baron Davis got this past offseason, AV should command a TON of money. Because instead of just jacking jumpers, AV’s actually productive.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:21 PM
@nick p- you need someone to battle with Dwight in the Conference Finals
January 8th, 2009 at 1:30 PM
I think the Cavs will have plenty of cap space in 2010.