Cleveland @ Milwaukee

[LyXo]

GAME #32​

Cleveland Cavaliers (19-12) @ Milwaukee Bucks (16-16)​

Friday, January 5, 2007
8:30pm ET
TV: FSNO (HD), NBALP
Radio : WTAM 1100

Head Coaches

Mike Brown / Terry Stotts

Probable Starters

Eric Snow / Mo Williams

Larry Hughes / Michael Redd

LeBron James / Charlie Bell

Drew Gooden / Brian Skinner

Zydrunas Ilgauskas / Andrew Bogut

Cavaliers Bench

Jones / Marshall / Pavlovic / Varejao / Wesley / Gibson


Bucks Bench

Gadzuric / Patterson / Blake / Villanueva / Ilyasova / Noel​

-- # -- N O T E S -- # --

* The Cavaliers are gathering some steam after winning our past two, one at home against the powerhouse Spurs, and the next an impressive back-to-back road win against a crippled Celtics team. After a day's rest, they travel to Milwaukee to continue their win streak (against the Bucks as well), and to start a road streak.

* Last meeting, the Cavaliers had a convincing win over the Bucks at home... we started out strong, withstood a formidable run in the 3rd quarter, and closed out the fourth to take it. Like Cleveland, Milwaukee is a great home team, winners of 7 straight at the Bradley Center.

-: lyXo's Keys to the Game :-

* Maurice Williams and Michael Redd are having career seasons. They're leading their team out of a slow start and are trying to surface .500. Our defensive backcourt needs to flex their muscle and show why we're one of the elite defenses in the Eastern Conference. If we stop them, then the Bucks are naught.

* I say it every time... get the ball to Z. He's a Top 5 center for a reason... nobody can stop him. He's been on a roll for the past month, and I don't see the Z train taking any pit stops. The likes of rookie Andrew Bogut and lackluster Brian Skinner stand no chance against the Lithuanian giant.

* While all their focus will be on LeBron and Z, Gooden must show up from the shadows to stick it to the Bucks once again. Drew must be instrumental in the game for us to be successful.

* The Bucks run a zone defense... meaning that our outside shooting must be on point. We must not chuck, but break down the defense and force them to adjust. Damon Jones and Donyell Marshall, we're calling your names.

In a final note, the best way to beat this team is to stop their offense, grind it out in a half court game, and force them into playing this way. We must prove to be dominant against a one-dimensional team that lacks any sort of depth. As long as we can keep our focus, I see us taking this game in a gritty battle.

Cavaliers win, 96-91

 

[chiefwahoo]

I hate the Bucks and their offensive efficiency. :chuckles:

 

[Karma]

Big challenge tonight. It will be tough to force Redd into another poor shooting night, although Snow will give it another shot. We must just continue to pound the ball inside which generally takes the heat of LeBron and he seems to grow throughout the game. We missed Varejao last game against the Bucks so we will lookto him to match Pattersons energy from the bench.

I'm awaiting one of those breakout night from Drew. Against the weak front court of Milwaukee it could come very soon.

 

[PIP]

My goodness.... That team is seriously packing a lot more talent on that roster than our team..

 

[cavincali]

My goodness.... That team is seriously packing a lot more talent on that roster than our team..

Yeah, how could we ever beat this team. They must be undefeated, right.


Hey Bucks, could you please beat us for a change.

 

[TheAdmin]

Some Additional Game Notes:​

→ The Cavaliers have won four straight games against Milwaukee and will look to post five straight wins against the Bucks for the first time since the team won 10 in a row in the series from Apri l2, 1994 – Feb. 29, 1996.

→ In 12 career games against the Bucks, LeBron James has averaged 30.8 points per game which is his second-highest average against any opponent in his career (Phoenix is first at 31.5 points per game).

→ Over his last eight games, Zydrunas Ilgauskas has averaged 16.1 points on .505 shooting and 9.6 rebounds in 32.8 minutes per game. On Wednesday at Boston, he set season highs in points (27), field goals made (12) and minutes (43) while adding 11 rebounds for his eighth double-double of the season.

→ Cleveland has won five of its last six games dating back to Dec. 23. During that stretch, the Cavaliers have the most wins of any Eastern Conference team and also lead the NBA in three-point percentage at .434 (36-83).

→ Larry Hughes has averaged 16.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.7 steals including .412 (14-34) shooting from three-point range over the last 11 games. He has scored indouble figures in 10 of those 11 games.

→ Cleveland has won four straight games against Milwaukee, which is tied for their second longest current winning streak against any opponent (also four straight wins
against Utah).

Connections​

→ Bucks’ All-Star guard Michael Redd was born in Columbus, Ohio and played for Ohio State University for three years (1997-2000)…

→ Cavalier’s guard Eric Snow was originally drafted by the Bucks in the 2nd round (43rd overall) of the 1995 NBA Draft…

→ LeBron James connected on a career-high seven three pointers against the Buck son 4/9/05…

→ Drew Gooden scored a career-high 33 points against the Bucks on 1/30/05.

 

[The George]

need to play good offense in this game which comes pretty easy since the Bucks dont know how to stop anybody

Mike Redd was stopped last game we played so I am sure he will go for 30 tonight at his home

LeBron Zydrunas Larry and Drew should all have big offensive nights cause well the Bucks cant stop them

Mo Williams really impressed me last game...I had no idea he improved this much

all in all this game will be tough

we can win if we come to play...Cavs 109 to 105

 

[Karma]

My goodness.... That team is seriously packing a lot more talent on that roster than our team..

We'll have to be offensively very efficient to match this team.

Look for Rimage off the bench to provide thread intergity that is so vital.

 

[Karma]

Bobby Simmons is the only player reportedly out due to injury for this game. No word on Donyell Marshall. Any word out there on Hot Donny?

 

[Maximus]

He's playing.

 

[Karma]

Thanks Max.

Its very good for this ball club to be healthy with the Western trip fast approaching.

Time to take care of wannabe playoff teams Milwaukee and New Jersey.

 

[PIP]

He's playing.

Oh thank goodness....

 

[KingJamesMVP]

"Hot Buttered Donald" (PIPism) is ready to stop worring about his appearance for a couple of hours, and is going to tough it out and play this game..Whatta freaking stud.....

 

[chiefwahoo]

Donyell's gonna have a big game just to get back at you guys... or not.

 

[Karma]

Personally I am tired of Patterson getting what he wants against us. Maybe we send Ira Newble out there and he brings out his spinning heel kick ala vs Dunleavy.