Cleveland Vs Dallas Oct 31st

[TheAdmin]

<table width="554" border="1" bordercolor="#000000" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1"><tr><td bgcolor="#ab1111" align="center" colspan="4"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Cleveland Cavaliers Vs. Dallas Mavericks at Quicken Loans Arena</b></font></tr></td><tr bgcolor="#eeeeee"><td>Game Date: Oct 31st, 2007</td><td>Time: 8:00 pm</td><td>TV: FSN/ESPN</td><td>Radio: WTAM 1100</td></tr></table><br><br><table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" bordercolor="#ab1111"><tr><td><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1" width="550"><tr><td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#002b60"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Head Coaches</b></font></tr></td><tr><td border="0"><img src="http://cavsinfo.com/gameday/mbrown.jpg" width="100" height="100" border="0" alt="Coach Brown"></td><td width="100%" valign="top" bgcolor="#eeeeee">&nbsp;<b>Mike Brown</b> - There is no getting around that fact that Mike Brown is coaching a team that got worse over the offseason, making it unlikely for him to win again with just rebounding and defense and LeBron. With two fifty win seasons under his belt Mike Brown is the first head coach in recent Cavalier memory not to start out the season on the hot seat.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" bgcolor="#000000" height="1"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#002b60"><tr><td border="0"><img src="http://cavsinfo.com/gameday/ajohnson.jpg" width="100" height="100" border="0" alt="Coach Johnson"></td><td width="100%" valign="top" bgcolor="#eeeeee">&nbsp;<b>Avery Johnson</b> - Can Avery help his team, especially his MVP, get over their two straight heartbreaking postseason disappointments and focus on running yet another marathon? If Johnson can do that, the Mavs might see an open window for a title.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" bgcolor="#dddddd" width="100%"><br>With far less talent as his disposal Mike Brown has arguably done more in his coaching tenure then the more talked about "Little General".&nbsp; <b>Advantage: Cleveland</b></tr></td></table></td></tr></table><br><table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" bordercolor="#ab1111"><tr><td><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1" width="550"><tr><td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#002b60"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Point Guards</b></font></tr></td><tr><td border="0"><img src="http://cavsinfo.com/gameday/dgibson.jpg" width="100" height="100" border="0" alt="Boobie Gibson"></td><td width="100%" valign="top" bgcolor="#eeeeee">&nbsp;<b>Daniel Gibson</b> - Gibson isn't a natural point guard by any stretch, but on this team that isn't a problem -- LeBron James and Larry Hughes do most of the ballhandling anyway. However, he'll have to cut down on the turnovers (a common rookie problem) in coming seasons. Was Boobie's playoffs coming-out party work of fact or fiction? </td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" bgcolor="#000000" height="1"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#002b60"><tr><td border="0"><img src="http://cavsinfo.com/gameday/dharris.jpg" width="100" height="100" border="0" alt="Devin Harris"></td><td width="100%" valign="top" bgcolor="#eeeeee">&nbsp;<b>Devin Harris</b> - Averaged more than 10 points and 3 assists a game. He has been given the full-time starting point guard spot, and he will need to develop more confidence running the offense and distributing the ball. Defensively Harris is one of the best in the league.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" bgcolor="#dddddd" width="100%"><br>Boobie has yet to prove his is a starting caliber point guard. &nbsp; <b>Advantage: Dallas</b></tr></td></table></td></tr></table><br><table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" bordercolor="#ab1111"><tr><td><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1" width="550"><tr><td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#002b60"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Shooting Guards</b></font></tr></td><tr><td border="0"><img src="http://cavsinfo.com/gameday/lhughes.jpg" width="100" height="100" border="0" alt="Larry Hughes"></td><td width="100%" valign="top" bgcolor="#eeeeee">&nbsp;<b>Larry Hughes</b> - The Cavaliers need Larry Hughes. Not the broken down player we have seen the past two years but the slashing, playmaking dynamo last seen playing for Washington. Finally healthy and reportedly working on his suspect jumper Hughes has to have a better year for the Cavaliers to have any chance of duplicating last years results.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" bgcolor="#000000" height="1"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#002b60"><tr><td border="0"><img src="http://cavsinfo.com/gameday/ejones.jpg" width="100" height="100" border="0" alt="Jason Terry"></td><td width="100%" valign="top" bgcolor="#eeeeee">&nbsp;<b>Eddie Jones</b> - The Mavericks have relegated Jason Terry to 6th man status, meaning Eddie Jones will get the start. He can still shoot and defend in short spurts.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" bgcolor="#dddddd" width="100%"><br>Great matchup for Hughes. He should be able to get to any spot on the court he wants. &nbsp; <b>Advantage: Cleveland</b></tr></td></table></td></tr></table><br><table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" bordercolor="#ab1111"><tr><td><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1" width="550"><tr><td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#002b60"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Small Foward</b></font></tr></td><tr><td border="0"><img src="http://cavsinfo.com/gameday/ljames.jpg" width="100" height="100" border="0" alt="Lebron James"></td><td widh="100%" valign="top" bgcolor="#eeeeee">&nbsp;<b>Lebron James</b> - LBJ had a lot of incentive to better his game in the off season. After shooting just 35.6 percent during the Spurs' sweep, James quickly headed back to the gym. The result? He arrived at training camp in the best shape of his career and armed with a jump shot that appears steadier than ever.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" bgcolor="#000000" height="1"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#002b60"><tr><td border="0"><img src="http://cavsinfo.com/gameday/jstackhouse.jpg" width="100" height="100" border="0" alt="Jerry Stackhouse"></td><td width="100%" valign="top" bgcolor="#eeeeee">&nbsp;<b>Jerry Stackhouse</b> - Due to Josh Howard's suspension Stackhouse moves from the starting shooting guard to the starting small foward for this game. At 34 years old he's not the same player he once was but he still can put the ball through the hoop. The jury is still out on whether or not he can handle starting at his advanced age.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" bgcolor="#dddddd" width="100%"><br>Lebron James spent countless hours working on post moves in the summer. This is the perfect matchup for him to show them off. &nbsp; <b>Advantage: Cleveland</b></tr></td></table></td></tr></table><br><table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" bordercolor="#ab1111"><tr><td><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1" width="550"><tr><td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#002b60"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Power Foward</b></font></tr></td><tr><td border="0"><img src="http://cavsinfo.com/gameday/dgooden.jpg" width="100" height="100" border="0" alt="Drew Gooden"></td><td widh="100%" valign="top" bgcolor="#eeeeee">&nbsp;<b>Drew Gooden</b> - I have to butcher a movie quote to explain Drew... "Gooden is like a box of chocolates. You never know what your going to get". With Andy head firmly entrenched up his own ass, The Cavaliers need Gooden to play the best ball of his career. If he loses focus there just isn't anyone on the roster that can pick up the slack.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" bgcolor="#000000" height="1"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#002b60"><tr><td border="0"><img src="http://cavsinfo.com/gameday/dnowitski.jpg" width="100" height="100" border="0" alt="Dirk Nowitski"></td><td width="100%" valign="top" bgcolor="#eeeeee">&nbsp;<b>Dirk Nowitski</b> - Dirk has earned the right to prove the first-round disaster last season was a fluke. With conversations about a Kobe Bryant trade resonating throughout the league, it's another distraction that can derail Dirk's championship dream.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" bgcolor="#dddddd" width="100%"><br>Even if Drew plays the game of his life it won't be enough to win this matchup. &nbsp; <b>Advantage: Dallas</b></tr></td></table></td></tr></table><br><table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" bordercolor="#ab1111"><tr><td><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1" width="550"><tr><td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#002b60"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Center</b></font></tr></td><tr><td border="0"><img src="http://cavsinfo.com/gameday/zilguaskas.jpg" width="100" height="100" border="0" alt="Drew Gooden"></td><td widh="100%" valign="top" bgcolor="#eeeeee">&nbsp;<b>Zydruans Ilguaskas</b> - Even at his advanced age he is still one of the best pure centers in the game. He's been one of the healthiest big men in the league the past few years and the Cavs need him to stay that way. I cringe thinking about Dwayne Jones starting.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" bgcolor="#000000" height="1"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#002b60"><tr><td border="0"><img src="http://cavsinfo.com/gameday/ddiop.jpg" width="100" height="100" border="0" alt="DeSagana Diop"></td><td width="100%" valign="top" bgcolor="#eeeeee">&nbsp;<b>DeSagana Diop</b> - He can block shots. Anything else he gives you is gravy. This is by far the weakest position on the Mavericks team.</td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" bgcolor="#dddddd" width="100%"><br>For the love of god please exploit this matchup. Z should get the ball early and often. &nbsp; <b>Advantage: Cleveland</b></tr></td></table></td></tr></table>

*Mavericks Starters Subject To Change

 

[TheAdmin]

Quick Facts​

· The Cavaliers will look for their third consecutive opening night win when they host the Mavericks on Halloween night. In 2005-06, Cleveland defeated the New Orleans Hornets 109-87 and last season, the Cavaliers topped the Wizards 97-94. Cleveland has won three consecutive season openers once in team history (1986-87-1988-89).

· The Cavaliers and Mavericks are two of just five teams in the NBA (Detroit, Phoenix and San Antonio are the others) that have won at least 50 games in each of the past two seasons.

· In eight career games against the Mavericks, LeBron James has averaged 31.5 points per game – his second highest scoring average against any team in the NBA(Phoenix is first at 31.6 points per game).

· Tonight’s game will mark Zydrunas Ilgauskas’ eighth opening game start in his career with Cleveland. With his start tonight, he will become the first player in team history to start at least eight opening night games.

 

[cescott]

Great preview and if you just look at the starters, you have to like our chances tomorrow night.

However, just having a couple decent bench players might give the Mavs an advantage. Hopefully, Howard's suspension nullifies that somewhat and we come out with some fire tomorrow night.

GO CAVS!

 

[crazedcav333]

If Boobie shoots the ball, Hughes stays healthy, and we actually move without the ball on offense, we'll be fine until our bigs need backups.

And stop with the complaining everyone, yeah we got worse but right now this is the 2007 Cleveland Cavaliers.

 

[Cleveland56]

I have a terrible feeling about this game...Not sure why. I think they lose by 15+.

Great preview BTW.

 

[Karma]

I'm sure we can stick in this game with the excitemant of the banner being presented and the whole first game at home thing. Sasha signing will be a confidense boost for the organisation, so their will be a good vibe. Early games bring surprise results, so hard to predict.

I think Devin Harris will be our thorn ala Parker, and the Mavs may sneak away with this one.

 

[TheAdmin]

Dallas waived Mbenga that means Diop is the only center on the Mavericks roster with Dampier out with a bad shoulder. This really helps the Cavs.

 

[Maximus]

-Must hit free throws, we should get plenty of opportunities.
-Devin Brown and Damon need to step up with Sasha not back yet.
-As Ben said, go to Z early and often. Get Diop into foul trouble early and exploit it.
-Remember what got us to the finals last year - DEFENSE!
-Most importantly, play with fire and confidence. No one respects what we did last year. The Cavs should be offended and play like they are offended...play a little harder...play a little dirtier. We are the defending ECF champions until someone takes it away from us. We have to let everyone around the league know that we aren't going to give up our ECF Champions title without a fight every night.

This game is at home. We are raising the banner. Sasha just re-signed. Dampier is out. Josh Howard is out. I expect Lebron to do something special since we are going up against the reigning MVP...this could be a real statement game if he slaps them upside the head with a 45 point victory. This game is very winnable.

 

[chiefwahoo]

You're getting me pumped up for this game Max - maybe you should take over that Ahmad guy's on-court job at the Q.

 

[Maximus]

You're getting me pumped up for this game Max - maybe you should take over that Ahmad guy's on-court job at the Q.

Ferry has asked me on more than one occasion to do just that. The negotiations always break down when they tell me I can't drink during games.

They did give me an early b-day present of some sweet comped floor seats tonight.

 

[chiefwahoo]

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[ChicagoCavFan]

Congrats on the seats Max.

My brother, his wife and I saw in the floor seats against the Nets in the playoffs last year - the one where Sasha blocked Kidd from behind. We were across from the Nets bench. Anyways, I didn't really care for the angle - I would have preferred to be up maybe 10 rows at least. Plus, we were in the 4th row. The first row might have been different.

We got them by trading our tickets we had plus cash for these seats with a street broker.

 

[B Mac]

Max you need a date for tonights game? I'll even wear a dress if you want me to....

 

[_amon _ones]

Max you need a date for tonights game? I'll even wear a dress if you want me to....

Ummmm...:uhh:

Looks like B Mac is ready for the game:

 

[crazedcav333]

Now that it's game day it finally feels like basketball season again. I can't wait to get that first look inside the Q tonight, place will be rockin'.