Game Info
Who: Cleveland Cavaliers (1-2) vs. Charlotte Bobcats (1-1)
When: 7:30 PM (ET)
Where: The Quicken Loans Arena (Cleveland, Ohio)
TV/Radio: FSOHIO HD, WTAM 1100
Lineups
Bobcats: Raymond Felton, Stephen Graham, Gerald Wallace, Boris Diaw, Tyson Chandler
Cavaliers: Mo Williams, Anthony Parker, LeBron James, Anderson Varejao, Shaquille O’Neal
Injuries
Bobcats: Raja Bell (Wrist), Flip Murray (Shin)
Cavaliers: Leon Powe (Knee Surgery)
Game Notes
* Coming into tonight’s game, the Cavaliers have never lost a home game against the Bobcats (9-0) and are riding a six-game overall winning streak against Charlotte. The nine games is the second longest home winning streak to begin a series behind the 14- game home winning streak against the Charlotte Hornets from Dec. 28, 1998 – Nov. 15, 1994.
* This will be the third time the teams have faced each other in the month of October as the Cavaliers swept a home-and-home series against the Bobcats during the preseason. Last season, Cleveland swept the three-game season series with Charlotte by an average margin of 100.3-78.0 and outrebounded the Bobcats by an average of 42.0-33.7.
* While Cleveland was 16-3 (.842) in back-to-back games last season, LeBron James also led the league in scoring in the second game of back-to-back contests, scoring 31.3 ppg (D. Wade – 29.6, K. Bryant – 25.7, P. Pierce – 24.5, C. Paul – 24.1).
* The Cavaliers completed their first road trip of the season tonight with a 104-87 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. The team now holds an eight-game overall winning streak against Minnesota and the last five games played at the Target Center. This overall streak is team’s longest active winning streak and is tied for the team’s longest road streak with Philadelphia.
* LeBron James led the Cavaliers attack with 24 points on 10-18 (.545) shooting, including 2-3 (.667) from the three-point line, to go along with nine rebounds and a game-high six assists in 33 minutes. James made himself at home in Minnesota again as he has the highest scoring average (29.6 ppg) of active players at the Target Center (D. Wade – 29.6, A. Iverson – 28.5, V. Carter – 26.8).
James is averaging 28.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 8.7 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.7 steals in 39.3 minutes this season.
* Against Minnesota, Mo Williams led four other Cavaliers in double figures for the second consecutive game with 20 points, while shooting 3-4 (.750) from the three-point line. He also added a game-high tying six assists without a turnover. Williams is averaging 16.0 points, 2.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 36.7 minutes on the season.
* Anderson Varejao notched his first double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds against the Wolves. Varejao is averaging 8.0 points and 7.3 rebounds in 31.3 minutes on the season.
* Daniel Gibson has put together two strong back-to-back games. On Friday, Gibson added 14 points on 4-8 (.500) shooting three-pointers including draining three three-pointers during a three minute stretch of the fourth quarter. Gibson also shot 4-8 (.500) in three-pointers to add 12 points, three rebounds and three assists against Toronto on Wednesday. For the season, Gibson is averaging 9.3 points to lead the bench while shooting 8-17 (.471) in three-pointers.
* Against Minnesota, Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 11 of his 15 points in the first half to lead the Cavs bench. Ilgauskas shot 7-14 (.500) on the game and added five rebounds in close to 30 minutes of action.
* Shaquille O’Neal chipped in with six points and seven rebounds in 19 minutes on Friday. Through three games, O’Neal is averaging 9.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.3 blocks in 24.3 minutes per game.
* Against the Wolves, the Cavaliers had 24 assists on 40 made baskets and only 11 turnovers.
What 2 Watch 4
1. 2nd Quarter Collapse – This year it seems to be the 2nd Quarter collapse that has plagued the Cavs. So far, through 3 games, the Cavs have been outscored 89-66 in the 2nd Quarter. The Cavs have allowed at least 29 points in each 2nd Quarter this year.
2. Shooting %’s – When the Cavs shoot well, it’s hard to stop them offensively. The Cavs got on track yesterday and we’ll see if it continues onto tonight.
3. Rotations – Mike Brown seemed like he was getting a little bit more comfortable with the rotations last game but they’re still a work in progress. The unit that starts the 2nd Quarter has been bad and the Twin Towers is still being used too much.
The Pick: Cavs 102, Bobcats 86
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