Cavs-Lakers Game Blog

Game Recap
- The Cavs got just flat out abused on the glass in the second half. That was a piss poor effort by the Cavs at blocking out Lamar Odom.
- The Cavs offense bogged down in the second half. LeBron held the ball way too long looking to try and make plays. Also, LeBron didn't finish in the lane as well as he usually does.
- I feel like the Cavs were hot in the first half and fell in love with their jumpers in the second half. If they are to beat LA in the finals, they need to not have such a disparity in points in the paint.
- Not having Delonte West hurt the Cavs in that they could not slide LeBron over to cover Lamar Odom. LeBron had to stick on Kobe and the other Cavs were getting abused by Odom.

Second Quarter
- Varejao's activity has been key. He has absolutely controlled the defensive boards.
- Daniel Gibson's jump shot looks off. His balance with his legs and feet looks like it is different than last year.
- The Cavs were +2 with LeBron on the bench. The Lakers bench is generally regarded as the best in the league and the Cavs won that battle in this quarter.
- Good thing there are not 1-and-1's in the NBA. Lamar Odom misses the first free throw more often than any other player I have ever seen.

First Quarter
- Pau Gasol can pretty much get whatever shot he wants. Cleveland is playing him straight up in the post and not bringing a double.
- LeBron has not forced too much so far and is letting the game come to him. He is getting his teammates involved but look for him to attack more the second half of quarter number 2.
- Having Z to stretch the floor is huge. He will get at least 15 shots today with how the Lakers play defense.

Pregame
- The roles have reversed since the last time these two teams met in LA. The Cavs were woefully undersized inside without Z and Andrew Bynum was healthy for the Lakers. Bynum was able to overwhelm Varejao and Wallace with his sheer size. Pau Gasol is a much better defensive matchup for Varejao.
- The Cavs will be able to successfully use their small lineup today (LeBron playing some 4) as LeBron is able to handle Lamar Odom defensively.
- Not having Delonte West really hurts against the Lakers. He is the Cavs best perimeter defender and would guard Kobe til crunch time when LeBron will take over that duty.
- The under/over for times Kobe and LeBron's MSG performances will be mentioned on ABC's telecast is set at +/- 387.
- In the story line everyone is following, Shannon Brown makes his vengeful return to Cleveland.

Prediction: It will be a tight game thoughout the first three quarters. Being at home, Cleveland and LeBron will get favorable calls down the stretch and end up winning by about 10.