The Cleveland Cavaliers won their fifth straight game yesterday, defeating the Phoenix Suns 113-106 at the Q thanks in part to another incredible performance by LeBron James. The sequence of events in the middle of the fourth quarter when James blocked Leandro Barbosa’s shot from behind, took the outlet pass from Donyell Marshall, and went down to the offensive end for a dunk will show up on the season end highlight reel. It was unbelievable to watch.
The Cavs have now followed up a six game losing streak with the current five game skein. In fact, there entire season has been akin to riding the Blue Streak at Cedar Point.
Following a 1-2 start to the season, the wine and gold ripped off eight straight triumphs to raise their record to 9-2. All but one of those wins was by more than eight points. They were dominating their opponents. The team followed up on that streak by losing seven of their next nine. Five of those contests were on the road, but there were home losses to Minnesota and New Jersey that good teams cannot afford.
That stretch was followed by a winning string of eight wins in nine games, highlighted by a win over Detroit on New Year’s Eve. After splitting the next two games, the Cavs lost at home to the dreadful Knicks and then went out west to lose the first five games of a six game trip. James’ 51 point effort against Utah started the current five game winning streak.
This is typical of teams that are just put together, and still have a lot of young players. Yes, I realize the team has veterans Eric Snow, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, and Donyell Marshall, but the rest of the core is younger players. They haven’t learned how to win games where things aren’t going well. That leads to long losing streaks.
Cleveland does have a little easier schedule the rest of the way. They have already made both West Coast trips. They have only played Toronto once, and haven’t played Charlotte at all. Also, Larry Hughes will be back after the All Star game with fresh legs. At 25-17, the wine and gold still has the third best record in the Eastern Conference, and if the season ended today, they would have home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
The streaks will lessen as the season continues. Barring an injury to LBJ, get ready for some playoff basketball at the Q come late April.
JK
Cleveland Sports Perspective 