I must reiterate what I have said all along. In a seven game series, the even numbered games are the most important until the final game. That’s why I’m not jumping off the roof after the Cleveland Cavaliers dropped game three in Orlando, 99-89, last night. It certainly makes Tuesday night’s game another must win contest for the wine and gold.
Once again, LeBron James played well, scoring 41 points, even though his outside shot wasn’t falling. However, he is getting no help from his usual supporting cast, none of whom are consistently making shots from the perimeter. Mo Williams, Delonte West, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas have got to start making outside shots if the Cavs want to win the conference championship. It’s not the Orlando defense that is stopping this trio, they are getting open looks and they aren’t hitting them.
I would like to see all three closer to the basket. Making only five of 26 from behind the arc isn’t getting it done, and Ilgauskas in particular shouldn’t be taking the three pointer if it is not going in. It wouldn’t be a bad thing if Williams and West got a little closer either. All three seem intent on matching the Magic three point shot for three point shot, and that’s not the Cavs game.
Sasha Pavlovic showed why he is such a frustrating player to coach and watch by contributing almost nothing in Game 3. It might be time for Mike Brown to give Daniel Gibson and Wally Szczerbiak some more minutes to see if they can produce some offense off the bench. The only consistent non-starter offensively has been Joe Smith. Someone has to step up.
I really wish the Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy would quit whining about calls, particularly involving LeBron James. It seems foolish to me that someone whose team shot 51 free throws in a game should complain about the referees. James takes a beating, and in watching all season, at times he doesn’t get calls because he is so big. I’m not saying he doesn’t get the benefit of the doubt, but he certainly gets hit frequently.
Sure the Cavs were following Dwight Howard on purpose, but that’s Howard’s fault. If he were a better free throw shooter, that tactic would be rendered useless.
The Cleveland Cavaliers need to play their best game of the series on Tuesday night in Game 4. A win evens the series and give the home court advantage back to the Cavs. There is no doubt it is the most important game of the season to this point.
JK
Cleveland Sports Perspective 