While I fight off this Nyquil hangover…

Cavs win 88-80 over the Blazers

• Can you believe Lebron only has 7 triple doubles this year? Didn’t that feel more like his 20th?
• More impressive, he compiled the 11 assists in one of the slowest games of the year, while the team shot 43%. The rest of the team made 22 field goals. Lebron assisted on half of them. And I think he could do the same if we score 120.
• Joe Smith to the rescue, huh? Is it possible that every game Joe plays is a good one? My brain can’t process that sort of consistency.
• Dwayne Jones watch. How will we manage if Wallace is out as long as Z? We were getting killed on the boards early yesterday, as has become routine. Our 2nd half energy made up for it, but Joe Smith’s knees can barely do it for 28 minutes, much less 48.
• Going back to Lebron, he had 4 turnovers by the end of the first. I was hoping for a quadruple double. Then he ended with 4.
• First time the Cavs have been 10 games over this year.
• If we win in Jersey tomorrow, we’ll hit that magic .500 on the road and 2 out of 3 at home that we need for a shot at 50 wins.

Go Cavs!

Last second heave!

Let’s see if I can get this Cavs/Blazers game thread … Nope… posted before tip-off.

Go Cavs!

~~~~~~
First quarter thoughts while down 29-20:

• Where did that hook come from? It looked methodical and planned. Is that something Lebron has been working on? If so, why? I think the subsequent alley-oop worked better.
• Hm, and offense that capitalizes on opponents weaknesses. Imagine that. The Blazers are going at our weak front line by throwing it in to Aldridge with Simmons already in for Gooden. Z now has his first personal and will soon be removed for his usual rest.
• How does a team with Lebron go through scoring droughts?
• We’re obviously shorthanded with both our serviceable bigs on the bench. Shouldn’t Lebron take a minute here to dominate? Nope, he’d rather float 8 feet past the 3 point line until he gets a pass with the shot clock winding down. Right now I hate you, Lebron. You are a stupid, stupid basketball player. Having a high basketball IQ half the time, or at least only using it half the time, disqualifies you from having a high basketball IQ.
• Look how easily he drives and kicks at the end of the quarter! Where was that the last 6 minutes?!?! No wonder we’re down 9!

Halftime! … wait, gotta stare dreamily into Brandon Roy’s eyes during his interview…

• Lebron drives to start the 2nd. He misses, but I give him more credit than any long 3 he makes.
• And Lebron looks for the pass for another open shot. Gee, good things happen when you don’t just stand off on the wing nonchalantly.
• Ok, another drive. This is when I wish I had a feed during commercials. Who was in his ear? Can I give that man a hardy thank you?
• Drives again for the layup! Down 4 and a timeout for Portland. See how easy it is? He doesn’t even get hit. What stops him the other half of the time?
• I smirk a little bit when the TV guys have their conversation interrupted by a TV timeout.
• I still believe – a whole week later! – that Roy would be Lebron’s best sidekick. Dwight Howard is the best young talent, but it would be Lebron improving Dwight. Next to Roy, Lebron is the one whose game expands.
• Great, offensive foul to wake up Lebron, and he hurts himself on the very next play.
• Hughes dunked! Have we lost a game all year where Hughes dunks?
• We’ve looked pretty bad and we’re down 6 on the road at halftime. I’ll take it.

3rd quarter woes:

• Well, the old Hughes is back.
• Why do the broadcasters keep saying we’re going to see Lebron turn into strictly a jumpshooter? Do they want to torture me?
• 2 dunks for Hughes!! No way we lose this game. I’m tempted to chalk it up and turn it off now, because I’m not sure I can take 18 more minutes of Lebron for 3.
• Instead, Lebron looks to pass more. DJ and Boobie are a combined 5-8, so that’s a pretty good idea. Plus this way we can all say he gutted out a triple double on a bad ankle.
• Hey Lebron got to the rim to end a quarter! Yet another sign we’re assured victory.
• Another positive for Lebron: No turnovers in the 3rd.
• Time to watch him turn it on in the 4th. As with every night, Lebron gets either the credit or the blame at the end of this one.

4.9 second update:

• Boobie has gone to the hoop twice tonight, with ugly results.
• Well, Lebron’s driving early. Yet another sign that we are absolutely not losing this game.
• Ah the catalyst 3. The 3 he always takes to turn the tide when we’re down midway through the 4th. Tonight it took 8 minutes, down double digits, but you knew it was coming. And it’s good. So, again, we’re winning.
• The broadcasters are talking about DJ missed a wide open Lebron on his pump fake, side-step 3. If Lebron rolls to the hoop a) he runs through DJ’s line of sight and b) he dunks it. I don’t care how many in a row he’s made, I want him taking the easy basket.
• What’re the odds Lebron takes this?

TOO EASY! Lebron James is the greatest. Put the ball on the floor and go, Bron Bron, and nobody will ever stop you.

Cavs win.