Nets-Cavaliers Preview

By MIKE LIPKA
Posted Dec 14 2009 10:48PM

After a shaky start at home, the Cleveland Cavaliers have looked as dominant as ever lately. Their visitors Tuesday aren't likely to change that trend.

The lowly New Jersey Nets have begun their road trip with two blowout losses, and face a tough task to avoid finishing it with a third against LeBron James and the Cavs.

Cleveland, which went 39-2 at home last season, looked surprisingly vulnerable in losses to Boston and Chicago during its first four home games.

Those problems have disappeared as the Cavs (17-7) have won seven straight at home over the last month, shooting 52.7 percent from the field in those games. James has gotten his teammates involved with an average of 10.0 assists in that stretch, along with a relatively modest 25.3 points.

After beating Portland 104-99 in their most recent home game, the Cavs won 102-89 at Oklahoma City on Sunday. They were buoyed by a fourth-quarter half-court shot from Mo Williams, who fired in desperation as the shot clock expired.

The biggest factor was still James, who scored a season-high 44 points and was 5 of 8 from 3-point range.

"It's tough to guard a guy who's that quick, that strong, that's making shots that deep," Oklahoma City's Jeff Green said. "He's one of the top players in the NBA. He turned it on when his team needed it the most."

James is trying to lead the Cavs back to the NBA finals after they fell short the last two seasons, but the team has slipped behind Boston, Orlando and Atlanta in the race for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Nets (2-22) are simply trying to save face in the wake of their historically bad start, as they became the first team in NBA history to open the season with 18 consecutive losses. They finally beat Charlotte on Dec. 4 and earned their first road win at Chicago last Tuesday, but their problems have resurfaced on this road trip.

After shooting 36.3 percent in a 107-91 loss at Indiana on Friday, New Jersey allowed a season high in points to the Hawks, who shot 11 of 17 from 3-point range during a 130-107 win over the Nets on Sunday.

"We were hanging tough with a top-four team in the East, pretty much for - what fraction should I say? - five-eighths of the game?" New Jersey center Brook Lopez said. "That's correct, right? So, we were in there. It just kind of fell out from under us offensively and defensively the beginning of the third quarter. I'm sure it's tough writing about us."

Lopez has been one of the few bright spots for New Jersey, ranking fifth in the NBA with 13 double-doubles. Another emerging contributor is Chris Douglas-Roberts, who is averaging 16.2 points but missed Sunday's game with a knee problem. It's unclear if he'll play Tuesday.

The Nets' woeful offense certainly doesn't need any more challenges, as the team ranks last in the league in points per game (89.3) and field goal percentage (41.5).

New Jersey has averaged 85.0 points during a four-game losing streak to the Cavs. This is the first of four meetings this season.

Copyright 2009 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Nets hang tough, but Cavs take control in second half

By Sam Amico, for NBA.com
Posted Tuesday December 15, 2009 11:16PM

CLEVELAND (NBA.com exclusive) -- If there's one positive New Jersey can take from its 99-89 road loss to Cleveland on Tuesday, it's that the starters were still in at the end.

That's not to intended to trash the Nets, who can point to things such as youth, injuries and an offseason makeover to justify their wretched start.

Rather, it's to show that even a team like the Nets, with their 2-23 record, is capable of battling and improving. Who cares that the Nets were playing a team considered to be among the league's elite?

The Nets turned this into an ugly, plodding affair -- which is pretty much what needed to happen if they were to have a chance. So they slowed it down, pounded the ball inside to center Brook Lopez, and let him do his thing.

It was a strategy that did the trick early, as Lopez scored 20 points in the first half and the Nets shot a whopping 23 free throws. But the Cavaliers are a championship contender for a reason, and much of it has to do with their ability to take away what the opponent is doing well.

"[The Nets] got a lot of their points (18) from the line in the first half," said Cavs guard Anthony Parker. "It took us out of our rhythm. So we wanted to keep being physical without all the fouling in the second half."

The Cavs (18-7) did exactly that, as the Nets took just six foul shots and Lopez scored just two points in the final two quarters combined.

"We got the win," said Cavs coach Mike Brown. "It was an ugly, slow game, but we'll take it."

When you consider how this game was played, it should come as no surprise that the most discussed moment of the night wasn't a Shaquille O'Neal dunk or LeBron James look-away pass, but a foul committed by Nets' guard Devin Harris.

Harris practically (and accidentally) almost took off the head of Cavs forward Jamario Moon as Moon rose for a breakaway dunk. That came with 3:48 remaining in the game and resulted in a flagrant-two foul and automatic ejection for Harris.

James quickly approached and wrapped his arms around Harris underneath the basket, but it was clear no one intended to fight. In fact, no one really seemed the least bit upset by it, including Moon.

"I don't have a beef with anyone in the league," Moon said. "I don't feel like it was intentional. It wasn't that bad. It wasn't as bad as it looked."

Nets interim coach Kiki Vandeweghe agreed.

"I really thought Devin was just trying to stop [Moon] from scoring," Vandeweghe said. "He got him in an unfortunate place and I understand the call. But I think Devin's intent was to just stop him from scoring."

O'Neal was involved in the aftermath, rushing to the scene but seemingly with the intent to make sure things didn't get out of hand.

"It was a hard foul, so I just wanted to make sure nobody got into a squabble," O'Neal said. "There was a grab here, a grab there, everywhere a grab-grab."

As for the rest of the game, the Cavs shot a sizzling 58 percent (39-for-67) from the floor -- but just 63 percent (17-for-27) from the free-throw line. They also committed 14 turnovers, compared to just eight for the Nets.

In other words, the focus and consistency issues continue for the team that finished with the league's best regular-season record last year.

"It's something we have to continue trying to figure out," Brown said. "We talked about it this morning at shootaround. Of our seven losses, five have come against sub.-500 teams. Hopefully, in time and no matter who we're facing, we'll do what we need to get a win. We want to play at a high level, but also a consistent level."

James led the Cavs with team highs of 23 points and seven assists. O'Neal and backup center Zydrunas Ilgauskas each scored 16, and Mo Williams added 13 points and a team-high eight rebounds.

For the Nets, Lopez grabbed 15 rebounds to go with his 22 points. Harris also scored 22 and Rafer Alston had 20 off the bench.

"I thought guys gave great effort," Harris said. "I thought the ball moved and we attacked them with the pick-and-roll. We just didn't get enough stops at the end. ... [But] that's the kind of effort we need."

• Nets: Douglas-Roberts, Hayes, Yi
• Cavaliers: Green, Powe, West

• Nets: --
• Cavaliers: --

• Lead Changes: 0
• Times Tied: 0

• Arena: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, OH
• Officials: #15 Bennett Salvatore, #46 Matt Boland, #50 Olandis Poole
• Attendance: 20562
• Duration: 2:22

New Jersey Nets (3-31)		Cleveland Cavaliers (28-9)
Start of 1st Quarter
(12:00) Jump Ball O'Neal vs Lopez (Hickson gains possession)
	11:36 [CLE 2-0]	O'Neal Running Hook Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Hickson (1 AST)
Lopez Jump Shot: Missed	11:25
	11:24	Hickson Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	11:01 [CLE 4-0]	Hickson Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: O'Neal (1 AST)
	10:51	Hickson Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Harris Jump Shot: Missed	10:46
Lopez Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	10:45
	10:33	Williams Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Harris Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)	10:33 [NJN 1-4]
Harris Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)	10:33 [NJN 2-4]
	10:21 [CLE 6-2]	O'Neal Reverse Slam Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Parker (1 AST)
Harris Jump Shot: Missed	10:01
	10:00	Williams Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
Lopez Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	09:48
	09:48 [CLE 7-2]	O'Neal Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)
	09:48	O'Neal Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Boone Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	09:47
	09:37	Hickson Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Harris Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)	09:37 [NJN 3-7]
Harris Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)	09:37 [NJN 4-7]
	09:18 [CLE 9-4]	O'Neal Layup Shot: Made (7 PTS)
Team Timeout : Regular	09:10
Lee Jump Shot: Missed	08:59
	08:58	O'Neal Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	08:40	James Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed
Lopez Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	08:39
Lee Jump Shot: Missed	08:26
Lopez Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)	08:25
Lopez Tip Shot: Missed	08:25
	08:23	Williams Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	08:17 [CLE 11-4]	Williams Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Lee Turnover : Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover (1 TO)	08:15
	07:57 [CLE 13-4]	Parker Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: James (1 AST)
	07:39	O'Neal Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Boone Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)	07:39 [NJN 5-13]
Boone Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	07:39
	07:38	Hickson Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	07:21 [CLE 15-5]	Hickson Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: James (2 AST)
Lopez Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Hassell (1 AST)	06:56 [NJN 7-15]
	06:37 [CLE 17-7]	O'Neal Jump Hook Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Parker (2 AST)
Lopez Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)	06:21 [NJN 9-17]
	06:21	Hickson Foul : Shooting (3 PF)
	06:21	Hickson Substitution replaced by Varejao
Lopez Free Throw 1 of 1 (5 PTS)	06:21 [NJN 10-17]
	06:02	Williams Jump Shot: Missed
Lopez Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	06:01
Hassell Jump Shot: Missed	05:46
Lopez Rebound (Off:3 Def:2)	05:44
Lopez Reverse Layup Shot: Made (7 PTS)	05:41 [NJN 12-17]
	05:21 [CLE 19-12]	James Slam Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: O'Neal (2 AST)
Lopez Jump Shot: Missed Block: O'Neal (1 BLK)	05:05
	05:03	Varejao Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	04:52 [CLE 22-12]	Williams 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: James (3 AST)
Harris 3pt Shot: Missed	04:36
	04:35	James Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	04:19	Williams Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Harris (1 ST)
Harris Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Lopez (1 AST)	04:15 [NJN 14-22]
	03:53	O'Neal Layup Shot: Missed Block: Hassell (1 BLK)
Lopez Rebound (Off:3 Def:3)	03:51
	03:34	Varejao Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
	03:34	O'Neal Substitution replaced by Ilgauskas
	03:34	Williams Substitution replaced by Gibson
Lopez Free Throw 1 of 2 (8 PTS)	03:34 [NJN 15-22]
Lopez Free Throw 2 of 2 (9 PTS)	03:34 [NJN 16-22]
	03:16	Parker Jump Shot: Missed
Lee Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	03:15
	03:08	Varejao Foul : Personal (2 PF)
Boone Substitution replaced by Najera	03:08
Harris Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)	03:08 [NJN 17-22]
	03:08	Parker Substitution replaced by Moon
Harris Free Throw 2 of 2 (8 PTS)	03:08 [NJN 18-22]
	02:47	Varejao Jump Shot: Missed Block: Lopez (1 BLK)
Hassell Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	02:45
Lee 3pt Shot: Missed	02:23
	02:21	James Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
Lee Foul : Personal (1 PF)	02:17
	02:17	Team Timeout : Regular
	02:17	Varejao Substitution replaced by Jackson
	02:02 [CLE 24-18]	James Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)
	01:59	Gibson Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Harris Free Throw 1 of 2 (9 PTS)	01:59 [NJN 19-24]
Harris Free Throw 2 of 2 (10 PTS)	01:59 [NJN 20-24]
Najera Foul : Personal (1 PF)	01:47
	01:39 [CLE 26-20]	James Alley Oop Dunk Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Ilgauskas (1 AST)
Lee Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Ilgauskas (1 ST)	01:21
Najera Foul : Personal (2 PF)	01:21
	01:21	Ilgauskas Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	01:21	Team Rebound
	01:21 [CLE 27-20]	Ilgauskas Free Throw 2 of 2 (1 PTS)
Harris Layup Shot: Missed	01:06
Najera Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	01:05
Najera Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Lee (1 AST)	00:51.8 [NJN 22-27]
	00:27.9 [CLE 30-22]	James 3pt Shot: Made (9 PTS)
Harris 3pt Shot: Missed	00:03.5
Team Rebound	00:03.5
Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover	00:03.5
	00:03.5	Moon Substitution replaced by Williams
	00:00.0	James 3pt Shot: Missed
	00:00.0	Team Rebound
End of 1st Quarter
New Jersey Nets (3-31)		Cleveland Cavaliers (28-9)
Start of 2nd QuarterBack to Top
Lopez Running Bank shot: Made (11 PTS)	11:34 [NJN 24-30]
Williams Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	11:10
Hassell Substitution replaced by Alston	11:10
	11:10	Williams Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	11:10	Team Rebound
Lopez Substitution replaced by Simmons	11:10
Najera Substitution replaced by Boone	11:10
	11:10 [CLE 31-24]	Williams Free Throw 2 of 2 (6 PTS)
Harris Floating Jump shot: Missed	10:55
	10:53	Ilgauskas Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
Simmons Foul : Personal (1 PF)	10:46
	10:35 [CLE 33-24]	Gibson Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Williams (1 AST)
Alston Layup Shot: Missed Block: Gibson (1 BLK)	10:20
	10:18	Gibson Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
Simmons Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	10:18
	10:18 [CLE 34-24]	Gibson Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)
	10:18 [CLE 35-24]	Gibson Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)
Alston Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)	10:03 [NJN 26-35]
	09:39 [CLE 37-26]	Ilgauskas Hook Shot: Made (3 PTS)
Alston Jump Shot: Missed Block: Ilgauskas (1 BLK)	09:33
	09:32	Ilgauskas Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	09:32	Ilgauskas Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)
Alston 3pt Shot: Missed	09:20
	09:19	Ilgauskas Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	09:12 [CLE 39-26]	Gibson Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS)
	09:02	Williams Foul : Personal (2 PF)
Harris Substitution replaced by Lee	09:02
Lee Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Alston (1 AST)	08:55 [NJN 28-39]
	08:38 [CLE 41-28]	Moon Alley Oop Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Williams (2 AST)
Williams Layup Shot: Missed Block: Ilgauskas (2 BLK)	08:17
	08:15	Williams Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	08:05	Jackson Turnover : 3 Second Violation (1 TO)
Timeout : Official	08:05
	08:05	Williams Substitution replaced by James
Lee Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Alston (2 AST)	07:55 [NJN 30-41]
Boone Substitution replaced by Lopez	07:44
	07:34 [CLE 43-30]	Ilgauskas Layup Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: James (4 AST)
Lopez Jump Shot: Missed	07:07
	07:05	Moon Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	06:45 [CLE 45-30]	Ilgauskas Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (7 PTS)
	06:35	Ilgauskas Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Lopez Free Throw 1 of 2 (12 PTS)	06:35 [NJN 31-45]
Lopez Free Throw 2 of 2 (13 PTS)	06:35 [NJN 32-45]
	06:23	James Fade Away Jumper Shot: Missed
Alston Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	06:22
Simmons 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Alston (3 AST)	06:13 [NJN 35-45]
Simmons Foul : Personal (3 PF)	05:55
	05:55	Team Timeout : Regular
Simmons Substitution replaced by Najera	05:55
	05:51 [CLE 47-35]	Ilgauskas Layup Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: James (5 AST)
Lopez Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	05:51
	05:51 [CLE 48-35]	Ilgauskas Free Throw 1 of 1 (10 PTS)
	05:42	Ilgauskas Foul : Personal (2 PF)
	05:42	Ilgauskas Substitution replaced by O'Neal
	05:30	O'Neal Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Lopez Free Throw 1 of 2 (14 PTS)	05:30 [NJN 36-48]
Alston Substitution replaced by Harris	05:30
Lopez Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	05:30
	05:29	O'Neal Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	05:04	James 3pt Shot: Missed
Lopez Rebound (Off:3 Def:4)	05:01
Lopez Jump Hook Shot: Made (16 PTS) Assist: Harris (1 AST)	04:48 [NJN 38-48]
	04:30	Gibson 3pt Shot: Missed
Lopez Rebound (Off:3 Def:5)	04:29
	04:22	Jackson Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
	04:22	Gibson Substitution replaced by Williams
Williams Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)	04:22 [NJN 39-48]
	04:22	Jackson Substitution replaced by Varejao
Williams Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	04:22
	04:20	Moon Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
Najera Foul : Personal (3 PF)	04:15
	04:15 [CLE 49-39]	O'Neal Free Throw 1 of 2 (10 PTS)
Williams Substitution replaced by Hassell	04:15
	04:15	O'Neal Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Lee Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	04:13
Lee 3pt Shot: Missed	04:06
	04:04	Williams Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	04:02	James Turnover : Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover (1 TO)
	03:52	Moon Foul : Personal (1 PF)
	03:52	Moon Substitution replaced by Parker
Najera Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	03:52
Team Rebound	03:52
Najera Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	03:52
	03:51	Varejao Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	03:37	James Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Najera (1 ST)
	03:30	Varejao Foul : Shooting (3 PF)
Najera Substitution replaced by Boone	03:30
	03:30	Varejao Substitution replaced by Jackson
Lopez Free Throw 1 of 2 (17 PTS)	03:30 [NJN 40-49]
Lopez Free Throw 2 of 2 (18 PTS)	03:30 [NJN 41-49]
Hassell Foul : Personal (1 PF)	03:15
	03:15	James Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	03:15	Team Rebound
	03:15 [CLE 50-41]	James Free Throw 2 of 2 (10 PTS)
Team Timeout : Regular	03:15
Lopez Turnover : Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover (1 TO)	03:01
	02:49	Williams 3pt Shot: Missed
Hassell Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	02:48
Lopez Layup Shot: Missed	02:34
	02:32	Williams Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)
	02:26	Williams Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Lee (1 ST)
Lee Dunk Shot: Missed	02:12
Lopez Rebound (Off:4 Def:5)	02:10
Lopez Putback Layup Shot: Made (20 PTS)	02:10 [NJN 43-50]
	01:48	Jackson Layup Shot: Missed
	01:44	O'Neal Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	01:43	O'Neal Slam Dunk Shot: Missed
Lee Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	01:40
Harris Jump Shot: Made (12 PTS)	01:31 [NJN 45-50]
	01:13	James Foul : Offensive (1 PF)
	01:13	James Turnover : Foul (3 TO)
Lopez Substitution replaced by Simmons	01:13
Harris Jump Shot: Missed	00:58.8
	00:57.3	James Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	00:46.8	James Jump Shot: Missed
	00:44.8	O'Neal Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)
	00:44.6 [CLE 52-45]	O'Neal Layup Shot: Made (12 PTS)
Harris Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Parker (1 ST)	00:28.9
	00:26.1	James Foul : Offensive (2 PF)
	00:26.1	James Turnover : Foul (4 TO)
Team Timeout : Short	00:26.1
	00:26.1	James Substitution replaced by Gibson
	00:26.1	O'Neal Substitution replaced by Williams
	00:26.1	Williams Substitution replaced by Moon
Harris 3pt Shot: Missed	00:01.9
	00:00.7	Jackson Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
End of 2nd Quarter
New Jersey Nets (3-31)		Cleveland Cavaliers (28-9)
Start of 3rd QuarterBack to Top
Harris 3pt Shot: Missed	11:37
	11:36	Team Rebound
	11:25	Lee Violation:Kicked Ball
	11:13	O'Neal Turnover : 3 Second Violation (1 TO)
Lopez Jump Shot: Missed Block: O'Neal (2 BLK)	10:56
Boone Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	10:55
Lee 3pt Shot: Missed	10:52
Lopez Rebound (Off:5 Def:5)	10:50
Lopez Tip Shot: Missed	10:50
Hassell Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	10:47
Harris Jump Shot: Missed	10:29
Boone Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)	10:28
Boone Putback Dunk Shot: Made (3 PTS)	10:28 [NJN 47-52]
	10:08 [CLE 54-47]	O'Neal Dunk Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Parker (3 AST)
Hassell Layup Shot: Missed	09:44
Lee Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	09:40
Lee Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS)	09:38 [NJN 49-54]
	09:14	James 3pt Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	09:13
Boone Layup Shot: Missed Block: O'Neal (3 BLK)	08:49
Boone Rebound (Off:3 Def:1)	08:48
Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover	08:48
	08:27 [CLE 56-49]	Hickson Dunk Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: James (6 AST)
Boone Layup Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Harris (2 AST)	08:02 [NJN 51-56]
	07:43 [CLE 59-51]	Parker 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: James (7 AST)
	07:27	Williams Foul : Personal (3 PF)
Lopez Jump Shot: Missed	07:22
	07:21	Williams Rebound (Off:0 Def:6)
	07:15 [CLE 61-51]	Williams Driving Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS)
Lee Jump Shot: Missed	06:52
Hassell Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	06:50
Hassell Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	06:47 [NJN 53-61]
	06:26	Williams Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Boone (1 ST)
Harris Jump Shot: Made (14 PTS)	06:07 [NJN 55-61]
	05:37	James 3pt Shot: Missed
Lopez Rebound (Off:5 Def:6)	05:36
Harris Jump Shot: Made (16 PTS) Assist: Boone (1 AST)	05:30 [NJN 57-61]
	05:30	Team Timeout : Regular
	05:30	Hickson Substitution replaced by Varejao
	05:04 [CLE 63-57]	James Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Parker (4 AST)
Boone Jump Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Harris (3 AST)	04:39 [NJN 59-63]
	04:21	Parker 3pt Shot: Missed
Boone Rebound (Off:3 Def:2)	04:20
	04:09	Varejao Foul : Shooting (4 PF)
	04:09	O'Neal Substitution replaced by Ilgauskas
	04:09	Parker Substitution replaced by Gibson
Lopez Free Throw 1 of 2 (21 PTS)	04:09 [NJN 60-63]
Lopez Free Throw 2 of 2 (22 PTS)	04:09 [NJN 61-63]
	03:54	Williams 3pt Shot: Missed
Lopez Rebound (Off:5 Def:7)	03:52
Harris Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:James (1 ST)	03:42
	03:31 [CLE 65-61]	James Running Bank shot: Made (14 PTS)
Hassell Layup Shot: Missed	03:18
	03:17	Ilgauskas Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	03:08 [CLE 67-61]	James Driving Layup Shot: Made (16 PTS)
Hassell Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	03:08
	03:08	Varejao Substitution replaced by Moon
	03:08 [CLE 68-61]	James Free Throw 1 of 1 (17 PTS)
Team Timeout : Regular	03:05
Boone Substitution replaced by Alston	03:05
Hassell Jump Shot: Missed Block: Ilgauskas (3 BLK)	02:45
Team Rebound	02:45
Lee Jump Shot: Missed	02:42
	02:41	Williams Rebound (Off:0 Def:7)
	02:24 [CLE 70-61]	James Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (19 PTS) Assist: Williams (3 AST)
Hassell Driving Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)	02:10 [NJN 63-70]
	01:51	Williams Turnover : Bad Pass (4 TO)
Lopez Jump Shot: Missed	01:30
	01:29	James Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	01:08	Gibson Running Bank shot: Missed
Lopez Rebound (Off:5 Def:8)	01:05
Alston 3pt Shot: Missed	00:58.9
	00:57.6	James Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)
	00:48.9	James Jump Bank Shot: Missed
	00:47.4	Ilgauskas Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
	00:47.4 [CLE 72-63]	Ilgauskas Putback Layup Shot: Made (12 PTS)
Harris Jump Shot: Missed	00:26.9
	00:25.4	Moon Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
Hassell Foul : Personal (3 PF)	00:11.6
	00:00.0	James Jump Shot: Missed
	00:00.0	Team Rebound
End of 3rd Quarter
New Jersey Nets (3-31)		Cleveland Cavaliers (28-9)
Start of 4th QuarterBack to Top
	11:48	Moon Alley Oop Layup shot: Missed
Hassell Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)	11:48
	11:48	Moon Foul : Personal (2 PF)
Harris Jump Shot: Made (18 PTS)	11:34 [NJN 65-72]
Lopez Foul : Defense 3 Second (2 PF)	11:18
Lee Substitution replaced by Najera	11:18
	11:18 [CLE 73-65]	James Free Throw Technical (20 PTS)
Hassell Foul : Shooting (4 PF)	11:09
	11:09 [CLE 74-65]	Gibson Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)
Hassell Substitution replaced by Williams	11:09
	11:09 [CLE 75-65]	Gibson Free Throw 2 of 2 (8 PTS)
Alston 3pt Shot: Missed	10:53
	10:52	Moon Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	10:40	Ilgauskas Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Najera (2 ST)
Najera Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:James (2 ST)	10:35
	10:10	Ilgauskas Jump Shot: Missed
	10:09	James Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)
	09:59	Moon Jump Shot: Missed
Lopez Rebound (Off:5 Def:9)	09:58
Alston Jump Shot: Missed	09:33
Najera Rebound (Off:2 Def:0)	09:32
Lopez Substitution replaced by Boone	09:32
Harris Jump Shot: Made (20 PTS)	09:20 [NJN 67-75]
	09:00 [CLE 77-67]	Ilgauskas Jump Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Gibson (1 AST)
Timeout : Official	08:51
Harris Substitution replaced by Lee	08:51
	08:51	James Substitution replaced by Williams
Alston Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS)	08:45 [NJN 69-77]
	08:27 [CLE 79-69]	Varejao Floating Jump shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Williams (4 AST)
Alston 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS)	08:20 [NJN 72-79]
	07:51	Gibson Jump Shot: Missed
Williams Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	07:50
Alston Turnover : Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover (1 TO)	07:36
	07:21	Moon Jump Shot: Missed
	07:19	Varejao Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	07:06 [CLE 81-72]	Williams Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS)
Najera 3pt Shot: Missed	06:42
	06:41	Moon Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)
	06:30	Ilgauskas Jump Shot: Missed
	06:27	Moon Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)
	06:27 [CLE 83-72]	Moon Tip Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Team Timeout : Regular	06:14
Boone Substitution replaced by Lopez	06:14
Najera Substitution replaced by Simmons	06:14
Alston 3pt Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Lopez (2 AST)	06:00 [NJN 75-83]
Alston Foul : Personal (1 PF)	05:40
Williams Substitution replaced by Harris	05:40
	05:40	Gibson Substitution replaced by James
	05:40	Ilgauskas Substitution replaced by O'Neal
Lee Substitution replaced by Hassell	05:40
	05:35 [CLE 86-75]	Williams 3pt Shot: Made (13 PTS)
Harris Jump Shot: Made (22 PTS)	05:16 [NJN 77-86]
	05:01 [CLE 88-77]	Varejao Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Williams (5 AST)
	04:55	Williams Foul : Personal (4 PF)
Alston Substitution replaced by Lee	04:55
Lopez Layup Shot: Missed	04:38
Hassell Rebound (Off:3 Def:3)	04:36
	04:32	O'Neal Foul : Shooting (3 PF)
Lee Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)	04:32 [NJN 78-88]
Lee Free Throw 2 of 2 (8 PTS)	04:32 [NJN 79-88]
	04:13	James Layup Shot: Missed
	04:10	O'Neal Rebound (Off:3 Def:2)
	04:09 [CLE 90-79]	O'Neal Slam Dunk Shot: Made (16 PTS)
Harris Turnover : Lost Ball (3 TO) Steal:O'Neal (1 ST)	03:51
Harris Foul : Flagrant Type 2 (1 PF)	03:48
Harris Ejection:First Flagrant Type 2	03:48
Harris Substitution replaced by Najera	03:48
	03:48	Instant Replay - Support Ruling
	03:48 [CLE 91-79]	Moon Free Throw Flagrant 2 of 2 (5 PTS)
	03:48 [CLE 92-79]	Moon Free Throw Flagrant 1 of 1 (6 PTS)
	03:29	Moon 3pt Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	03:27
Lee Jump Shot: Missed	03:02
	03:01	Varejao Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	02:47	James Turnover : Bad Pass (5 TO)
	02:47	Team Timeout : Regular
Simmons Substitution replaced by Alston	02:47
Alston Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (12 PTS)	02:35 [NJN 81-92]
Alston Foul : Personal (2 PF)	02:30
Najera Foul : Personal (4 PF)	02:25
	02:25	O'Neal Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	02:25	Team Rebound
	02:25	O'Neal Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Lopez Rebound (Off:5 Def:10)	02:23
	02:19	James Foul : Shooting (3 PF)
Alston Free Throw 1 of 2 (13 PTS)	02:19 [NJN 82-92]
	02:19	O'Neal Substitution replaced by Ilgauskas
Alston Free Throw 2 of 2 (14 PTS)	02:19 [NJN 83-92]
	02:05 [CLE 94-83]	Ilgauskas Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (16 PTS) Assist: Moon (1 AST)
Lopez Jump Shot: Missed	01:49
	01:47	Varejao Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
	01:23 [CLE 96-83]	James Reverse Layup Shot: Made (22 PTS) Assist: Williams (6 AST)
Lee 3pt Shot: Missed	01:14
Hassell Rebound (Off:4 Def:3)	01:13
Alston 3pt Shot: Made (17 PTS) Assist: Najera (1 AST)	01:08 [NJN 86-96]
	01:05	James Turnover : Bad Pass (6 TO) Steal:Alston (1 ST)
Alston 3pt Shot: Made (20 PTS) Assist: Lee (2 AST)	00:46.9 [NJN 89-96]
Lee Foul : Personal (2 PF)	00:29.1
	00:29.1 [CLE 97-89]	James Free Throw 1 of 2 (23 PTS)
	00:29.1	Ilgauskas Substitution replaced by Gibson
	00:29.1	James Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
	00:27.9	Williams Rebound (Off:1 Def:7)
Alston Foul : Personal (3 PF)	00:23.8
	00:23.8	Williams Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	00:23.8	Team Rebound
	00:23.8	Williams Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Najera Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)	00:23.5
Team Timeout : Regular	00:23.5
Najera Substitution replaced by Simmons	00:23.5
Alston Jump Shot: Missed	00:13.9
	00:12.9	Moon Rebound (Off:1 Def:6)
Simmons Foul : Personal (4 PF)	00:12.9
	00:12.9 [CLE 98-89]	Moon Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)
	00:12.9 [CLE 99-89]	Moon Free Throw 2 of 2 (8 PTS)
Lee 3pt Shot: Missed	00:04.9
	00:02.9	Moon Rebound (Off:1 Def:7)
End of 4th Quarter

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