Place: Gund Arena in Cleveland, OH
Time: 7:00 p.m. EST
TV/Radio: Fox Sports Ohio/WTAM 1100 AM
Projected Cavaliers Starting Lineup:
PG: LeBron James
SG: Ricky Davis
SF: Darius Miles
PF: Carlos Boozer
C: Zydrunas Ilgauskas
Cavaliers Injury Report: C Bruno Sundov (right Achilles tendinitis) and
SG Dajuan Wagner (right knee surgery) are all on the injured list.
Projected Knickerbockers Starting Lineup:
PG: Charlie Ward
SG: Allan Houston
SF: Keith Van Horn
PF: Kurt Thomas
C: Dikembe Mutombo
Knickerbockers Injury Report: PF Maciej Lampe (shin splints), PF Antonio
McDyess (left knee surgery) and C Slavko Vranes (right patella tendinitis) are
on the injured list.
Key Matchups:
Ricky Davis vs. Allan Houston - The offense for the Knicks starts
with Allan Houston. He is their no. 1 option and New York devises
different ways to get him shots. New York will run him off screens and use
post ups along with isolations. Houston won't beat you off the dribble but
he is able to create enough space and separation to get his shot off.
Houston has been hot the past three games totaling 102 points. He has
absolutely burned the Cavaliers in the past with his ability to score in bunches
from the outside. However, Houston has a history of sometimes starting out
blistering hot and fading as the game wears on getting up less and less shot
attempts. Ricky Davis will have to fight through screens something he
hasn't done early in games and contest Houston's shot. Davis must not also
turn his head on defense as he is prone to do because Houston will slide to an
open spot and hit a three pointer. Getting up on Houston and being
physical with him is the best way to play Houston. Ricky Davis has the
athletic ability to make him put the ball on the floor and close when Houston
creates some space. Houston is shooter and not a creator known for making
plays with the ball so if he can get Houston out of his comfort zone it could
keep him from having a huge game but Houston will get his points.
Offensively, Davis can put pressure on Houston by continuing to drive the ball
to the basket. Settling for jumpshots does Houston a favor. At 32,
Houston's legs may be going defensively and he like most of the Knicks rotation
can be ran defensively.
Darius Miles vs. Keith Van Horn - The Knicks wanted a bigger small
forward and they went and got one that Knicks coach Don Chaney loves in the much
maligned Keith Van Horn. Van Horn is somewhat having a resurgent year.
His shooting percentage is down but his overall production is heading back into
the direction of his early New Jersey Nets days. Van Horn is a versatile
offensive player with an inside-outside game. He has three point range
although it is down this year and he can post up smaller forwards with his 6'10
frame. He has the ability to get to the rim with surprising athleticism
but rarely has in recent years which has been a knock against Van Horn. He
is a confidence player. If Van Horn hits one of his first few shots then
is prone to have a productive game if he doesn't he is prone to disappear.
So far this year in New York his confidence has remained high. Also, New
York can slide Van Horn over to PF where he has played before in small lineups.
Darius Miles has the physical ability with his length to really give Van Horn
problems. Miles can keep Van Horn in front of him and make him shoot
jumpshots and then contest them. New York may try and post up Van Horn on
Miles and in that instance Miles will have to make him go over the top and not
let Van Horn roll into the lane with jump hooks. Another knock on Van Horn
is that many believe he doesn't have the footspeed to guard athletic SFs and
this is where Miles could really hurt Van Horn. Miles, the last two games,
has been going to the basket with much more purpose. Van Horn isn't
athletic enough to keep Miles away the basket the way he has been playing.
Going after Van Horn defensively and maybe getting some fouls on him or torching
him early could be a good way of taking the Knicks second option out of the
game.
When Cleveland has the ball: The Cavaliers have done a much better job
attacking the rim in recent games and not settling for so many jumpers. If
they are to continue to do so against New York they must to the basket with the
attention of dunking the ball because the Knicks have structured their defense
around C Dikembe Mutombo. The allegedly 37 year old Mutombo isn't what he
once was but can still block and alter shots when brought to him. This is
a game where Cleveland's high post UCLA offense can be effective in pulling
Mutombo out away from the basket. Also, side pick and fades with Ilgauskas
will also help get Mutombo out his comfort zone. The Knicks have struggled
when teams go small and Knicks coach Don Chaney often chooses to take Mutombo
off the floor. With Ira Newble back Cleveland can out a lineup of players
all between 6'7 and 6'9 and attack New York. Cleveland likes to run and
the older, less athletic Knicks can be had in transition. Keeping
turnovers down is always important to Cleveland as they have averaged only 10.5
their last two games coincidentally their best played games of the year to date.
Lastly, Cleveland will likely continue to try and exploit the ridiculous size
and athleticism advantage LeBron James has against smaller PGs along with going
after the weakest perimeter defender on the opposing team.
When New York has the ball: If you look at the Knicks lineup you would
think it was a sure playoff team albeit 5 years ago. New York has paid lip
service to wanting to run up and down the floor but they don't have the
personnel to do so. They will look to get Allan Houston off early and
often and control the tempo. As much as and for how long they have been
wanting to replace PG Charlie Ward he is a steady player probably best suited to
be a backup but is off to career high start in assists and is a capable three
point shooter. Kurt Thomas hasn't as effective offensively at the PF
position this year as he was last year playing center when New York ran a lot of
pick and pops with Thomas shooting jumpers against bigger centers but his
rebounds are up and the Knicks overall are a good rebounding team. New
York wants to play a halfcourt game getting the ball to their scorers on offense
and play good halfcourt defense with Mutombo.
Game outlook: The Cavaliers seemingly have found the way they want to
play attacking the basket and using the athletic ability of their perimeter
players along with going defensive with C DeSagana Diop down the stretch of
games. They cleared the first hurdle in actually winning a game but now it
is time to see how they handle a little success. They will be at home once
again and a letdown will destroy the good feelings from the Washington game.
The Cavaliers have a team that should give New York problems if they continue to
play the way they have been. But, New York is an experienced, veteran team
that will take advantage of the Cavaliers if they make mental mistakes and lapse
in concentration or intensity and come out of Cleveland with a win.
