Gameblog: Cavs vs. Knicks

At the half:  Cavs 50, Knicks 43
Are the Cavs still on the West Coast?
A couple of observations:  They are getting no calls in the first half, only going to the line four times in that span. 
The Knicks are shooting just XX percent in the first half yet only have a seven-point edge.  The calls have certainly gone the Knicks way. 
Part of the problem is nine turnovers that have killed the Cavs' offensive flow.  The Knicks have scored 10 points off Cleveland turnovers. 
Game: Cavs (52-13) vs. Knicks (28-37)
Broadcast:  TV: FSOhio; Radio: WAKR (1590 AM); WTAM (1100 AM), WHBC (1480 AM)
Starters: LeBron James (F); Anderson Varejao (F); Zydrunas Ilgauskas (C); Delonte West (G); Wilson Chandler (F); Al Harrington (F); David Lee (C); Larry Hughes (G); Nate Robinson (G).
Injured-inactive:  Cavs:  Eric Snow (knee); Ben Wallace (right fibula). Knicks:  Eddy Curry (knee); Chris Duhon (back).
Streaking:  The Cavaliers have won four in a row overall and five consecutive at Quicken Loans Arena; the Knicks have won three straight.
This year:  The Cavs lead the season series 3-0.  The Cavaliers have beat the Knicks by an average of 19.7 points in those three games.  Last time out against New York, LeBron James scored 52 points.
Officials: Bob Delaney, Eric Dalen and Gary Zielinski.
What to watch:

• It would be insane to not look at the Cavs and expect that their recent West Coast jaunt didn’t leave them somewhat fatigued. Look for early signs of that Sunday against the Knicks.  Although there’s a chance it could be mitigated by the fact that instead of racing home right after the Sacramento game, they stayed in California for a full night’s sleep, arriving back in Cleveland just before 6 p.m. Saturday evening.
• LeBron James has been on a remarkable roll with three consecutive triple doubles in the past weeks and on the one night he didn’t get one, he dropped 51 points on the Kings.  Last time out against the Knicks he owned them, scoring 52 points in Madison Square Garden.
• During that three-game stretch out west, the Cavs’ defense looked woeful and, well, indefensible.  They broke down as a unit all over the place.  That’s not the way to go into the playoffs.  Of course, fatigue could be blamed, but given they’re a no excuses team that shouldn’t be a consideration.

Everybody has to make a conscious effort of defending their man first and relying on help second.  That’s something we always preach and we know in order for us to be the best team we can be we got to defend.