Events Calendar
In This Section
10 runs barely enough in Tribe's win
AutoZone to replace Blockbuster in West Akron
Cavs, Varejao agree on six-year deal
Former state official pleads to recommending 17-year-old hooker
Heroic Ohio cop blames budget cuts for his burns
Prison for man who tried to run over Akron officer
4 accused of digging up bodies for profit in Ill.
Train hits vehicle near Detroit; all 5 in car die
Most Read Stories
Akron police investigate teen mob attack on family
Woman, 75, charged with beating fawn to death
Akron woman found dead at Brimfield Township store
Man shot outside his Akron home during robbery attempt
Man shot in back near Akron park
Suspect sought in Portage Path bar robbery
Tragic day puts man on path to be Pinnacle owner
Blogs:
Pets:
Dogs' Bark: Not fair! Study shows pups get jealous
The Heldenfiles:
Who Will Get the Michael Media Treatment Next?
Patrick McManamon:
More on Varejao
Akron Zips:
Opponent outlook: Kent State
Browns Bulletin:
Quick thought on Browns rookies
Tribe Matters:
Wedge challenges relievers
Cleveland Browns:
Stallworth test showed marijuana
Kent State Sports:
Men's Basketball Scheduling update
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Andy’s Signed According to ESPN
All Da King's Men:
Does Medicare Have Lower Administrative Costs ?
Blog of Mass Destruction:
CIA Did Mislead Congress
Akron Law Café:
Breaking Story: CIA Lied to Congress about Secret Program
Varsity Letters:
East basketball update
See Jane Style:
Oh Baby!
Car Chase:
Where do We Go from Here?
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Closings….Not the Good Kind!
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Margy inquires-when is a Taste of Hudson?
Sound Check:
LeVert II live performance Saturday night — "Dedication" album due July 13,
HRLite House:
DDI One of Best Places to Work
Akron Gamer:
First 24 'Guitar Hero 5' songs announced
By Brian Windhorst
Beacon Journal sportswriter
POSTED: 12:57 p.m. EDT, Apr 18, 2008
Control the tempo — The Wizards want to play fast and increase the number of possessions in the game. They only won nine games this season when they scored less than 100 points and only three when they scored less than 80. The Cavs are not a great offensive team; they want to push the ball off misses, and they want to keep it a defensive battle. The Cavs only won nine games this season when they gave up 100 points (in regulation).
Defensive rebounds — Both the Wizards and the Cavs are in the top five in the NBA in offensive rebounding. For the Cavs, getting putbacks is a significant percentage of their offense, and they rely on fastbreaks off defensive rebounds to get easy points. So whichever team is able to limit the other's offensive rebounds, that is what is better on the defensive end, will have an edge.
The LeBron Rules — The Wizards will likely attempt to double-team James on the outside to force him to give up the ball in crunch time. They have to make sure to do it with aggression and not allow him to split. James must be able to distribute the ball to beat the attack, and most important, his teammates must make open shots
Talking and listening — It is clear that the Wizards are a trash talking team, and they use it to build themselves up and throw off their opponent. It often works for them. The Cavs, on the other hand, have had their focus disrupted when they start talking during games this season, to both the opponents and the officials.
Protecting home — There has been much made of the Cavs' record after their big trade but here is something often overlooked: they were 12-4 at home after the deal. In the past two years, they are also 4-1 at the Verizon Center in Washington in the playoffs, and they have eight road playoff wins in the past two years. Taking care of business at home will be vital to both teams, the Cavs wanting to continue the trend, and the Wizards wanting to break it.
Brian Windhorst can be reached at bwindhor@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/cavs/
Control the tempo — The Wizards want to play fast and increase the number of possessions in the game. They only won nine games this season when they scored less than 100 points and only three when they scored less than 80. The Cavs are not a great offensive team; they want to push the ball off misses, and they want to keep it a defensive battle. The Cavs only won nine games this season when they gave up 100 points (in regulation).
Defensive rebounds — Both the Wizards and the Cavs are in the top five in the NBA in offensive rebounding. For the Cavs, getting putbacks is a significant percentage of their offense, and they rely on fastbreaks off defensive rebounds to get easy points. So whichever team is able to limit the other's offensive rebounds, that is what is better on the defensive end, will have an edge.
The LeBron Rules — The Wizards will likely attempt to double-team James on the outside to force him to give up the ball in crunch time. They have to make sure to do it with aggression and not allow him to split. James must be able to distribute the ball to beat the attack, and most important, his teammates must make open shots
Talking and listening — It is clear that the Wizards are a trash talking team, and they use it to build themselves up and throw off their opponent. It often works for them. The Cavs, on the other hand, have had their focus disrupted when they start talking during games this season, to both the opponents and the officials.
Protecting home — There has been much made of the Cavs' record after their big trade but here is something often overlooked: they were 12-4 at home after the deal. In the past two years, they are also 4-1 at the Verizon Center in Washington in the playoffs, and they have eight road playoff wins in the past two years. Taking care of business at home will be vital to both teams, the Cavs wanting to continue the trend, and the Wizards wanting to break it.
Brian Windhorst can be reached at bwindhor@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/cavs/
Comments
Click here to post your comments
