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Unusual number of second games are on road and often they are against well-rested opponents
By Brian Windhorst
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Tuesday, Mar 18, 2008
ORLANDO, FLA.: It was a routine night for the Cavaliers on Monday; they were playing the second night of back-to-back games on the road against a team that was working with more rest.
NBA schedules are complex and every team goes through difficult parts of the schedule when they face adversity due to travel. Quite often during a season you will hear the term ''schedule loss.'' But the Cavs' slate this season has been out of whack compared to previous years.
Monday was the Cavs' 17th back-to-back set of the season, which is not an abnormal number. However, it was the 15th time in those 17 sets that the Cavs had to play the second night on the road, which is a known disadvantage.
On the season, 17 of the Cavs' 21 back-to-backs will have them on the road on the second night. And of those 21 back-to-backs, 12 times the team they play will have had the previous night off.
It has been so frustrating that Cavs coach Mike Brown said the organization has made the league office aware so it won't happen again next season.
''I have not seen this many (road back-to-backs) in my years in the league,'' Brown said. ''This is amazing, as many as we've had. It is part of the league, but it has been tough.''
In the locker room
• Just before the start of the second half, LeBron James strolled over to a courtside seat and introduced himself to Tiger Woods. The golfing great was sitting in the first row at Amway Arena, a day after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational on the 72nd hole at nearby Bay Hill.
It was the first time the two had met, which is remarkable considering their Nike ties and the fact that Woods spends a week every summer playing in Akron at the Bridgestone Invitational.
''I'd never met him before,'' James said. ''I like watching him play, how could you not like watching Tiger Woods play?''
• Daniel Gibson said he is still not sure of a timetable when he'll be able to return to the lineup, but it sounds as if it will probably be at least two more weeks. He has been out four weeks already with a left high-ankle sprain, but he is just now starting to jog, and the team's doctors have not told him when he might be able to sprint and get cleared for practice.
Gibson also said he has more than just a sprain, but also has a deep bone bruise on his lower leg after a collision with Indiana's Travis Diener on Feb. 20. The Cavs estimated his recovery to take 4-6 weeks.
''I want to get back out there as soon as I can,'' said Gibson, who is traveling with the team to do rehab. ''But I'm not that close right now.''
• Eric Snow, who has been shut down for at least a month to deal with a left knee issue, has briefly left the team to rehab on his own.
• The Cavs currently have an open roster spot, and Brown said the team might fill it. Lance Allred is currently in the middle of a 10-day contract and primarily serving as a practice player. But with Snow and Gibson out and several other Cavs cutting down on practice time to conserve energy, Brown said he might like another body. Next week the Cavs will have five days off and a chance to get some practice time in, which is when they might look at signing another player.
''I like bodies, it helps to have them for practice,'' Brown said. ''We haven't had enough practice time to ask for a 15th, but if there is a guy out there our front office likes they will bring it to me and we'll consider it. You always want to take a look at guys.''
Brian Windhorst can be reached at bwindhor@thebeaconjournal.com. Read his blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/cavs/.
ORLANDO, FLA.: It was a routine night for the Cavaliers on Monday; they were playing the second night of back-to-back games on the road against a team that was working with more rest.
Get the full article here.

