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LeBron hopes big win over 76ers was needed catapult for playoffs
By Brian Windhorst
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Wednesday, Apr 16, 2008
The Cavaliers have been looking for something, anything, to hold onto as they head into the postseason.
While the Washington Wizards, their upcoming opponent in the first round, have been building momentum by welcoming back injured players and getting on a roll, the Cavs have been in search of footing. Which is why Monday's dramatic, last-second 91-90 victory over the 76ers in Philadelphia might hold extra value.
On its face, the win already clinched the Cavs' homecourt advantage over the Wizards and gave them a chance to rest some players before the series, which will start Saturday or Sunday at Quicken Loans Arena. Deeper, the win might have gone a long way in uplifting the team's spirits.
''This win could really catapult us going into the playoffs,'' LeBron James said. ''We're a good team and we should be excited about what we can do in the postseason.''
The struggling Cavs had lost six of their previous nine games. They hadn't played
well at all on the road since the All-Star break, but Monday's win ranks as one of the best road victories of the season, considering the circumstances.
There are still problems: The Cavs blew a 12-point, fourth-quarter lead and the rotation and starting lineups continue to be in significant flux. Yet they were able to execute in a hostile environment and beat a team that desperately needed the win, and it led to an optimism the Cavs haven't felt for a while.
''You never know how long it takes to build chemistry. Things can click very fast,'' Cavs coach Mike Brown said. ''This was a confidence builder for our guys. It could be what we were looking for. We'll have to wait and see.''
Pavlovic update
The Cavs won't have Sasha Pavlovic for the first round of the playoffs — and maybe longer. Pavlovic underwent an MRI at the Cleveland Clinic on Tuesday after he suffered a left-ankle sprain when he landed on 76ers forward Reggie Evans' foot after a jump shot Monday. The tests confirmed the diagnosis, which is a moderate, low-ankle injury.
He is projected to miss two to three weeks, and the opening series with the Wizards is expected to take two weeks. Pavlovic also suffered a left mid-foot sprain and missed 23 games earlier this season.
James might sit
The Cavs didn't make any firm announcements, but there is a good chance James will sit out tonight's home game against the Detroit Pistons to give his back extra rest before the playoffs.
The Cavs also might sit or restrict the minutes of Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Ben Wallace, both of whom have had back injuries of late, as well.
The Pistons are expected to sit or restrict the playing time of much of their front line.
Brian Windhorst can be reached at bwindhor@thebeaconjournal.com.Read his blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/cavs/
The Cavaliers have been looking for something, anything, to hold onto as they head into the postseason.
Get the full article here.
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