W2W4: Cleveland Cavaliers vs Brooklyn Nets March 28th, 2014

ourbksocial.com

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

March 28th, 2014

W2W4: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets

Pre-Game News and Notes

After a very difficulty three-game road trip for the Nets that included three overtime games, they will be back at the Barclays Center for a Friday night showdown with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Heading into Friday the Nets are 2.5 games behind the Toronto Raptors in the Atlantic Division, and the Raptors will also be in action Friday playing at home against the Celtics.

Match-Up of the Game: Jarrett Jack vs. Deron Williams

The Cavaliers have been without their best player in Kyrie Irving, but Jarrett Jack has picked his game up in his absence. In the last three games Jack is averaging just over 20 points per game, as Williams will have his hands full at the Point Guard position even without the All-Star Irving. In the last two game Williams has been very good on his own in two overtime losses, as against the Pelicans he scored 23 and then against the Bobcats he scored 29 points. Both players are talented and playing well in their last few games, so it should be fun to watch Jack and Williams’ battle on Friday.

- Playing Spoiler

In the Cavaliers mild three-game winning streak they have been able to play a bit of spoiler lately. The first game of their winning streak came in a huge come from behind win against the New York Knicks, who are trying to get the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. The second win was even more impressive as they were able to take down the Raptors, who the Nets have been chasing for months. The Nets have been red hot in the Barclays Center, but it wouldn’t be wise to overlook the Cavaliers.


- Defending the Big Men

Without Kevin Garnett the defending opposing team’s frontcourts have been a disaster for the Nets and their small lineups. On Friday the Cavaliers have two pretty good ones they’ll be using in Spencer Hawes and Anderson Varejao. Hawes and Varejao are two very different players, but both can hurt the Nets in different ways. Hawes is the more offensive minded Center, as he can really stretch out a defense with his ability to hit three-pointers. Varejao on the other hand is more of a blue collar player that will be fighting for every rebound, which maybe more troublesome for the Nets, as they struggle badly to rebound the basketball. Skill wise Hawes and Varejao aren’t near Anthony Davis or Al Jefferson who the Nets have played recently, but both of them excel in certain departments, which could hurt the Nets in the frontcourt.

W2W4: New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers; March 8th, 2014

By Kenneth Teape (@teapester725)

Saturday, March 8^th, 2014

New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Pre-Game News and Notes

The Knicks will look to continue their winning streak in what is their biggest game of the season to date against the Cavaliers tonight. The Knicks, who enter the game 4.5 games behind eighth place in the Eastern Conference, have the Cavaliers right ahead of them in the standings. A victory over them tonight would pull the teams within a tie and that much closer to a playoff spot. The Cavaliers will be sure to get up for the game as longtime center Žydrūnas Ilgauskas will have his number retired prior to the game. Here are some things to look for in the game tonight.

Match-up of the game: Raymond Felton vs. Kyrie Irving

Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Felton has turned things around the last two games for the Knicks and not coincidentally both games have resulted in Knicks victories. Felton has done well getting into the paint and breaking down the defense, opening up easy scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. When Felton is causing havoc in the paint it opens up rolling opportunities for Tyson Chandler and Amar’e Stoudemire to the rim for alley-oops and open jump shots for Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith.

A key to slowing down the Cavaliers is containing Irving, which is easier said than done. When Irving shoots at least 40 percent from the field, the Cavaliers are 20-20 on the season; when he is below that they are 3-17 according to STATS LLC. The Knicks have struggled all season containing point guards, but have done a good job in the last two games against Ricky Rubio and Trey Burke. If they are able to contain Irving tonight in any capacity it would go a long way in picking up their third consecutive victory.

-Starting Lineup Clicking

Mike Woodson made yet another change to the starting lineup this week, inserting Stoudemire and Smith to go along with Felton, Anthony and Chandler. Since the change the Knicks have played much better basketball, getting out to strong starts and outscoring opponents 105-66 in the first quarters. The last two first quarters the Knicks have tied and set the highest scoring quarters for the season.

The change to the lineup has gotten the Knicks best players on the court to start the game and the results have been positive. The Knicks aren’t falling behind early, instead taking the control early on and forcing their opponents to climb out of deep holes. The cohesion in the starting lineup is something the Knicks have lacked all season but look to have gotten in the last week.

-Bench Play

With the changes the Knicks have made to the starting unit the bench has suffered. Tim Hardaway Jr. has become the biggest threat off the bench, a large drop-off from Smith and Stoudemire. It is hard to ask Hardaway Jr. to pick up the slack of both those players. One player who could help a lot if Iman Shumpert. He needs to pick things up and help carry the bench scoring load with Hardaway Jr. looking to slow down at times recently.

On the contrary, the Cavaliers have a strong option off the bench in Dion Waiters. Waiters is an explosive scorer and is capable of running the offense as well when needed. Anderson Varejao is also expected to return tonight. It will be in a limited basis, but his return to the court will give the Cavaliers a shot in the arm as he brings a lot of energy and intangibles fans of the Cavaliers have enjoyed watching over the past couple of seasons when he is healthy.

-Keep Momentum Going

The Knicks are in the middle of the softest part of the schedule. Eight of the next nine games the Knicks play are against teams with a combined record of 137 games below .500. If they are to climb into the playoff race and keep their slim hopes alive there is no better time than now to do so. The Knicks have shown under Woodson when things starting clicking they are capable of getting into a groove. If they are to sneak into the playoffs, no matter how undeserving or poor they have played this season, it has to start tonight. On the road in Cleveland is most likely the toughest task the Knicks will have in the next nine games outside a meeting with the Indiana Pacers.

W2W4: Cleveland Cavaliers vs Brooklyn Nets

By Nick Ziegler (@Ziggy26x)

January 4th, 2013

W2W4: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets will be hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night in the Barclays Center. Brooklyn is coming off by far their best win of the season in Oklahoma City, where they best the Thunder on a buzzer-beater by Joe Johnson.

- No Uncle Drew

The Nets will be catching a big break on Saturday, as the Cavaliers best player and All-Star Point Guard Kyrie Irving will not be in the lineup due to a knee injury. The Cavaliers aren’t a great team even with Irving so this is a big opportunity for the Nets to build a little winning streak to start off the New Year. The Cavaliers will also be without Center Andrew Bynum, who has been suspended by the team, and they are actively trying to trade the Center.