The Post Up: Cavs No-Show

by Holly MacKenzie

It was a quiet one last night with the Cavs deciding not to show up, Ben Wallace breaking his fibula and LeBron showing us all he is in fact human. Of course I was liveblogging that. Then the Lakers dismantled the_real_nash-less Suns in a game that was over before halftime.

I’m anxious for the Celtics to sign Steph so we can get moving.

I’m also NOT a fan of that Pro Basketball News story that said they’d be signing him just to bury him on the bench. Don’t screw with Steph, please. The guy can play, let’s just let him play basketball.

Seriously though, about the Celtics, I’m hoping Brian Scalabrine gets some good news from all of these tests he’s been having as a result of the concussions he’s sustained.

While the Cavs were absolutely awful last night, I was happy Delonte West was back in action, after meeting with a doctor to confirm that his wrist is healing properly.

It’s been a rough two days for the Celtics and Cavs. C’s going down to the Clippers, losing Scal and KG, Pierce dislocating his finger and then Gabe Pruitt getting busted for a DUI (Get a driver, Pruitt, be safe!). Then the Cavs losing Ben Wallace perhaps until the playoffs, Delonte’s soreness in his wrist and the horrendous shooting last night.

I’d like to see Robert Horry come back. It just seems right to have him on the floor for the playoffs. I’m sure Amar’e, Nash and Diaw all disagree with that comment, but it’s true.

Random thought of the night: With Kobe on the bench because it was a Lakers blowout, Adam Morrison is sitting beside him and the two are sharing a laugh. Imagine what is running through Am Mo’s head, from the Bobcats bench to hanging out with Kobe.

Back onto the Twitter thing, I’m loving Jason Thompson’s updates and I’m happy I found him, courtesy of @langwhitaker, of course.

This whole thing is getting out of control. It’s pretty wild that we are able to have Shaq update us minutes after the loss to the Lakers with, “Ouch, dat hurts, old fashion ass whoopin.” Does it get any better than that? There is only one Shaquille O’Neal.

Houston 93 Cleveland 74

With Yao Ming hitting 13-15 shots for 28 points to go with 8 rebounds, the Cavs didn’t have a shot. Not with LeBron James having a 7-20 night from the floor to go with only one rebound and zero assists. It was an off night from the start for the Cavaliers and they finished the game shooting only 34% from the floor. While giving up 50% shooting to the Rockets. Scoring only 10 points in the third quarter and just 11 in the first. That’s how bad of a night it was for the Cavs. With Ron Artest and Shane Battier taking turns guarding James, then Ben Wallace going down after breaking his fibula in the first half, the Cavs were down only five at the half, but quickly died in the third, getting outscored 23-10 as the Rockets rolled from there. Von Wafer scored 19 points off of the bench, Ron Artest added 15 and Luis Scola added 14 points to go with 9 rebounds.

LA Lakers 132 Phoenix 106

While the Suns have been the team to be scoring at will as of late, it was LA who ran out to a 39-26 lead at the end of one quarter, before stretching it to 15 at the half. Without Steve Nash, who was out nursing a sprained ankle is listed as day to day, the Suns simply could not match up with the Lakers and gave up 57% shooting to LA for the game. After the Lakers extended their lead to 25 in the third quarter, both teams emptied their benches as the Suns face the Raptors in Phoenix tomorrow and the Lakers head to Denver to play the Nuggets before the two teams will meet up again for a rematch Sunday, this time in Phoenix. Lamar Odom led the way with 23 points and 9 rebounds as Kobe Bryant scored 22 points to go with 8 assists and Pau Gasol added 16 points and 9 boards. The Suns were led by Alando Tucker and Leandro Barbosa’s 18 points apiece. Shaquille O’Neal added 12 points and 7 rebounds in the loss.