Cavs-Pistons Second Round Playoff Series

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

5/17/06

Snow keeping Cavaliers cool

Veteran guard right at home in defensive series

By Tom Reed

<!-- begin body-content -->BIRMINGHAM, MICH. - Maurice Evans drove to the basket with 2:53 remaining in Monday night's game thinking that he had an uncontested layup.
The oldest player on the court knew otherwise.
A veteran of more than 80 postseason games, Eric Snow doesn't have to watch ESPN Classic to familiarize himself with a hard foul.
The 33-year-old guard has absorbed plenty. And with his Cavaliers nursing a 70-69 lead, Snow realized it was time to apply one.
Taking the perfect pursuit angle, Snow closed ground and fouled the Detroit Pistons' swingman as he released the ball. Both players tumbled heavily into the basket stanchion like stuntmen in an action scene.
A flagrant foul was assessed, but a shaken Evans made only one of two free throws. The Pistons managed just two more points, and the Cavs emerged with a 74-72 victory to tie the best-of-seven series at 2-2.
Snow's playoff cunning again had paid dividends.
``That was the biggest play of the game,'' Cavs coach Mike Brown said. ``Detroit could have taken the lead and gained momentum. That play shows the mental toughness and grittiness Eric Snow brings to the table.''
The Canton McKinley graduate is in his element. Like Mister Rogers in his neighborhood or Tony Soprano in the upstairs office of the Bada Bing, the postseason is where Snow feels most comfortable conducting business.
His savvy and experience have been immeasurable to the Cavs.
Considered by many an offensive liability, he has scored in double figures three times in 10 postseason games. He also has accepted every defensive challenge, regardless of the mismatch, and supplied the leadership and calming influence every team requires come April and May.
Performances such as the one Monday night -- 12 points, three rebounds, two steals and dogged defense on Chauncey Billups -- are what the Cavs envisioned when they acquired him last season.
He is well-suited for the Eastern Conference first-team-to-80-points-wins playoff mentality. He demonstrated it with Allen Iverson and the Philadelphia 76ers in their 2001 NBA Finals appearance, and he's doing it again.
``He has the most playoff experience of anyone on our team, and it shows,'' Cavs guard Flip Murray said.
Not on the scoresheet, of course. That burden falls to the Cavs' other local product.
LeBron James is having a postseason run that has media hacks wearing out a thesaurus looking for new words to describe his brilliance. James is averaging 30.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 6.4 assists. He has two game-winning shots. He has more wins (six) in his postseason debut than Michael Jordan had in his first four trips combined (five).
James concedes, however, that the presence of Snow has made the transition easier. The Chosen One has followed Snow's defense-first lead, and the Cavs have rallied for two consecutive wins against the Pistons.
``E. Snow has been through the playoff wars, he has been to the NBA Finals (twice),'' James said. ``We look to him.''
Perhaps never moreso than on the historic night of May 5 as the Cavs clinched their first playoff series win since 1993 against the Washington Wizards.
Gilbert Arenas had just hit a 3-point shot from the other side of the Potomac River to force overtime. The Verizon Center shook with excitement. Brown saw a dazed, glassy-eyed bunch walking to the sidelines.
Before the coach could speak, Snow took charge of the huddle.
``He was barking at the guys: `(Arenas' shot) is over, it's happened, it's done with -- let's win this game,' '' Brown said.
Focus restored. Equilibrium regained. Game won on a Damon Jones 3-point shot.
``You got to stay in the moment,'' Snow said last week. ``You can't dwell on things that have happened.''
Snow has required a short memory at times. He has been involved in some tough matchups, especially in the absence of Larry Hughes during the regular season and against the Pistons.
He has done admirable work against Billups, who's averaging 15 points and shooting 37 percent in this series. Snow yields points, but his tenacity remains unwavering.
His offensive production has been a bonus. In the Cavs' six postseason victories, Snow is averaging 10.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 steals.
Snow's points (8.0), shooting percentage (.480) and rebounding totals (3.1) are ahead of his regular-season numbers.
``Eric has been huge for us,'' Brown said. ``He contributes in so many ways.''
Sometimes flagrantly, but always with the team's best interest in mind.
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

5/17/06

Cavs visit distraught Hughes

Still no timetable for return of guard, who's grieving death of younger brother

By Brian Windhorst

Beacon Journal sportswriter

<!-- begin body-content -->BIRMINGHAM, MICH. - For the past week, the Cavaliers have made sure to communicate that they have no idea when Larry Hughes will be able to return to the team.
After personally witnessing the grief Hughes and his family are going through at his younger brother Justin's funeral Tuesday, they're more uncertain when he'll be emotionally ready to think about playoff basketball, much less play it.
There are no expectations for Hughes to be back tonight when the Cavs face the Detroit Pistons in Game 5 of their tied series at The Palace of Auburn Hills. As for Game 6 on Friday back in Cleveland, there's no certainty for that, either.
Cavs players, coaches, support staff, General Manager Danny Ferry and team owner Dan Gilbert attended the services at New Sunnymount Missionary Baptist Church in St. Louis. They each embraced Hughes and his mother, Vanessa, to pass along their condolences. Hughes' former Washington Wizards teammates Gilbert Arenas and Tyronne Lue also were in attendance.
Afterward, the Cavs boarded a plane, flew to Detroit, ate lunch and held a film session while still wearing their dark suits.
``It's a tough situation,'' Cavs guard Damon Jones said at the team hotel. ``But it was good for us to be there for him and his family.''
The Cavs have handled Hughes' absence with poise, rallying to win two defense-dominated games.
It was not an unfamiliar situation. They played without Hughes for a 45-game stretch during the regular season and held their own. One of the most common stats quoted in the past several days is the Cavs are 20-7 with Flip Murray in the starting lineup in place of Hughes.
Make no mistake, the Cavs do miss him. In the past two games, the Pistons have taken advantage of his departure by calling more plays for Rip Hamilton. Taller than Murray and quicker than Damon Jones, Hamilton scored a combined 50 points in Games 3 and 4.
``We are not a better team without Larry Hughes, let's get that straight,'' Cavs coach Mike Brown said. ``We've played a lot of games without him and figured out ways to win. We're not going to stop Rip. He's a tough cover for anybody.''
Count on the Pistons continuing to exploit those matchups the rest of the series. Even if Hughes is able to return for Game 6 on Friday, Brown said he wasn't sure if he'd be able to put him back in the starting lineup right away.
``I'd have to think about it,'' Brown said. ``I'd probably talk to him about it; it would be a gut feel.''
'Sheed to play
Pistons forward Rasheed Wallace was limited in Game 4 after spraining his right ankle during the second quarter. His mobility was hampered, and he had to stay active on the bench to keep it from cooling down. Pistons coach Flip Saunders sat Wallace the last six minutes after he turned the ball over twice during a Cavs' 12-1 run. Wallace said he'll be ready for Game 5. ``Don't send me to the glue factory yet,'' he said.
Record keepers
LeBron James has led the Cavs in points, rebounds and assists in the past three playoff games. He's only the second player in NBA history to accomplish that feat after the Sacramento Kings' Chris Webber against the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000. Also, the 72 points and 33 percent shooting that the Cavs held the Pistons to in Game 4 both set franchise playoff records, and were season lows for the Pistons.
Role reversal
During this playoff run, Brown has often sought advice from mentor and San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. Now that his Cavs are actually in a better position, tied with the Pistons 2-2, than the Spurs, who trail the Dallas Mavericks 3-1, will Brown be the one doling out advice?
``Uh, no,'' Brown said. ``I talked with Pop today, but I still need more help from him than he needs from me.''
Futbol matters
Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Anderson Varejao have a big match that they're looking forward to today, and no, it isn't a basketball game. Both will be watching the European Champions League soccer final between Arsenal and Barcelona this afternoon. Ilgauskas is a big Manchester United fan, but he has switched his allegiance to Arsenal to grate on Varejao, who is a Barcelona fan. Varejao is friends with two of the biggest star athletes in the world, James and Ronaldinho, a fellow Brazilian and Barcelona star and two-time FIFA World Player of the Year. Varejao also played professional basketball in Barcelona for three seasons before coming to the Cavs.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

ABJ

5/17/06

There are 23 reasons to give Cavs a chance

By Terry Pluto

<!-- begin body-content -->Wayne Embry calls it, ``Giving a great player a chance.''
That's what the former Cavaliers general manager has been thinking as he has watched his old team in the NBA playoffs.
``I've been telling people not to be surprised if the Cavs beat the (Detroit) Pistons,'' said Embry, now a consultant with the Toronto Raptors.
The goal?
``Just keep the game close,'' he said. ``Think about (the old Cavs), and all the problems we used to have with a No. 23. We had a lot of good players; they had the great one.''
Embry was talking of Michael Jordan, the Chicago Bulls' superstar, who tormented the fine Cavaliers teams of Mark Price, Larry Nance, Brad Daugherty and coach Lenny Wilkens in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Now, it's LeBron James in No. 23 for the Cavaliers, a team that has won 16 of its past 18 games decided by four or fewer points as it heads to The Palace of Auburn Hills for Game 5 of this best-of-seven series, which is tied 2-2.
Think about the first-round series victory over the Washington Wizards: The Cavs won three times by a single point, twice in overtime.
Think about the second round against the Pistons: In both home games, the Cavs were behind heading into the fourth quarter but rallied to win. The key was not being way, way behind.
Think about James, how he has been the most dominating player on the floor against the Pistons and the Wizards. He is averaging 30.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 6.4 assists in 10 playoff games.
Think about this: The Cavs can lose to the Pistons tonight and still win the series.
``A great player gives you that chance,'' Embry said.
Tough tonight
Cavs fans need to keep that in mind, because the Pistons should be the heavy favorite tonight. They are playing on a court where they have a 42-4 record this season. As this series has demonstrated, the home court is an enormous advantage.
It's very possible that the Cavs will lose tonight and come back to win Game 6 at home Friday ing up Game 7 on Sunday in Auburn Hills.
Yes, the Pistons would be at home, but they seem shocked to find themselves in a grueling series with the Cavs. They seemed to think that the NBA Finals are an entitlement, having been there the previous two seasons.
Take a Game 7 in Detroit -- or even a Game 5 -- in which the score is tight, and the Cavs have James, and suddenly, the pressure can smother the home team. It doesn't happen to a playoff-tested team such as the Pistons often, but it's also rare that they encounter a rising star the magnitude of James.
Run of success
Consider what is happening in this Cavs playoff march.
They lost Game 2 at home to the Wizards, then won three out of four to put the series away. They prevailed twice on the road. They grew tougher with each game.
Next was a trip to Detroit, fewer than 48 hours after the overtime victory at Washington that wrapped up the series.
The Cavs were emotionally drained and shocked by the determined Pistons' defense. It was such a contrast to the ``Let's Run, Gun And Have Some Fun'' approach of the wacky, No-D Wizards.
It seemed to take the Cavs nearly seven quarters to adjust, but in the fourth quarter of what became a 97-91 loss in Game 2, the Cavs rallied and outscored the Pistons 31-19.
In the fourth quarter of Game 3, it was 33-21.
In the fourth quarter of Game 4, it was 21-13.
Add it up, and the Cavs have outscored the Pistons 85-53 in the last quarter of those three games!
``That's what happens with great players,'' Embry said. ``They close it out, and they inspire the other guys to play better. Look at how Eric Snow (12 points) started driving to the basket in Game 4. Or how Donyell Marshal started to hit some 3s, and that Brazilian kid (Anderson Varejao) is all over the place. But it all starts with No. 23.''
In Brown's hands
Something else has been impressive.
``That kid on the bench is making adjustments. He has really shown me something,'' Embry said.
The kid is 36-year-old Mike Brown, and it might be time to stop calling him a rookie coach. He won 50 games in the regular season. He has guided the Cavs past the Wizards and into what now amounts to a fascinating best-of-three series with the Pistons.
Brown has kept his team together after the two losses in Detroit and through the death of Justin Hughes, the brother of guard Larry Hughes. The starter has missed the past two games to be with his family -- and the Cavs won without him.
``Give him credit for taking (Zydrunas Ilgauskas) out at the end of some of these games,'' Embry said. ``He's reading the matchups the right way, and not trying to force anything.''
The 7-foot-3 Ilgauskas has struggled on offense because of his own state of mind in the playoffs -- missing open shots and conceding that he has been nervous. Defensively, the Pistons rarely have an inside, low-post game. It makes little sense for Ilgauskas to be on the court in key parts of the game because he will appear slow and out of position on defense.
Instead, the quicker Varejao has stunned the Pistons with his rebounding, defense and fierce drives to the basket.
The Cavs have won games by scores of 121-120 and 114-113 over the Wizards and by 86-77 and 74-72 over the Pistons.
``That says a lot,'' Embry said. ``They can win either style. That's why I really think they can upset Detroit. They are getting better all the time.''
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

5/17/06

NBA PLAYOFFS

Varejao helps get Cavs back even in series

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

James Walker
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

<!--PHOTOS--><TABLE class=phototableright align=right border=0><!-- begin large ad code --><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE align=center><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle>

</IMG> </TD></TR><TR><TD class=credit width=200>ED SUBA JR . AKRON BEACON JOURNAL </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cutline width=200>Anderson Varejao (17) took a charge against Chauncey Billups that helped the Cavaliers hold on to win Game 4 Monday. </TD></TR><TR><TD align=middle>

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CLEVELAND — In the Cavaliers’ two victories that evened their Eastern Conference semifinal series against Detroit at two games apiece, reserve Anderson Varejao was the irritant that got under the Pistons’ skin.
Varejao and LeBron James have paired to become the Cavaliers’ catalysts, particularly in the fourth quarter when Cleveland has dominated Detroit for three straight games.
Varejao is averaging 11.7 points and 5.2 rebounds in this series, but it has been his knack for making the big play that has helped the Cavaliers get back into the best-of-seven series.
With the Cavaliers ahead by one point Monday, Varejao took a crucial charge against Chauncey Billups with 29.6 seconds remaining that gave Cleveland possession and helped seal the victory.
"He has about the quickest feet of any guy that I know that is 7 feet, or 6-10 and some hair," Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said. "He’s great … and he’s a very smart basketball player."
Besides his nonstop energy and hustle, there isn’t one aspect of Varejao’s game that really stands out. But he does a lot of things well.
In this series, he has been able to finish strong at the basket (shooting 67 percent) and play well defensively against Detroit forward Rasheed Wallace.
Wallace, who suffered an ankle injury Monday but is expected to play tonight, was held to 3-of-13 shooting from the field and seven points in Game 4.
Pressure cooker

For the first time this postseason, the Pistons are starting to look tight, which baffles coach Flip Saunders.
The Pistons have a veteran group that specializes in winning close games, but that wasn’t the case the past two games. Cleveland has taken advantage of Detroit’s poor play in the second half to overcome deficits of 10 and seven points.
"We’ve played more not to lose than we played to win," Saunders said. "We haven’t been as aggressive, we just haven’t been as sharp in some things we’re doing."
Meanwhile, Cleveland’s confidence is growing. The Cavaliers will have to win at least one game on the road to take the series, but with momentum on their side, they at least believe in the possibility.
"We found out something about ourselves, that we can be competitive in this series," guard Damon Jones said. "We can come up with a game plan to do things against those guys on both ends of the floor that will give them problems. I don’t think we have figured it all out yet, but we have done enough to get the series 2-2."
Free throws

The Cavaliers attended the funeral for Larry Hughes’ younger brother, Justin, yesterday morning in St. Louis. Hughes did not travel with the team to Detroit, and Brown said there is still no timetable for his return. ... Tickets are on sale for Game 6 on Friday in Quicken Loans Arena.
[email protected]

 

[Piney]

That being said, if we win game 5, I think we have enough momentum coming home to the Q, which has aboslutely exploded as of late, and take the series. However, if the series goes to 7 games, I don't really like our chances with the game being in Detroit.

Actually, I would not want to be a Pistons fan if this series goes 7 games. Detroit's home court advantages disappears because of one fact. Game 7s in Playoff Series is where legends are born, and who is the best player in this series . Game 7 would give Cleveland the punchers chance it needs and all we need is for LeBron to go OFF for a 30+ pts and a triple double and bye bye home court.

Still, my biggest question is Larry Hughes. Is he coming back? When? And if he comes back how do you start him with all he has been through?

 

[exhawg]

Still, my biggest question is Larry Hughes. Is he coming back? When? And if he comes back how do you start him with all he has been through?

If Hughes does come back today or Friday I don't know how you can throw him right back into the starting lineup. I think it would be better to bring him off the bench for a game to get his feet wet. On the bright side Murray isn't providing a lot of offense right now so as long as Hughes can play D he should do ok.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

Actually, I would not want to be a Pistons fan if this series goes 7 games. Detroit's home court advantages disappears because of one fact. Game 7s in Playoff Series is where legends are born, and who is the best player in this series . Game 7 would give Cleveland the punchers chance it needs and all we need is for LeBron to go OFF for a 30+ pts and a triple double and bye bye home court.

Still, my biggest question is Larry Hughes. Is he coming back? When? And if he comes back how do you start him with all he has been through?

I have heard that he might not be back for the rest of the playoffs. I think eventually tho, he will want to play, and play for his brother.

 

[WestEnd]

I have heard that he might not be back for the rest of the playoffs. I think eventually tho, he will want to play, and play for his brother.

Where did you hear this? My gut feeling is that he'll be back for game 6 on friday. If he doesn't make it to game 6, and the series goes 7, then he'll definately make it back for game 7. Either way you definately bring him off the bench and don't throw him right into the mix too quick, which is what I think Brown will do.

I'm also going to have to agree with Piney in terms of the game 7 talk ... if it goes 7, all bets will be off - it won't automatically be "advantage pistons" just because they're at home. They won't be as fresh (considering their short bench) nor will they have The King on their side. The longer this series goes, the more I see the pistons playing scared and the cavs playing confident.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

Where did you hear this? My gut feeling is that he'll be back for game 6 on friday. If he doesn't make it to game 6, and the series goes 7, then he'll definately make it back for game 7. Either way you definately bring him off the bench and don't throw him right into the mix too quick, which is what I think Brown will do.

I'm also going to have to agree with Piney in terms of the game 7 talk ... if it goes 7, all bets will be off - it won't automatically be "advantage pistons" just because they're at home. They won't be as fresh (considering their short bench) nor will they have The King on their side. The longer this series goes, the more I see the pistons playing scared and the cavs playing confident.

It was being thrown around on the Cavs message board. NOt sure how credible it was, just what is being said. I don't envision him playing tonite and maybe not game 6. HIm and his bro were real close and he is going to take time to greif.

 

[Brutus1]

No Hughes tonight. I'm not sure about Friday.

They'll just have to keep tightening the screws on defense.

I wonder if Z or Gooden made the trip to Detroit.

 

[crazybuckfan40]

No Hughes tonight. I'm not sure about Friday.

They'll just have to keep tightening the screws on defense.

I wonder if Z or Gooden made the trip to Detroit.

Sad but true.

 

[jwinslow]

a light-hearted prediction

 

[jlb1705]

His face is in his jersey because he doesn't want you to see him laughing at you and Sheed... Yet.

 

[jwinslow]

refs are already out to get the pistons :p

 

[jlb1705]

Well, up to the first timeout, LeBron's missed a dunk and threw up an airball, and there have been a couple other missed layups. Cavs lead though, because Z is (finally) asserting himself down low on both ends of the floor. The Cavs are getting good looks.