Cavs Almost Get Clipped To End Road Trip

The Cavaliers final game of an extended road trip out West proved to be somewhat of a wakeup call. For most of the game it was as if the Cavs were sleep walking their way through the game. Their offense lacked any rhythm at all for most of the game (except when LeBron took an early break with two quick fouls, which made the stand-and-watch-LeBron offense an impossibility), and their defense played as if they had never seen a pick-and-roll in their life…..always slow to the shooter. Then with about eight minutes left in the game, it was as if the Cavaliers said “damn, we’re about to lose this game if we don’t step up!”…..and “step up” they did. With some tenacious defense, and some timely shooting, the Cavaliers escaped Los Angeles with a one-point win over a Clippers team that beat the Cavaliers in almost every statistical category…..except points-scored.

Clippers shooting guard, Rasual Butler had a career night against the Cavaliers, hitting shots from all over the floor, even with a Cav draped all over him. He finished with 33 points. For the Cavaliers, LeBron James once again led all scorers with 32 points. To me, it was Delonte West who was probably the MVP of the game though. West was solid on defense when it counted, made some clutch shots, and did a nice job running the point against the up-tempo Clippers. JJ Hickson also made an impact late in the game, with a steal, a second-chance basket, and a block, during a short sequence midway through the fourth quarter.

The star of the game…. at least for the final six seconds…..was Jawad Williams. After a missed three-pointer from Anthony Parker, the Clippers got the rebound and took a timeout with six seconds left. The Clippers had been hurting the Cavs with jump shots all game, so everyone knew the type of shot LA would be attempting to win the game. Jawad Williams came into the game for Mo Williams, obviously to add some height to defend the outside shot. The defensive substitution ended up being exactly what was needed. The Clippers got the ball to Baron Davis on the right wing, Jawad Williams rushed to get a hand up in front of his shot, and Davis’ shot hit the front of the rim and fell into the welcoming arms of the Cavaliers. LeBron James celebrated with Williams, as the Cavaliers were on the better side of a one-point win, after losing a heart breaker to Utah only a couple nights before.

The Cavaliers finally return home and now will face the Raptors on Tuesday night, and will play host to the Lakers on Thursday night. After a 3-2 road trip, it will be good to have them back at The Q.

Tags: Delonte West, Jawad Williams, JJ Hickson, LeBron James