Woeful first half seals the Cavaliers' fate as Pistons breeze to an easy win.
View full sizeAntawn Jamison is beaten to the ball by Detroit's Ben Gordon during the second quarter of Wednesday's game at The Q.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Final observations from the Cavaliers 103-94 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night at The Q:
Here's what I'd like to see: Some yelling _ by coaches at players and by players at players. Some food thrown around the locker room. Some Gatorade thrown at a whiteboard. Something broken in anger.
I would like to see any evidence that this pathetic, gutless team has a heartbeat or any sign of life. I see none. After a shameful showing that was an affront to anybody who works for a living, I see guys walk out of the locker room with food, heading to the rest of their evenings. Nobody's embarrassed. Nobody's inconvenienced. Nobody seems to care.
I know they're professional basketball players. I know they can't be spanked or sent to bed without their dinners. But it would be nice to see some sort of investment on their part because right now it looks like they're just collecting paychecks, paychecks they have not earned.
Final: Pistons 103, Cavs 94. The pathetic Cavaliers actually sunk to a new low with a stunningly gutless performance to tie the all-time professional sports record of 26 straight losses set by the 1976-77 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
You may recall that when John McKay, the coach of that team, was asked about his offense's execution, he said, "I'm in favor of it.''
Cavs fans heartily agreed in the wake of Wednesday's debacle. Though the Cavs briefly were within three points in the third quarter, they were never actually in the game. Antawn Jamison had 22 points, and Ramon Sessions 20 points and 12 assists. The Cavs are an NBA worst 8-45 and have lost 36 of 37 games, including 11 straight at home.
Rodney Stuckey dominated Daniel Gibson and had 22 points for Detroit, now 20-33, in spite of playing the second night of a back-to-back after losing to San Antonio Tuesday at Auburn Hills, Mich.
Third quarter update: Pistons 81, Cavs 70. Antawn Jamison, who made just one of seven shots in the first half, made his first four in the third quarter to get the Cavs within 59-55. But these Cavs cannot maintain their focus long enough to stay close. They had six more turnovers, 16 through three quarters. Rodney Stuckey has 21 points for Detroit and is dominating Daniel Gibson.
Halftime update: Pistons 55, Cavs 43. When you've lost 25 straight games, it's hard to believe you actually can look worse, but the Cavs are absolutely pathetic tonight.
Heartless, with a 23-16 deficit on the boards, and headless, with 10 turnovers for 13 Detroit points. They seem to have no interest in the proceedings, nor does the mostly silent crowd. Which raises the question: why are they all here?
First quarter update: Pistons 25, Cavs 16. Detroit used an 11-0 run to pull out to a 23-14 lead. Ryan Hollins played a great three minutes, with two fouls and a technical that led to three points for Detroit. Oh, and he was also called for offensive interference.
Byron Scott said he wanted to keep Pistons out of the paint. Well, 16 of their 25 points were inside. So much for that idea.
Cavs starters: F Christian Eyenga, F Antawn Jamison, C J.J. Hickson, G Anthony Parker, G Ramon Sessions.
Pistons starters: F Tayshaun Prince, F Ben Wallace, C Greg Monroe, G Ben Gordon, G Tracy McGrady.
Injuries: Leon Powe (right knee surgery), Anderson Varejao (torn tendon, right foot) and Mo Williams (left hip flexor strain) are out for Cavs. Richard Hamilton (groin) and Chris Wilcox (groin) will be game-time decisions for Detroit. Jonas Jerebko (partially ruptured right Achilles tendon) and Terrico White (broken right foot) are out for Pistons.
Inactives: Powe, Varejao and Williams for Cavs. Jerebko, DaJuan Summers, White for Pistons.
Officials: Ed Malloy, Matt Boland, Violet Palmer.
Three things to watch
1. Can Cavs keep the Pistons out of the paint?
2. How different does Detroit look with Tracy McGrady running the point?
3. Which will have the greater impact for Detroit -- fatigue from losing to San Antonio on Tuesday night or fear of being the team that ends the Cavs' losing streak?
Source: http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2011/02/cavs_vs_pistons_mary_schmitt_b_1.html
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