The Cavaliers took a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series against Washington last night. They won 109-102, and they didn’t look good doing it. Sure, they had spurts of greatness….like Drew Gooden scoring 15 points in a 5-minute span, or LeBron James hitting 13 fourth-quarter points….but it was not a complete playoff performance.
And the Cavs still won.
Washington’s shooting percentage improved by 6 points from Sunday.
And the Cavs still won.
The Wizards turned the ball over 5 times. Only 5 times.
And the Cavs still won.
LeBron James shot 36% from the floor.
And the Cavs still won.
Most of the above stats would condemn a team to death in the playoffs. Cleveland had an average game, while the Wizards played better than most expected, yet the Cavaliers took the 2-0 lead. I’m not going to be foolish and say that the Cavs are on their way to the Finals….not with play like this.
But they can use this first round to work out the kinks in their play, get ready for the Nets or the Raptors. Not the most ideal thing to do for a playoff team, but it sure beats peaking too soon.
And when the second round arrives, as long as we keep rebounding like last night, we’ll be juuuuust fine.
I have to believe that. I’m a Cleveland sports fan.
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Oh, and by the way….I have courtside seats to a second-round playoff game at The Q. It’s with the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known. To top it all off, it’s a first date.
God dammit, Cavs, don’t screw this up for me.
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