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Find out the scoop on the CAVS from award-winning sports writer Bob Finnan.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Game 49: Pacers at Cavs

INDIANA PACERS (19-27) 117, CAVS (8-41) 112
at Quicken Loans Arena
RADIO/TV: WTAM/Fox Sports Ohio


WHAT HAPPENED The Cavs had a chance to snap their 22-game losing streak on Wednesday, but could not close out the game. I think I've written that identical phrase about a dozen times this season.

Guard Ramon Sessions had a monster game - 25 points and nine assists - but still makes some terrible decisions in the most inopportune times.

His pass to J.J. Hickson - a 90 mph fastball - went as a turnover for the Cavs center in the waning seconds. He was too close to Hickson for it to have the velocity that it did. But, still, Hickson should have caught it.

Sessions had three turnovers in 41 minutes.

Other than that, he had a good game, a very good game. Still, his decision-making needs to improve.

Swingman Christian Eyenga made Pacers forward Danny Granger work hard for his 23 points. He was 5 of 13 from the field. Granger, if you recall, averaged 29.3 points in the three previous wins over the Cavs this season.

He's actually the first Cavs player to make him work all season. Eyenga appears to be a keeper.

The Pacers have won five in a row against the Cavs, including their last three at The Q.

Coach Byron Scott is contemplating whether to insert veteran Anthony Parker into the starting lineup at shooting guard in place of rookie Manny Harris. Why exactly he's thinking of doing that, I don't know. I have to tell you I vehemently disagree with that line of thinking.

Harris is one of the few players worth watching on this team, along with Eyenga. Harris is averaging 19.7 points in his last three games. He's riding a high right now. His confidence is soaring. Why mess with that?

Isn't the rest of the season about trying to develop the rookies, which also includes Samardo Samuels. It's not about developing Parker, who is 35 and in the last year of his contract.

STARTERS
SF Christian Eyenga (6-5, 210) vs. Danny Granger (6-9, 228)
PF Antawn Jamison (6-9, 235) vs. Josh McRoberts (6-10, 240)
C J.J. Hickson (6-9, 242) vs. Roy Hibbert (7-2, 260)
SG Manny Harris (6-5, 185) vs. Mike Dunleavy (6-9, 230)
PG Ramon Sessions (6-3, 185) vs. Darren Collison (6-0, 170)
INACTIVE LIST
Cavs – C Anderson Varejao, F Leon Powe, G Mo Williams.
Pacers – G Lance Stephenson, G Brandon Rush, C Solomon Jones.
OFFICIALS
Dick Bavetta, Curtis Blair, Tony Brown.

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