Blogs > Cleveland Cavaliers Blog

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

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Game 53: Cavs at Pistons

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (20-33) 93, DETROIT PISTONS (22-30) 89
The Palace of Auburn Hills
Wednesday
Radio/TV: WTAM (1100 AM)/Fox Sports Ohio

WHAT HAPPENED?: There's only one bad thing about the Cavs' four-game winning streak. They will now sit for five days before they return to practice Monday night at Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Unlike him, Cavs coach Mike Brown said he wants each of his players to stay active during the break.

"Hopefully, everyone does something over the break, and they don't go home and eat food like I'm going to do," he joked.

Like the rest of the team and staff, he was in a jovial mood after the game. For the first time in a long time, they are having fun on the court.

I have to be honest with you, the way this game started, it looked like the Pistons were going to blow the Cavs right out of The Palace.

Their bigs were just dominant early on, especially Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond. Josh Smith picked it up as the game wore on.

Tyler Zeller was having problems with Drummond. Tristan Thompson couldn't handle Monroe. The Pistons were just getting every rebound.

But the Cavs came to life in the second half. Thompson was playing out of his mind in the fourth quarter with 14 points and seven rebounds. When Drummond got in foul trouble, Thompson's intensity picked up even more.

At that point, he couldn't be stopped. He had three dunks and a layup in the fourth. I don't know if I've ever seen him play as well, especially against a very good frontcourt.

He's been very good the last two nights with Anderson Varejao sidelined with a back injury. Thompson averaged 20.5 points and 14 rebounds in the last two games.

He ended with a season-high 25 points and 15 rebounds against the Pistons.

The Cavs trailed in all but the last 2:06 of the game. The Pistons had a three-game winning streak snapped.

Cavs forward Anthony Bennett, coming off his first career double-double against Sacramento on Tuesday, was held to two points and two rebounds in 15 minutes.

Such is the life of a rookie. He shouldn't let that get him down, though. He's been playing his best basketball of the season in the last week. This kid is going to be a player.

UP NEXT: The Cavs travel to Philadelphia at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Wells Fargo Arena.

STARTERS
SF Luol Deng (6-9, 220) vs. Josh Smith (6-8, 225)
PF Tristan Thompson (6-9, 236) vs. Greg Monroe (6-11, 250)
C Tyler Zeller (7-0, 250) vs. Andre Drummond (6-11, 279)
SG Jarrett Jack (6-3, 200) vs. Kyle Singler (6-8, 225)
PG Kyrie Irving (6-3, 193) vs. Brandon Jennings (6-1, 169)
INACTIVE LIST
Cavs - C Anderson Varejao, G Carrick Felix
Pistons - C Josh Harrellson, F Tony Mitchell, G Peyton Siva
OFFICIALS
Joe Crawford, Eric Lewis, Josh Tiven

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home