CAVS - 6.5 TOMORROW AGAINST Toronto

[Cornerback]

Cavs have first place locked up and home court advantage throughout the playoffs. Varejao will sit this out, shaq isn't back yet, lebron will see less minutes and bench players will get greater playing time. This game means nothing to the Cavs and everything to the Raps.

I'm booking it now before the public catches on that the Raps will not give this away easily and neither will the Cavs put maximal effort in.

[bookie]

This looks like a good place to do a wait-and-see. Often in these situations home team jumps out with the intention of resting players 2H. So if Cleveland is up by more than five you'll get extra line value and a desperate team vs. Cleveland's stagnant second unit second half. If Toronto makes a game of it from the get go, pass and look elsewhere.

[williams22]

You know you're a degenerate if you bet this game. There's been no word as to who is and isn't playing for the Cavs yet. I was chatting with Boobie Gibson last night and he didn't know who would be playing, but Mike Brown talked to him yesterday and told him to be ready to play today.

[ikamoku]

cavs under 205.5

[1UP]

In case you haven't heard, Mike Brown takes the Colts philosophy of sitting your players when you have nothing left to play for. Half of Cleveland's regular rotation will probably sit out. I've seen LeBron, Jamison, Mo Williams, and Anthony Parker already as possible coach's decisions tonight. Varejeo will not play, and Toronto is pretty much healthy again.

You're asking Cleveland to lay 7 points? No thanks.

[PAULYPOKER]

You know you're a degenerate if you bet this game. There's been no word as to who is and isn't playing for the Cavs yet. I was chatting with Boobie Gibson last night and he didn't know who would be playing, but Mike Brown talked to him yesterday and told him to be ready to play today.

iT'S SIMPLE AS THIS: If the starters play they shave and lay and Toronto covers. If starters don't play Toronto wins outright.Bottom line Toronto and the points is like taking candy from a baby

[williams22]

Mo Williams just said everyone is playing tonight in an interview.

[williams22]

Also noteworthy, the Cavs would much rather face Chicago than Toronto in the first round. They also don't want there to be any chance of Charlotte falling to 8th. This makes tonight's game have some importance to the Cavs.

[PAULYPOKER]

Also noteworthy, the Cavs would much rather face Chicago than Toronto in the first round. They also don't want there to be any chance of Charlotte falling to 8th. This makes tonight's game have some importance to the Cavs.

Cavs could careless who they play first round, their real worry is the Magic,last I heard they were having nightmares at least 3 to 5 times a week

[2daBank]

Cavs could careless who they play first round, their real worry is the Magic,last I heard they were having nightmares at least 3 to 5 times a week

they damn sure dont wanna play Char(believe that, not that they cant beat them but would be a much tougher series)....not sure it matters between chi and tor but i think i would believe what williams has to say on the subject

[williams22]

Cavs could careless who they play first round, their real worry is the Magic,last I heard they were having nightmares at least 3 to 5 times a week

They could care less? They went 1-3 against Charlotte. Charlotte is only ahead or Toronto by 2 games. Also, Toronto present the same difficult matchups that Orlando does (lots of shots, untraditional PFs) and I'm sure the Cavs would pick Chicago to be the 8 seed over Toronto if they could.

[williams22]

Let's put it this way, it would very much be in the Cavs interest to win tonight and lose on Thursday.

[thespeculator]

the raptors are the most lifeless team i have ever seen, they have no heart or fire,, on top of that a moron for a general manager who actuallly like to quote the fact they were 20-10 between december and january( i don't remember the exact dates),big deal, they need a roster overhaul big time

[PAULYPOKER]

They could care less? They went 1-3 against Charlotte. Charlotte is only ahead or Toronto by 2 games. Also, Toronto present the same difficult matchups that Orlando does (lots of shots, untraditional PFs) and I'm sure the Cavs would pick Chicago to be the 8 seed over Toronto if they could.

All they can see is Magic and their Peripheral vision is limited to this size

[williams22]

All they can see is Magic and their Peripheral vision is limited to this size

Of course the Magic are going to be their biggest test, but that doesn't mean they don't care about the first two rounds.

The Cavs will beat the Magic in 5 this year, fyi.

[williams22]

"With Cavs having clinched, I'm taking cue from LeBron and am on hiatus for next 2 games. Mary Schmitt Boyer to provide coverage & tweet here" - Brian Windhorst

Not sure if that means Lebron is taking the next 2 games off or if he's referring to when it happened earlier this year.

[PAULYPOKER]

The Cavs will beat the Magic in 5 this year, fyi.

This is a statement in which could only come from a die hard fan but is not reality, sure they can get the Magic monkey off of their back this year but it is no guarantee FYI

[williams22]

This is a statement in which could only come from a die hard fan but is not reality sure they can get the Magic monkey off of their back this year but it is no guarantee FYI

If you watched the way the Cavs dominated the first two meetings this year (ignore the third meeting, too many strange circumstances there) you would see where I'm coming from. Also, if Lebron's 4th quarter energy last game was an indication of what he's going to be like in the playoffs I don't think any team can get more than 1 win against the Cavs.

[tealish]

I don't think any team can get more than 1 win against the Cavs.

If they meet in the Finals, you don't think the Lakers can even see a Game 6? Really?

[PAULYPOKER]

I'm a Cavs fan as well only because of King the freak James though but only time will tell

[zigomanisinsider]

If you watched the way the Cavs dominated the first two meetings this year (ignore the third meeting, too many strange circumstances there) you would see where I'm coming from. Also, if Lebron's 4th quarter energy last game was an indication of what he's going to be like in the playoffs I don't think any team can get more than 1 win against the Cavs.

didint everyone say this last year look what happen in playoffs

[williams22]

If they meet in the Finals, you don't think the Lakers can even see a Game 6? Really?

No, I'm much more scared of Orlando than LA. The Cavs can force LA into into a tough defensive battle and LA can't win those kind of games, they aren't tough enough. The Cavs bullied them in the two meetings this year. I'm pretty sure LA's frontline still has nightmares of Varejao running all over the place.

Also, one of the Cavs biggest flaws is PG defense...but you don't have to worry about that with Fisher.

[zigomanisinsider]

what make the cavs so much better this year then last year last year they had better record they went 40 1 at home

[williams22]

didint everyone say this last year look what happen in playoffs

Umm, no? Did you watch last year? The Cavs had a horrible record against the top teams, especially Orlando. Everyone who knows basketball knew that Orlando was a nightmare matchup for Cleveland last year. This year is an incredibly different situation.

[PAULYPOKER]

No, I'm much more scared of Orlando than LA. The Cavs can force LA into into a tough defensive battle and LA can't win those kind of games, they aren't tough enough. The Cavs bullied them in the two meetings this year. I'm pretty sure LA's frontline still has nightmares of Varejao running all over the place. Also, one of the Cavs biggest flaws is PG defense...but you don't have to worry about that with Fisher.

Now this I can agree with cause the roles are REVERSED in this scenario meaning Lakers have nightmares of the Cavs at least 3 to 5 times a week

[williams22]

what make the cavs so much better this year then last year last year they had better record they went 40 1 at home

Again, have you actually watched the Cavs play this year compared to last? They had NO depth last year and couldn't handle teams with stretch 4s. They now have Shaq to handle Howard and Jamison to handle Lewis. They couldn't guard either of those guys last year.

The Cavs have a worse record this year because they faced a lot more adversity. It took 10-15 games for Mike Brown to figure out his rotations and for the new guys to get comfortable. They also lost 3 in a row when the Jamison trade happened (Jamison was new, Z was gone, Mo was hurt, etc.). They lost another because Lebron sat out a game.

[MUHerd37]

Wouldn't it be a smarter bet to just bet Cavs -3 1st half? Lebron's minutes are gonna be getting cut. Those minutes tho will be cut from the 2nd half and not the 1st right???

[jjgold]

Pass, this player will not bet game.

[tealish]

No, I'm much more scared of Orlando than LA. The Cavs can force LA into into a tough defensive battle and LA can't win those kind of games, they aren't tough enough. The Cavs bullied them in the two meetings this year. I'm pretty sure LA's frontline still has nightmares of Varejao running all over the place. Also, one of the Cavs biggest flaws is PG defense...but you don't have to worry about that with Fisher.

I think, if anything, this year's edition of the Cavs is better suited to handle Orlando. Shaq, even just to plug up space down low, will neutralize Howard who is useless outside of 5 feet from the basket.
But the Lakers will not go out in 5. I'm not necessary saying the Cavs cannot be argued as the favorites, but don't disrespect the reigning champs by saying this thing's over without a Game 6.

[PAULYPOKER]

Wouldn't it be a smarter bet to just bet Cavs -3 1st half? Lebron's minutes are gonna be getting cut. Those minutes tho will be cut from the 2nd half and not the 1st right???

This doesn't sound bad

[williams22]

I think, if anything, this year's edition of the Cavs is better suited to handle Orlando. Shaq, even just to plug up space down low, will neutralize Howard who is useless outside of 5 feet from the basket.
But the Lakers will not go out in 5. I'm not necessary saying the Cavs cannot be argued as the favorites, but don't disrespect the reigning champs by saying this thing's over without a Game 6.

The Cavs have a way of forcing Kobe to go into "old Kobe" mode and try to win the game himself, which is almost always a detriment to the team. The only two Lakers who pose any problems for the Cavs are Odom and Gasol, but even they don't worry me much. First of all, Gasol will only score with jumpers, as he is too soft to bang down low with Varejao, Shaq, Z, and Hickson. Second, I know those two guys will never combine for more than 25 shots a game, thanks to Kobe. I'll say the Cavs win in 5, 6 at most.

[jayc88]

just took raptors +6 and under 206 ,
wont get any of these numbers in a few minutes

[sportfan]

smell an upset tonight, craptors win SU

[gabbysabe]

I like the cavs today

[hels]

I think the Cavs will have their starters play the first 6-9 minutes of each half and the final 2-3 minutes of the 1st and then coach's decision for the rest of the 2nd half.... likely not playing them as there are 3 scenarios:
1) Cavs blowing Raps out
2) Tight game
3) Raps blowing Cavs out

The only way they coudl go back in is situation 2. However, that's when the game gets it's roughest and a smart coach would do anything possible to avoid key injuries/bumps/bruises/risky situations. You never know what's going to happen in the playoffs either so giving the bench some key playing time is certainly worthwhile.

Something else to remember is that the Raps know they'll be playing the Cavs if they make the playoffs. IF Jay Triano was smart he would start a player like Nestorovic to lay some bigtime fouls on LBJ. You think the Cavs wouldn't notice their key players getting targeted and take them out to avoid potential risk. I know if I was a coach that's how I would go about it. Play as physical as possible with Lebron and go from there.