Game Tips at 10:30 pm ET
Detroit Pistons: 21-40 (7-23 road)
Cleveland Cavaliers: 48-14 (26-4 home)
Oppo Research
Are the Cavaliers returning to the days of being the LeBrons? Yes, they've won five in a row, but Shaq is out, Antawn Jamison has been lousy from outside, and the guy continues to have to do just about everything.
Fortunately, if you're a Cleveland fan, LeBron can do just about everything. The guy is rocking a 31 and 10 since the beginning of February, and has a very good chance of knocking off Michael Jordan for the best Player Efficiency Rating in the history of the sport.
The issue, for Cleveland, is the offense/defense balance between Anderson Varejao and Jamison. The thing is, Varejao has been the more efficient offensive player, even has his minutes have slipped. During the Cavs' win streak, he is shooting better than 70%, averaging 13 points and 8 rebounds in just 24 minutes of play.
But that's all stuff for
Mike Brown to worry about. It will take a Yeoman's effort for the
Pistons to avert utter disgrace tonight on ESPN. Cleveland is a team locked and loaded for a championship run.
The Drama
Keys for Detroit
Force LeBron to be a jump shooter -- His all-star game performance, where he nearly gave away the game in a desperate attempt to win the individual MVP award, indicates that he has not yet left behind the "win it all myself mentality".
Attack the inside -- No Shaq, no Big Z, and less Varejao means more opportunities inside. I wouldn't mind seeing big minutes for Jason Maxiell tonight.
Play Daye - Seriously. Come on. This franchise is about the future.
Question of the Game
There are too many to count, but I think it is fair now to wonder whether this team has checked out. The Pistons just got blown out by a Knicks team that had just gotten blown out by the Cavs. That's problematic.
Valuable Links
Bored? Fear The Sword.
