Cavaliers Barely Beat The Heat 84-76

Posted by Jeff Sack under Main

The Cleveland Cavaliers are limping their way into the NBA Post Season as they had way too tough a time Sunday securing what should have been an easy victory over the Miami Heat by the too close for comfort score of 84-76. Cleveland actually trailed heading into the fourth quarter, to the team with the worst record in the Association. It was one thing to lose to a dysfunctional Chicago Bulls team on Friday night, at least their is talent on their roster. The Miami Heat would have a tough time defeating right now NCAA Champions Kansas. To trail this team heading into the final 12 minutes does not bode well for a long stay in the playoffs for the defending Eastern Conference Champions.

I am not a betting man, nor do I particularly like making predictions. Even for someone who follows professional sports as much as I am required to do for my profession, predictions are at best educated guesses. There are for too many variables for it to be otherwise. I truly respect successful handicappers, I could not see myself living too well, if that is how I made my living!? All that being said, it does not take a fortune teller to be able to read these tea leaves.? Fourth seed or fifth seed, if the Washington Wizards, and the Cleveland Cavaliers keep playing the way they are finishing up the regular campaign in the first round of the playoffs, look for Cleveland to be heading home at the end of that series. The Wizards are playing their best ball of the season right now, while the Cavaliers have gone 4-6 in their last 10 games. The Wizards in the best of times are a tough match up for Cleveland. The Cavaliers as they are presently playing will not present a challenge to Washington.

Miami had the edge at the end of the first quarter as they led 21-19 at the end of the period. The Heat couldn’t score in the second quarter as they got just 17 points, and Cleveland led at the half by a slim 40-38 margin. In the third quarter the tables turned as the Cavaliers were the team that scored just 17 points, and?Miami led going into the final?quarter 59-57.? Cleveland finally woke up in the fourth as they outscored the Heat 27-17 to make?the final score look respectable.

Delonte?West was the high scorer for Cleveland with?18 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, in the Cleveland victory. Zydrunas Ilgauskas recorded a double-double with 14 points, 14 boards, 1 block, 1 assist, LeBron James also registered a double-double, scoring 13 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal.? Devin Brown scored 10 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, Anderson Varejao scored 10 points, coming off the bench, 4 rebounds.

Former?Cavalier Ricky Davis led the way for Miami as he scored 17, points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals. Earl Barron scored 13 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, Daequan Cook also scored 13 points, 5 rebounds. Miami improves to 14-66, Cleveland is now 44-36.

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