OGT: Utah Jazz (14-27) @ Cleveland Cavaliers (22-20)

[VengefulAngel]

Remodeled by two trades and buoyed by the return of LeBron James, the resurgent Cleveland Cavaliers hope to continue playing up to their lofty expectations.

After starting their four-game homestand with an impressive performance, the Cavaliers look to make it four straight wins Wednesday night against a Utah Jazz team trying to avoid its fourth consecutive road defeat.

Cleveland (22-20) has quieted questions surrounding first-year coach David Blatt's job security by getting back on track following a 1-9 stretch in which James missed eight consecutive games.

The four-time MVP now says he's feeling better than he has all season, averaging 31.8 points and 7.0 rebounds in four games since recovering from knee and back soreness.

After scoring 89.1 per game on 39.4 percent shooting over their previous seven, the Cavaliers have averaged 110.8 points with James back to the lineup. They put up at least 108 for the third straight game in Monday's 108-94 win over Central Division-leading Chicago, improving to 21-12 when James plays.

"I like the way we've been the last few games," said James, who missed Tuesday's practice with flu-like symptoms. "I like the way we've played the last week. We've played some really, really good basketball."

Cleveland followed up an impressive 126-121 road win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday by holding the Bulls to 37.5 percent shooting.

Kyrie Irving had 18 points and 12 assists and Kevin Love returned after missing a game due to back spasms, but it was the Cavs' new acquisitions that especially stood out. Timofey Mozgov had 15 points and 15 boards in his first home game, while J.R. Smith hit 6 of 9 3-pointers.

Smith has averaged 17.0 points and hit 20 of 47 (42.6 percent) from 3-point range in six starts since arriving in Cleveland. The other former Knick the Cavaliers acquired, Iman Shumpert, is back at practice and could return as early as Friday against Charlotte from a dislocated shoulder that's sidelined him since Dec. 12.

Although the Jazz (14-27) have held their last two opponents under 90 points, they're looking to rebound from their lowest-scoring effort in nine years in Sunday's 89-69 loss at San Antonio.

Rudy Gobert had 13 points and a season-high 18 rebounds, but Gordon Hayward was held to 10 points on 4-of-15 shooting. They were the only two Utah players in double figures in a season-worst 33.3 percent shooting effort.

Derrick Favors was held to nine points in the team's fourth defeat in five games after averaging 20.7 in his previous six. Trey Burke finished with eight after scoring 19.3 per game over his prior six.

"We couldn't throw it in the ocean," said Hayward, who had 31 points in Friday's 94-85 home win over the Los Angeles Lakers that snapped a three-game losing streak.

Hayward had 21 points and hit the winning 21-foot jumper as time expired in Utah's 102-100 home win over the Cavs on Nov. 5. He's averaged 21.3 while making 7 of 13 from beyond the arc in his last three meetings.

Irving led Cleveland with 34 points in that contest and has scored 26.7 per game in the last three versus Utah -- also producing the lone triple-double of his career in a 99-79 home victory in February.

James is averaging 29.7 points -- his top mark versus any Western Conference opponent -- in 22 career matchups, though his teams have lost six of the past nine.

Should be a blowout.

[Xiao Yao You]

Not a blowout if Gobert gets big minutes and Lebron is out.

[VengefulAngel]

Not a blowout if Gobert gets big minutes and Lebron is out.

Lebron was always playing, he missed Tuesdays practice but took part in shootaround.

[G0ATbe]

Hayward will beast if LeBald is guarding him

[MARK HENSON]

LEBRON WILL TEAR HIS ACL TONIGHT:lebroncry:

[JebronLames]

blowout

[MARK HENSON]

blowout


why DID YOU JOKE AND LET DALLAS BEAT YOU!:lebroncry:

[shmozzle]

Wow. This officiating.

[DukeDelonte13]

cavs are sloppy as f*ck on the defensive glass tonight.

[JebronLames]

JR smith continuing to play well

[RedBlackAttack]

Totally different team with TiMo on the floor. Nothing comes easy around that rim anymore.

[VengefulAngel]

JR smith continuing to play well

JR has got great range, even when he's shooting poorly he has great floor gravity. Provides a lot of space for Lebron.

[DukeDelonte13]

Totally different team with TiMo on the floor. Nothing comes easy around that rim anymore.


Timo is seemingly getting into his groove.. He's getting comfortable at a quicker rate than I anticipated.

[DukeDelonte13]

Wow what a block. I think that the rest of the team is really starting to feed off of Mozzy's defensive presence.

[I<3NBA]

LEBRON WILL TEAR HIS ACL TONIGHT:lebroncry:
the only thing that would be torn would be your vajayjay

[RedBlackAttack]

Wow what a block. I think that the rest of the team is really starting to feed off of Mozzy's defensive presence.
It's funny, because as much individual talent as you can have, it is still important to not just have good glue guys, but the right glue guys. I'm seeing exactly why the Cavs have been hot after Timo since the summer. His skillset is perfect for this team.

And, yes... he's making every aspect of our defense better. Hell, we've totally changed the strategy with him on the floor. We now have a guy that the action can be funneled to without fear of getting an easy basket.

Utah is struggling to even get into their offense. Insane how much difference one guy can make. This is the same team that made our defense look like the Washington Generals a month ago. Can't wait to add Shumpert to this group.

Loving it.

[JebronLames]

the only thing that would be torn would be your vajayjay
MARK HENSON is out for tonight's game with a torn rectum.

[AnaheimLakers24]

Hayward outplaying bran

[G0ATbe]

Holy sht:roll: :roll: :roll:

[StrongLurk]

Over/Under 70 percent free throw shooting for Bran this season?

[Lexington Steel]

12 seasons in, and this goofball is still airballing free throws? :roll:

[Kingwillball]

Hayward outplaying bran


Hayword 7,2,0 < Lebron 12,5,4

[plowking]

What are all my fellow Heat fans doing in these Cleveland game threads?

[VengefulAngel]

What are all my fellow Heat fans doing in these Cleveland game threads?

Watching both games.

[edrick]

Hayward outplaying bran

The ****. :biggums:

[Lexington Steel]

Who let this borderline retarded commentator call all of the Cavs games? Jesus Christ. He has to have some sort of illness, right?

[G0ATbe]

And that's not LeBalds first time airballing ft's. He's done it multiple times.:facepalm

Pathetic.

[Trollsmasher]

Mozgov hit with some BS calls:facepalm

If he was a random black 7 footer "next Hakeem" like Hibbert, they wouldn't have called it.

[Trollsmasher]

good call by LeBron

[Dave3]

:roll: :roll: :roll: HE PUSHED'EM

[Warfan]

Bran shooting under 60% from the line since he came back :facepalm Oh, and now he's a ref :oldlol:

[JebronLames]

Bran shooting under 60% from the line since he came back :facepalm Oh, and now he's a ref :oldlol:
knee and back injuries.

[JT123]

And that's not LeBalds first time airballing ft's. He's done it multiple times.:facepalm

Pathetic.
At least Bron has the balls to play more than once a week. :lol

[StrongLurk]

Gonna be surprised if Lebron doesn't average a career high in turnovers this season.:facepalm

[StrongLurk]

Kyrie to Mozgov :bowdown: Love to Lebron:bowdown:

[VengefulAngel]

Lebron looks athletic out there.

[Kingwillball]

A nice team effort by Cavs getting contributions from everybody..

[StrongLurk]

Lebron Abdul-Jabbar:eek: :bowdown:

[StrongLurk]

DA WHOLE CAVS TEAMMMM:eek: :applause: :bowdown: :rockon: :pimp: :cheers:

[NoGunzJustSkillz]

these cavs announcers are ****ing annoying.

[Kingwillball]

Different Cav team than from a week ago even..

[navy]

Box score watching, but Jr Swish has the highest plus minus on the floor. Who is this guy? :roll:

[StrongLurk]

That was the sickest "team" play all year

[pauk]

Beautiful teamplay and love the defensive effort.

[Kingwillball]

Box score watching, but Jr Swish has the highest plus minus on the floor. Who is this guy? :roll:


Kind of a weird stat cause I would say Lebron,Love and Mozgoc all have had better games but Smith has been a great fit so far in Cleveland.

[navy]

Kind of a weird stat cause I would say Lebron,Love and Mozgoc all have had better games but Smith has been a great fit so far in Cleveland.
He's shooting bad, but not in a net negative way.

[StrongLurk]

Got damn JRRRRR. What the *** is the Cavs team on this game?

[Cocaine80s]

If JR can keep this up would he still be better off the bench?

[Leftimage]

Cavs team since Lebron's return + the trade =

http://gifcrap.com/g2data/albums/TV/Jack%20Nicholson%20fapping.gif

Lebron/Kyrie/Love/Mozgod/JR/Shump/Blatt
I'm seeing a threepeat on the horizon. Not even joking.

[chosen_one6]

If JR can keep this up would he still be better off the bench?

Yes. Iman has to be a starter because Kyrie couldn't guard anyone to save his life.

[RedBlackAttack]

Damn. I love watching Mozzy play. He's freaking huge. I'm pretty sure I could get an open shot in the NBA coming off of one of his screens.

[navy]

Cavs team since Lebron's return + the trade =

http://gifcrap.com/g2data/albums/TV/Jack%20Nicholson%20fapping.gif

Lebron/Kyrie/Love/Mozgod/JR/Shump/Blatt
I'm seeing a threepeat on the horizon. Not even joking.
They'll be lucky to win one like every team. Next year should be all in. Absolutely no excuses.

[RedBlackAttack]

Kyrie is playing some serious defense lately. Great to see.

[VengefulAngel]

They'll be lucky to win one like every team. Next year should be all in. Absolutely no excuses.

They'll win one ring, don't think it will be this year though.

[navy]

They'll win one ring, don't think it will be this year though.
You never know. Good amount of luck goes into winning a ring. Inexperience this year, buzzsaw team next. Maybe lebron declines enough after that, who knows. Injuries, coaching, hot streaking team of destiny. No guarantees in the league.

[RedBlackAttack]

We are just a week out from this being a total cluster f#ck. Now, people are ready to crown them three-peat champions. :oldlol:

Settle down, guys. It's a long season.

[Hey Yo]

Damn. I love watching Mozzy play. He's freaking huge. I'm pretty sure I could get an open shot in the NBA coming off of one of his screens.
double double, machine

[Trollsmasher]

5 more TOs:facepalm

[Trollsmasher]

5 more TOs:facepalm
:coleman:

[Leftimage]

We are just a week out from this being a total cluster f#ck. Now, people are ready to crown them three-peat champions. :oldlol:

Settle down, guys. It's a long season.

You kind of have to turn the page on what the Cavs have shown us so far, though. Radically different team now. To me it feels like the proper core has now been established. Good for now & the foreseeable future.

I guess what I'm saying is that this squad has officially entered '"no excuses mode'

[navy]

5 more TOs:facepalm
:roll:

[Kingwillball]

All 5 starters have 15 or more points.. :applause:

[Trollsmasher]

:roll:
didnt expect him to get 2 more in 20 seconds:biggums:

[MJistheGOAT]

Borderline contenders this year

Clear cut favorite next one. Then??? no clue

[Trollsmasher]

Mozgov with 40 minutes:biggums:

Blatt gotta to tone that down a bit, especially in a blowout like this or he is going to end up as new Thibs

[RedBlackAttack]

Kyrie with 5 steals, 4 assists, 0 turnovers. :applause:

LeBron chipped in with another 4 steals and JR had 3. Throw in Mozzy's 2 blocks, and these are leading to easy, fastbreak points.

That's when this team is really scary.

[El Kabong]

I often feel like slapping Trey Burke when he decides to shoot the ball. It's a shame Exum isn't ready yet otherwise I'd be praying they ship Burkes out.

[SpaceJammeR]

can't wait to see iman shumpert.

[magnax1]

When cavs fans point to beating Utah as evidence of the Cavs progression, you know it's bad.

[Leftimage]

can't wait to see iman shumpert.

Same here, and in terms of personality JR, Iman & Lebron seem to mesh ... laidback, jolly kinda guys. I thnk they'll get along well on and off the court - JR will be kept in check by the other two.

[StrongLurk]

Bron average 6 turnovers the last 5 games:facepalm. Honestly getting tired of hearing how he always makes the right play, considering a lot of turnovers come from the fact that he doesn't want to take a certain shot and overpasses. He really should be taking 2-3 more midrange shots a game and he wouldnt have these ridiculous turnovers.

[VengefulAngel]

Bron average 6 turnovers the last 5 games:facepalm. Honestly getting tired of hearing how he always makes the right play, considering a lot of turnovers come from the fact that he doesn't want to take a certain shot and overpasses. He really should be taking 2-3 more midrange shots a game and he wouldnt have these ridiculous turnovers.

He's bail out passing way too much, its so predictable. Just take the open 18-20ft shot.

[Meticode]

What makes me sad is that Andy isn't out there. Maybe we can keep this core together if they keep playing well until next season?

Mozgov/Varejao
Love/Thompson
LeBron/Marion
Shumpert/Smith
Irving/Dellevedova

[Trollsmasher]

What makes me sad is that Andy isn't out there. Maybe we can keep this core together if they keep playing well until next season?

Mozgov/Varejao
Love/Thompson
LeBron/Marion
Shumpert/Smith
Irving/Dellevedova
Matrix is retiring

[Meticode]

Matrix is retiring
So he says.

[Hoopz2332]

He's bail out passing way too much, its so predictable. Just take the open 18-20ft shot.


most of his turnovers are mishandle passed to big men in traffic. The only guy on the Cavs with the hands to catch them was Andy.

[DukeDelonte13]

When cavs fans point to beating Utah as evidence of the Cavs progression, you know it's bad.


Eh, for what it's worth good teams should be beating up on inferior teams. Bad teams lose games against teams with inferior talent.

Cavs have lost games this season to the Jazz, Kings, 76ers, etc. They have definitely had their issues.

Mozgov, JR, and the return of Lebron have definitely rejuvenated this squad. They are playing with so much more energy.

[Lebron23]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6QoMsXLBOM

Kevin Love with an excellent outlet pass to LBJ with a reverse dunk.

[toneloc103]

What makes me sad is that Andy isn't out there. Maybe we can keep this core together if they keep playing well until next season?

Mozgov/Varejao
Love/Thompson
LeBron/Marion
Shumpert/Smith
Irving/Dellevedova

id rather have a better backup to Kyrie.. delly is garbage to me

[RedBlackAttack]

When cavs fans point to beating Utah as evidence of the Cavs progression, you know it's bad.
It's not about the one game. It is about how the team looks since a rejuvenated LeBron returned and Mozgov and Smith were added. That includes wins against the Clippers on the road in the second night of a back-to-back and a thorough beatdown of Chicago a couple nights later.

Stomping Utah just helps solidify that this is now a dangerous team. Good teams should dominate bad teams. That's exactly what happened... and that had not been the case earlier in the season for the Cavs.

Things aren't "bad" right now. They're actually looking really good, especially with Shumpert debuting tomorrow night.