Game 82 | Cavs at Hawks | Apr 14th 2010 | 8:00pm EST

[Rise Against]

vs.

Shaq could play with LeBron in finale

Shaquille O'Neal has been cleared to return, leaving Coach Brown to wonder if his two stars should play together in Wednesday's finale at Atlanta before the playoffs start over the weekend.

James doesn't care whether he plays against the Hawks. He has enjoyed the time off and will meet with Brown and his teammates before a decision is reached.

The Cavaliers have made major adjustments to their starting lineup twice this season -- both spawned losing streaks. They lost their first two games of the season while working in newcomers O'Neal, Moon and Anthony Parker. They lost their first two with Antawn Jamison after he was acquired from Washington at the trade deadline.

Cleveland doesn't have time for extended losing streaks in the playoffs while working O'Neal back into the rotation. The starting lineup Cleveland plans to use for the playoffs -- Parker, James, Jamison, O'Neal and Mo Williams -- were together for just three full games before O'Neal tore a ligament in his thumb on Feb. 25.

O'Neal's right hand was taped Monday as he left the court without speaking to reporters. James said during Sunday's national telecast between the Magic and Cavaliers that O'Neal has lost 20 pounds during his time off.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5079197


Last game of the regular season...





Just a reminder:

Once the playoffs begin, I'll be starting a discussion series for all the rounds, and will be making all the game threads. Any objections and what not, just let me know.

[LBJ]

Go Cavs Go!! I still wonder what Shaq did to lose that many lbs in this short amount of time.

[gino_giode]

Are the Cavs going to take this game seriously? I'm asking this in the context of the whole Atlanta/Boston 2nd round series. Do the Cavs really want the Celts, or they hoping for the path of least resistance once again?

[TheOUTLAW]

Personally I disagree that Boston is the path of least resistance.

[gino_giode]

Personally I disagree that Boston is the path of least resistance.

Play seriously to beat the Hawks, Boston beats Chicago, both teams tie record-->Boston wins tiebreaker-->3rd seed and .: Cavs will face Hawks in 2nd round HENCE Path of least resistance.

[kenneth9265]

Personally I disagree that Boston is the path of least resistance.

Play seriously to beat the Hawks, Boston beats Chicago, both teams tie record-->Boston wins tiebreaker-->3rd seed and .: Cavs will face Hawks in 2nd round HENCE Path of least resistance.

Well since you put that way, it actually make sence...I am down with that!

[Benedict_Boozer]

I think we beat either BOS or ATL. Doesn't make a difference to me really. ATL would probably be the slightly easier match-up.

[Rise Against]

Play seriously to beat the Hawks, Boston beats Chicago, both teams tie record-->Boston wins tiebreaker-->3rd seed and .: Cavs will face Hawks in 2nd round HENCE Path of least resistance.

That is the way I hope things will pan out.. Definitely try to have Boston face Orlando in the second round, because the Magic would just breeze past the Hawks.

[L&H_05]

Yea, it would be nice not to play Boston... However, how sweet would it be to smash the Bulls, knock off Boston, beat Orlando and then get to the Finals... I wish the Spurs would get there...

Bulls
Celtics
Magic
Spurs


Revenge for all 4 franchises in one playoff run.....

[Niko23]

Looks like well play Boston boyz

[Benedict_Boozer]

Looks like ORL has the tougher 1st round draw and we have the tougher 2nd round draw.

Personally I'm just glad we didn't match up with CHA, Jackson just ABUSED Parker and Gerald Wallace plays Lebron well. With Tyrus Thomas hopping around tossing all of Jamison's floaters, etc. etc. That would have been a rough series.

I'm fine with how things ended up.

[Dupp]

atlanta probably would have been the easier match up but we shouldnt have many problems beating the celtics and it'd that much sweeter beating them.

[Rise Against]

It looks like Atlanta has locked up the 3rd seed, and Boston will be in the 4th. Now, I doubt the Hawks will be playing their starters in the season finale..

Mike Brown says there's ''good chance'' LeBron won't play at Hawks on Wed. He's not sure about Shaq and other regular starters

Daniel Gibson (personal reasons) out at Hawks tomorrow. Sebastian Telfair (illness) also may not be available.

Bulls beat Celtics. If CHI wins tomorrow at CHA they will play Cavs. If Bulls lose and Raptors beat Knicks at home, Cavs play Raps.

[tundraknight]

Finally the last game of the regular season!

I hope Telfair will wake up today feeling better so he can play.

And how many games has Gibson missed this season because of personal reasons? Not that it matters though since he never gets PT anway.

[tidho]

I'm a little nervous about sitting everybody again. Its not like Chicago is incapabl of beating us. We should play the starters tonight...at least for a half.

[gflem]

As long as I see Shaq out there for 15-20 minutes I will be happy. It doesnt matter to me who else plays. Although I would have liked to see Gibson get some run as well.

[Rise Against]

This game is pretty much meaningless. Hawks are sitting 4 of their 5 starters and Jamal Crawford isn't playing. Shaq, LeBron, and Jamison won't be playing either, but Telfair is.

[kenneth9265]

With Shaq and Lebron out, It will all be up to Telfair to get tonight win!

But seriously, I am very worried about being rusty when playoff time comes. I know we can win the series against chicago, but, the Cavaliers have anywhere from 4 to 7 games to get their chemistry together before the much tougher second round opponent (most likely boston). This is the Cavs' Playoff/Championship to win this time.

[and1GS]

Don't worry about being rusty, the Cavs should be fine. LeBron and Shaq are the type of players that won't let extended breaks knock them off their rhythm.

[kenneth9265]

we are down four, 38 to 42 bulls will 2:55 in the game