....................................................................................................................................................................................• NBA TV • WTAM 1100 •
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18-9»
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__________________ Game Notes ____________
◘ Cleveland (20-8) acquired the 15-time All-Star hoping he'd be the last piece to help lead it to its first championship, but so far he's looked like little more than a highly paid role player. O'Neal is averaging 10.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and shooting 50.3 percent -- all career lows -- in the Cavaliers' half-court offense.
◘ After going 24-4 through 28 games last season and outscoring their opponents by an average of 13.0 points, the Cavaliers have outscored the opposition by 5.0 points per game in 2009-10. O'Neal makes his return to Phoenix coming off a tough offensive night. He was 1 of 7 and tied a season low with five points Sunday as the Cavaliers lost 102-95 in Dallas to the Dirk Nowitzki-less Mavericks.
◘ Cleveland didn't have any problems offensively when Phoenix visited Quicken Loans Arena earlier this month. The Cavaliers jumped out to a 57-29 halftime lead en route to a 107-90 victory, with all 10 rotation players scoring between eight and 14 points. O'Neal had 12 points and nine boards in 20 minutes.
◘ Dating to last season, the Suns have won 19 straight at home since a 119-111 loss to Cleveland on March 12. James had a triple-double -- 34 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds -- while Williams had 30 points. Williams has averaged 28.3 points during the Cavaliers' three-game winning streak against Phoenix.
Don't have a good feeling about this one.. But here is something to make us feel better.
