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Cleveland Cavaliers [29-24] @ Indiana Pacers [21-32]
| Wednesday, February 19 2008 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Conseco Fieldhouse | 7:00 pm ET |
| TV: FSIN, FSOH | Radio: WIBC 1070





GAME NOTES

LeBron James followed up an All-Star game MVP performance with a triple-double, but the Cleveland Cavaliers couldn't come away with a win.

The Indiana Pacers, though, should remember the superstar's previous triple-double.

Making his first start against Indiana since recording a triple-double three months ago, James leads the Cavaliers against the Pacers on Wednesday night.

Cleveland's superstar forward finished with 27 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, nearly joining Michael Jordan in 1997 as the only player to have a triple-double in the All-Star game, as the Eastern Conference won 134-128 on Sunday in New Orleans.

James earned his second All-Star MVP award in three years.

In the Cavaliers' first game following the break on Tuesday, they wasted a triple-double from James in a 93-85 loss to Houston. James had 26 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists for his fifth triple-double this season and 15th of his career.

"We've got to continue to just get better," James said. "The best thing about this league is we have another game (Wednesday)."

James' previous triple-double came against Indiana (21-32) on Nov. 25. He finished with 30 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists as Cleveland (29-24) posted a 111-106 victory.

The only game James has appeared in without starting this season was in the Cavaliers' second contest against the Pacers, a 118-105 win on Dec. 11. James had 17 points in 22 minutes after missing his previous five games with a finger injury, helping the Cavaliers extend their winning streak over the Pacers to five games.

Indiana hasn't beaten Cleveland since a 97-87 victory on Nov. 24, 2006. Two of the Cavaliers' wins during their run against the Pacers have been on the road, where they have won two straight and nine of 13 overall.

The Pacers, meanwhile, have lost six of their last seven at Conseco Fieldhouse, giving up 108.6 points per game. Indiana, which will be playing its first game since the All-Star break, has lost nine of 11 overall.

Rest of Preview - http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview;_yl ... 2008022011

INDY STAR PREVIEW

The Indiana Pacers are stuck, and it won't be easy to wriggle back into contention, according to one Hall of Fame player.

The Pacers (21-32) are 11th in the Eastern Conference but just two games out of a playoff spot going into tonight's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Conseco Fieldhouse.

"The Pacers find themselves stuck in the middle," ESPN analyst Bill Walton said earlier this week. "They are right there in the mix of things for a playoff spot, but they aren't that good of a team. They don't have a point guard, they don't have a player in the paint and they don't have a go-to player."

To the everyday fan, the Pacers' easiest solution would be to blow up the current roster -- beginning with making a deal before Thursday's 3 p.m. trade deadline -- and start from scratch.

As enticing and simple as hitting the refresh button sounds, it's not that easy -- for the Pacers, at least. Team president Larry Bird can't just pick up the phone and unload his highest-salaried players because they're either hurt, have had off-the-court issues or are underperforming. He can't swap them for younger, less expensive talent because the salaries being exchanged must nearly match.

Any trade conversation involving the Pacers begins with Jermaine O'Neal. The Pacers and O'Neal have been trying to end their eight-year relationship for some time, but O'Neal's health and contract -- two more years, $44 million due after this season -- remain stumbling blocks. O'Neal has been slowed by knee injuries, again, and hasn't played since Jan. 16. He recently started doing on-the-court work, but his return date is not known.

Full Indy Star Preview - http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a ... 8/SPORTS04



STARTERS


Larry Hughes (12.1ppg) - Newbie (4.4ppg) - Ilgauskas 13.6ppg, 9.4rpg) - Gooden (8.4rpg) - James (30.2ppg, 7.4apg)


Travis Diener (6ppg) - Danny Granger (17.8ppg) - Jeff Foster (8.5rpg) - Mike Dunleavy Jr (17.3ppg) - Troy Murphy (10.7ppg, 7rpg)

TOP RESERVES


Damon Jones (6ppg) - Sasha Pavlovic (7.3ppg) - Daniel Gibson (47% 3p%, 11.5ppg)


Marquis Daniels (8ppg) - Kareem Rush (8.7ppg) - Ike Diogu (6ppg, last game 14pt)

INJURIES

Cleveland-
Anderson Varejao - Sprained left ankle - OUT
Sasha Pavlovic - Sprained left foot - DTD

Indiana
Jermaine O'Neal - Bone bruise, left knee - OUT
Jamaal Tinsley - Sore left knee - OUT
Travis Diener - Foot injury - DTD

TEAM COMPARISON

Team - Record Standings PF PA Road/Home Streak L10
Cleveland 29-24 2nd Central / 5th East 97.0 - 98.4 Road 14-14 Lost 2 5-5
Indiana 21-32 4th Central / 11th East 102.5 - 105.1 Home 10-15 Lost 2 2-8

LAST MEETING
Indiana 105
Cleveland 118
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2007121105

TRADITION CONTINUES
















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Isn't Tinsley suppose to come back tonight?

No, I don't think he's ready.

That blonde from first cheerleader pic is gorgeous.

DGrangeRx33 wrote:That blonde from first cheerleader pic is gorgeous.

haha yeah

I figured i'd add a few more pics in this game thread since today/tomorrow could be a bit of depressing.... (depending what Bird does). lol

This one could get ugly. The Cavs are coming off a loss so they will be ready.

Nice thread, hopefully it'll be a nicer game.

PacerPerspective wrote:Nice thread, hopefully it'll be a nicer game.

I'm inbetween. I really want a nice draft pick but I miss the playoff intensity so bad.

DGrangeRx33 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

I'm inbetween. I really want a nice draft pick but I miss the playoff intensity so bad.

I'm not too sure. If i know we're getting much help, ala Pietrus, Harrington, Miller or whatever, then i say let's win tonight and get a head start on the finish to the season. If we're staying the same or dealing Jeff Foster for a pick, young player and filler and that's it... then yeah i hope we start losing for the pick.

13-11 early on and i can already tell you my pacesetter of the game will be Granger. He's dominating and playing GREAT defensivly.

Granger makes 2 free throws, FYI just learned this today on espn, with those FT, Granger has made 57 of his last 59 free throws.

How was that no foul on Lebron? He basically tackled Dunleavy. wtf.

Diogu in early... people getting their wish.

awesome job grang33r

What a steal by Granger! Too bad he missed that layup but Daniels gets the rebound. 21-18.... we look solid. Diogu is playing strong in the 2 minutes he's been in. Solid boxing out, solid defense and 2-2 from the line.

Think Diogu gets early nod as audition for Memphis?

ps. those who just tuning in, David Harrison is also OUT from our lineup tonight with a leg injury. They just announced it on the telecast. I didn't include him on the injury report.

DGrangeRx33 wrote:Think Diogu gets early nod as audition for Memphis?

OMG, when he came in, i told my brother who's sitting next to me, "i wonder if their just trying to showcase him"... lol

I wonder what kind of deals where being offered,andbody heared any good ones the night b4 the deadline?

TSC25 wrote:I wonder what kind of deals where being offered,andbody heared any good ones the night b4 the deadline?

I havn't heard anything new today. I'm starting to wonder about that Pietrus trade though. Last i heard was i was reading other forums and a radio station in Toronto mentioned that Pietrus might go to Toronto for Juan Dixon and Joey Graham. Like what is that about? How could we be mentioned to deal them JO for Pietrus AND just Harrington, O'Bryant and the $10 mil TE?

James DOMINATED once Granger left.....

Just shows how good Granger is. 7 of James' 9 pt came with Danny sitting.