|
|
The Cavaliers are indeed developing some consistency as the preseason wears on, just not the sort they want.
After another strong third-quarter comeback, the Cavaliers wilted down the stretch
and dropped their third consecutive preseason game, this time 95-90 to the lowly
Los Angeles Clippers. It was all too similar to Thursday, when a dominating
third period went to waste in a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Those issues will be addressed below, but first the immediate positive and what seems to be one on the minds of most fans -- one LeBron James. Despite the total absence of atmosphere in the Staples Center -- the game started at 4:30 p.m. L.A. time and, thus, just a few hundred souls made the opening tip -- James had his best offensive game of the young season. Ticketmaster
He led the Cavaliers (2-3 in the preseason) with 16 points, which is his career
high, and also had four assists. He played point guard for several stretches
and made a few open jumpers and made some meaningful drives for baskets and
fouls.
"When he was at the point he was more aggressive and more assertive,"
Coach Paul Silas said. "But he had some turnovers at some inopportune times."
Ah, there's the rub. James gave it away seven times, also a career high, including
three costly ones in the fourth quarter, as the Clippers pulled away. He was
far from alone, the Cavaliers turned the ball over 22 times leading to 21 Clippers
points. Five turnovers came in the fourth quarter. Ticketmaster
All five starters scored in double figures, but they weren't all in the game
at crunch time. For the second night in a row, Zydrunas Ilgauskas fouled out
and wasn't available when needed the most. Ticketmaster
"I expected better, especially from my main guys," Silas said. "This
is going to be a long process. We have to learn how to finish games and we certainly
don't know how to do that yet."