Cavaliers Team Report
GETTING INSIDE
Never before in his career has Shaquille O’Neal(notes) been such a non-factor offensively. He’s averaging just 8.4 field-goal attempts a game. His 10.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 51 percent shooting from the field are career lows. But you’re not going to hear any complaints from the aging superstar.
“Nobody wants to see a 37-, 38-year-old man take 20 or 30 shots,” he said. “LeBron (James) is going to take most of the shots. I accept that role.
“If I was 27 or 28, I’d probably have a problem with that. That’s how it is now. He’s the man. He’s going to take most of the shots.”
Just because his attempts are way down, it doesn’t mean he’s playing poorly. That’s anything but the case.
“I still think he’s a dominant force for us,” Cavs coach Mike Brown said. “It shows up in a lot of different ways.
“He’s accepted the role that he’s accepted. He has a pretty good head on his shoulders.”
Cavaliers 106, Hawks 101: Cavaliers forward LeBron James(notes) got the ultimate birthday present. Teammate Anderson Varejao(notes) buried the first three-pointer of his career with 17.2 seconds left to spark the Cavs’ victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs (26-8) ran their winning streak to six games in a row, in addition to 11 of the last 12.
But it was anything but easy.
The Hawks (21-10) extended their lead to 17 points, 69-52, early in the third quarter. Things looked extremely bleak for the Cavs, who beat the Hawks on back-to-back nights. The Cavs fought back and took their first lead of the night, 94-93, on James’ driving lay-up with 4:41 remaining.
But the biggest shot came in the waning seconds. With the score tied at 101, the Cavs’ possession broke down. Guard Mo Williams(notes) was trapped at the top of the key with the shot clock winding down. He found the 6-foot-11 Varejao, who stepped behind the three-point line and converted the 25-footer for a 104-101 advantage. It was his first three-pointer in 18 career attempts.
James, who scored 48 points, had a staggering night while playing all but four minutes of the game. He made 15-of-23 from the field, 4-of-6 from the three-point line and 14-of-16 from the foul line. He added 10 rebounds, six assists, two steals and two blocks.
Varejao was outstanding, as well, with 14 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.
“Their will was unbelievable,” Cavs coach Mike Brown said. “It was the difference in the ball game.”
NOTES, QUOTES
• Quicken Loans Arena has become one of the toughest venues to play in the NBA. Since the 2005-06 season, the Cavs are 140-39 (.782) at home. Only the Dallas Mavericks at 147-33 (.817) have a better home record in that span. The Cavs are an Eastern Conference-best 13-2 this season.
• F LeBron James finally won a game on his birthday after three previous losses. He celebrated his 25th birthday on Wednesday against the Hawks. James’ 13,975 points is by far the highest by any player before turning 25 years old. His 3,425 assists are second to Detroit’s Isiah Thomas’ 4,066. James ranks 16th in rebounds. He’s averaged 35.3 points per game on his birthday, which is the highest ever in games on a player’s date of birth. Former Atlanta forward Dominique Wilkins is second at 32.7, followed by Chicago’s Michael Jordan at 31.5. Cavs center Shaquille O’Neal has the NBA record for the most points scored on his birthday with 61 in March 6, 2000.
Quote To Note: “There was one second. All I could do is shoot the ball and I’m glad it went in. No, I wasn’t the primary option.”—F Anderson Varejao, on his late three-pointer, which led to the Cavs’ victory.
ROSTER REPORT
Rotation: Starters—Point guard Mo Williams, Shooting guard Anthony Parker(notes), Small forward LeBron James, Power forward J.J. Hickson(notes), Center Shaquille O’Neal. Bench—Forward Anderson Varejao, Center Zydrunas Ilgauskas(notes), Guard Delonte West(notes), Forward Jamario Moon(notes), Guard Daniel Gibson(notes).
Player Notes:
• F LeBron James is catching and shooting more than he ever has in his career.
“I’m doing more of that,” he said. “I’m more comfortable with my shot. You work as hard as you do in the offseason to implement it in a game. I can attest to that.”
• The Cavs are 5-0 against C Shaquille O’Neal’s former teams this season (Orlando, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami and Phoenix twice).
• C Shaquille O’Neal has taken on a role of mentor with the Cavs.
“I have a lot of secret conversations with (F LeBron James) like Pat Riley and Phil Jackson had with me,” O’Neal said. “I like to put it in father terms. LeBron is that kid who gets all A’s that never gets in trouble. You don’t have to discipline him.”
Medical Watch:
• F Leon Powe(notes) (ACL left knee, microfracture surgery left knee) will miss the first half of the season recovering from the surgeries. He’s expected to return in January or February. He started doing some court work in the last week.
