Game Preview: Cleveland Cavaliers at Phoenix Suns

by PHXgp on Jan 12, 2012 11:41 AM MST in Phoenix Suns: Game Coverage

Next Game

Cleveland Cavaliers
@ Phoenix Suns

Thursday, Jan 12, 2012, 7:00 PM MST
US Airways Center

WHEN: 7 PM MST

LISTEN: 620 KTAR

WATCH: FSAZ+

VEGAS ODDS: SUNS +7

Complete Coverage >

The Matchup

Tonight the Suns play host to the Cleveland Cavaliers, a team that so far looks vastly improved from last year's dismal 19-63 squad with the lowest efficiency differential (-9.3) in the league. The Cavs are now 4-5, however, and are coming to Phoenix having lost the last 3 of four games on the road.

The Suns have won the last 2 of three, with Tuesday's well-documented and lamented loss to the ~~Kobe-led~~ Lakers the notable exception. The Suns look to bounce back against a Kyrie Irving and Antawn Jamison-led Cavs squad, who are allowing the least fast-break points in the league and are the definition of an okay team at 16th overall in efficiency differential.

The New Arrival

For Phoenix, a little lineup shakeup is in order with the arrival of Michael Redd, who has been working with the Suns training staff to get himself into "game shape". The Suns' need for a go-to and late-game scorer could be met in the low-risk acquisition of Redd, but only time will tell. He'll likely take a few minutes from Jared Dudley and more minutes from Shannon Brown as he finds his way onto the floor tonight.

Click the jump for some more tidbits.

			FG			3PT			FT			Rebounds			Misc
	G	M	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	M	A	Pct	Off	Def	Tot	Ast	TO	Stl	Blk	PF	PPG
Antawn Jamison	9	30.1	6.6	15.7	41.8	1.2	4.2	28.9	2.3	4.1	56.8	1.1	4.9	6.0	0.9	1.3	1.0	1.3	2.4	16.7
Kyrie Irving	9	26.8	5.8	13.0	44.4	0.9	2.6	34.8	3.1	3.6	87.5	0.7	2.8	3.4	5.1	2.9	0.6	0.7	2.9	15.6
Ramon Sessions	9	21.9	2.9	8.3	34.7	0.7	1.9	35.3	3.9	4.6	85.4	0.3	3.3	3.7	4.8	1.9	0.6	0.0	1.3	10.3
Anderson Varejao	9	30.7	4.0	7.8	51.4	0.0	0.0	0.0	1.4	2.7	54.2	4.4	5.8	10.2	1.6	1.1	1.7	0.6	2.8	9.4
Alonzo Gee	9	26.7	3.0	6.0	50.0	0.7	2.1	31.6	1.7	2.2	75.0	1.1	2.3	3.4	2.3	1.7	1.4	0.2	2.1	8.3
Tristan Thompson	9	18.0	3.3	6.2	53.6	0.0	0.0	0.0	1.2	3.0	40.7	1.8	2.8	4.6	0.2	1.4	0.3	1.6	2.3	7.9
Daniel Gibson	9	24.6	2.8	6.4	43.1	1.8	3.4	51.6	0.6	0.6	100.0	0.4	2.4	2.9	1.1	0.7	0.8	0.6	1.4	7.9
Anthony Parker	9	24.1	2.8	7.0	39.7	1.2	3.8	32.4	0.4	0.4	100.0	0.2	2.3	2.6	2.0	0.7	0.8	0.3	0.9	7.2
Omri Casspi	9	20.7	2.3	6.2	37.5	0.8	2.7	29.2	0.9	1.1	80.0	1.0	1.3	2.3	1.3	1.4	0.6	0.2	2.2	6.3
Samardo Samuels	6	14.2	1.7	3.5	47.6	0.0	0.0	0.0	2.7	3.8	69.6	0.7	1.8	2.5	0.2	2.2	0.8	0.2	3.2	6.0
Luke Harangody	3	2.7	1.3	2.0	66.7	0.3	0.7	50.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	1.0	1.0	0.3	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	3.0
Ryan Hollins	4	12.3	0.5	2.5	20.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	1.0	1.0	100.0	0.8	1.3	2.0	0.3	1.0	0.0	1.0	0.8	2.0
Semih Erden	2	10.5	0.0	1.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	1.5	3.0	50.0	0.0	1.0	1.0	0.0	1.0	1.0	0.0	2.5	1.5
Christian Eyenga	1	1.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Mychel Thompson	1	2.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	1.0	1.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0

A quick look at the Cavaliers shows some interesting (read: tough) matchups for the Suns. Top overall draft pick Kyrie Irving, who is quickly picking up this whole "NBA thing", presents a tough matchup for Steve Nash defensively. Steve has been known to torch rookie guards again and again on the offensive end, but he's also given up career high scoring numbers to young, strong point guards in the past. Ronnie Price could be extremely valuable in this regard, and we could see him coming in at SG to guard Irving.

Anderson Varejao has been strong as usual, posting career highs so far this season in both rebounding (10.2) and in scoring (9.4 ppg). Marcin Gortat, on the other hand, has been playing reliably well and should be able to handle Varejao with his recently healed finger injury.

After Tuesday's loss, expect the Suns to come out firing on all cylinders, with Nash continuing to distribute the ball effectively (understatement) and Markieff Morris continuing his MVP-candidate year (overstatement). We'll get our first look at Redd and see if Shannon Brown can improve his shot selection.

So far we've been able to beat the teams that deserve to be beaten. This would include the Cavs so let's do it again! Let's win.

See you all in the Game Threads!

GAME DAY LINKS

Cavaliers at Suns Complete Coverage

Phoenix Suns prepare for daunting road trip (AZ Central)

Phoenix Suns in need of transition 3-pointers (Coro/Tuscon Citizen)

Pounding the Rock Game Preview

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Comments

Good preview, GP

For the life of me, I can’t figure out this Cavs team…ON paper they look like a 10 win squad but there record is nearly .500. It’s obvious that they come to compete each and every night. We can’t take these guys lightly and we have to execute. Let’s do it Suns…!

STAT may be gone but the Suns will rise....! BTW, If positivity is a crime, I plead guilty by reason of T-Bird...!

by Daryl Ray on Jan 12, 2012 12:37 PM MST reply actions

that’s true and I see that with Anderson Varejao…he’s a hustler if there ever was one. They play hard and they’re getting better game by game for sure.

Crashing the [message] boards from the swamps of Louisiana, and blogging Phoenix Suns!

by PHXgp on Jan 12, 2012 1:00 PM MST up reply actions

Two words

Anderson Varejao. He’s totally underrated, as a big who has no defensive weakness. PnR, postup, he can defend it all.

Everyone of the Cavs players not named Antawn has been efficient this year. They are doing everything at about a league average level. oRtg – 14. dRtg – 16. DRB % – 10th. ORB% – 9th. Got to http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2012.html and and pretty much every category the Cavs are between 13 and 18th. They do nothing great, but nothing poorly, and that is a solid method for being, well, close to average.

by MMotherwell on Jan 12, 2012 3:33 PM MST up reply actions

Yeah but Varejao ain't exactly know as an offensive juggernaut...neither is anyone else on this squad.

He plays his ass off, but bottom line: He ain’t a franchise center and there’s nobody else on this team that people lust after. Here’s the truth-The Cavs leave it on the court and overachieve….If the Suns want to beat this team they better come to play.

STAT may be gone but the Suns will rise....! BTW, If positivity is a crime, I plead guilty by reason of T-Bird...!

by Daryl Ray on Jan 12, 2012 5:46 PM MST up reply actions

A 10 win squad!?!

With two first round picks from this year? Get outta here.

"Fuck this shit. Is this fucking season over yet? It is? Jesus H. motherfucking Christ on a stick! Get Nick Holt on the phone NOW! Stupid motherfucker forces us to score touchdowns on every possession, and we still can't win the Alamo Bowl? Hey, asshole! It's Steve Sarkisian. You're fucking FIRED, you FUCK!"

by WaveOcean on Jan 12, 2012 6:24 PM MST up reply actions

Sup Wave

you feel’n pretty good about the Cavs this year?

"Love me or hate me. Its one or the other…always has been. Hate my game, my swagger. Hate my fade-away, my hunger. Hate that I am a veteran, a champion. Hate that. Hate it with all your heart and hate that I am loved for the exact same reasons." – Kobe Bryant

don't even say it Ray

by 2NASHTY on Jan 12, 2012 6:28 PM MST up reply actions

Cavs are looking much better than last year

And yet…I want them to tank this season. Because I don’t want the Cavs to put the burden of bringing the team back solely on Kyrie and Tristian. The Cavs need more pieces from the draft. Especially when the Cavs front office is so inept.

So yeah. You’d better beat us if you know what’s good for you.

by WaveOcean on Jan 12, 2012 6:31 PM MST up reply actions

The team desperately needs a wing player.

A center would also help.

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com

I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.

by Omaha Sun on Jan 12, 2012 8:42 PM MST up reply actions

nice to see you 2NASHTY

what are you hoping the Suns will do this season?

by WaveOcean on Jan 12, 2012 6:32 PM MST up reply actions

Suns - don't underestimate Cavs.However it is game You should win.

So far we see many surprise. Strong teams lost some game. If the Suns think about playoffs they have to win this game. Step by step.

by roby07 on Jan 12, 2012 12:43 PM MST reply actions

curious about Redd

With low miles in the past three seasons this makes him what, 8 -9 seasons in the NBA? Hope this and desire to play again makes another great comeback story.

by rdgroce on Jan 12, 2012 1:36 PM MST reply actions

We've resurrected the injured before.

He might just be our next “Grant Hill” project.

by lixuec on Jan 12, 2012 1:53 PM MST up reply actions

I'll hopefully be joining you fine folks (and Eric) by the start of the 2nd quarter.

Their PG duo is going to be a handful. Irving and Sessions are both good players. Fortunately, though, their wing situation is worse than ours.

Go Suns, Packers, Jays, and Huskers!

Read my thoughts on Creighton University athletics at Creightonian.com

I also edit things at Ridiculous Upside. Check it out.

by Omaha Sun on Jan 12, 2012 2:50 PM MST reply actions

Gortat and Varejao will be a nice battle.

Gortat’s offensive game continues to steadily improve since he joined the Suns and we need him to be a scorer since we have a shortage there. His mid-range shot has been dependable and he’s contributing some from the post too.

I’m also eager to see Tristan Thompson face Markieff Morris. Any Big 12 fans out there remember how their matchups went when Thompson was at Texas and Morris at Kansas? Thompson’s a more athletic player, but Morris is more polished.

Blogging Suns basketball for Bright Side of the Sun from California wine country.
Twitter: @EastBayRaymundo

by East Bay Ray on Jan 12, 2012 3:09 PM MST reply actions

atta boy GP

agreed, EBR. There could be some nice matchups-the game within the game if you will.

still, Suns need to take care of business and beat this team. especially at home.

i fully expect redd to be way too amped to make a big contribution. this is more of a pop his cherry kinda thing.

Blogging Suns Basketball. Twitter: @willcantrellphx

by Wil Cantrell on Jan 12, 2012 3:58 PM MST up reply actions

Yeah he's got to take it easy

until he gets his legs, which will take at least couple of weeks. Hope he doesn’t bomb away trying to impress. He should eventually be a difference maker, but not right away.
Suns 103, Cavs 89. Steve 15 +15. Rare Dudz dunk gets bench worked up. Garbage time will be involved. Hoo-raw.

by Van2010 on Jan 12, 2012 4:11 PM MST up reply actions

Not so sure about that with Redd

He’s a veteran, the nerves shouldn’t be too much for him. I can see him having a relatively big night (makes a few shots) tonight and then not repeating it for a week or something. You know how it is when you haven’t worked out for awhile? The first workout can go OK, but then it takes days to recover? I can see it going like that.

They have this game tonight, tomorrow night versus the Nets and then that big 5-game road trip. I’m sure they want to get him rolling for that road trip. If the goal is to give Grant a breather, there’s no time to waste.

Blogging Suns basketball for Bright Side of the Sun from California wine country.
Twitter: @EastBayRaymundo

by East Bay Ray on Jan 12, 2012 4:21 PM MST up reply actions

Hopefully Gentry has the same type of thinking

and doesn’t let him over do it. 20 spaced out minutes tops. maybe even less. let chilly play the garbage minutes (hopefully a lot against NJ and Cavs) Gentry has shown in the past that he will take players out of rotation if they have a few consecutive bad games.

by miketheboss on Jan 12, 2012 5:25 PM MST up reply actions