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Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Game 48: Pistons at Cavs

DETROIT PISTONS (18-32) 87, CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (17-31) 75
Quicken Loans Arena
Wednesday
Radio/TV: WTAM/Fox Sports Ohio

WHAT HAPPENED: The Cavs matched their season low with 75 points. In their five-game losing streak, they're averaging a paltry 85 points per game.

At least on Wednesday, they played hard and competed. That hasn't been the case in the last few games. They shot just 34.5 percent from the field against the Pistons.

They just don't have the horses. I have a feeling the last 18 games are really going to get ugly. They've been playing with a 14-man roster for the last week. Does it really matter? Do you want to see another D-League player on the roster? I don't. There's plenty to go around now.

The Pistons leapfrogged past the Cavs with the win. They are no longer in last place. That distinction belongs to the Cavs.

Coach Byron Scott is searching for answers right now.

The Cavs had a four-game winning streak against the Pistons snapped on Wednesday.

They'll have to adjust to playing without guard Daniel Gibson for likely the rest of the season. Not that he was having a great season. That's anything but the case. But the backup guards are Donald Sloan and Manny Harris, and after watching them, it left me thinking they were in the D-League for a reason.

Harris continues to make mistakes. He still can't handle the ball at the NBA level. He does score, so for now, that will have to do.

I've been campaigning to see more minutes for Harris. Now that he's getting them, I've been disappointed with his play. But now's the time to watch him play. Anthony Parker should start to ramp down as far as minutes go, since he won't be back next year.

This is expected to be his last season with the Cavs, and most likely in the NBA. He's one of the class acts in the league, much like Antawn Jamison. They are adults, look you in the eye when you talk to them, and know what it takes to hang around in this league.

Every player in that locker room should take heed. Many of these guys won't be back next year - thank goodness - and can learn from their professionalism.

Sloan had two points and two assists in 11 minutes. Harris had nine points in 15 minutes, even though he was 3 of 10 from the field.

UP NEXT: The Cavs host Milwaukee at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Quicken Loans Arena.

STARTERS
SF Alonzo Gee (6-6, 219) vs. Tayshaun Prince (6-9, 215)
PF Antawn Jamison (6-9, 235) vs. Jason Maxiell (6-7, 260)
C Tristan Thompson (6-9, 227) vs. Greg Monroe (6-11, 250)
SG Anthony Parker (6-6, 210) vs. Rodney Stuckey (6-5, 205)
PG Kyrie Irving (6-3, 191) vs. Brandon Knight (6-3, 189) 
INACTIVE LIST
Cavs – C Anderson Varejao, F Luke Harangody
Pistons - F/C Vernon Macklin 
OFFICIALS





Ed Malloy,  Courtney Kirkland,  Scott Twardoski
 










 






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