Primetime NBA Game:
Cleveland Cavaliers vs.
New Orleans Hornets
February 23, 2010 by Bryan Polks
The Cleveland Cavaliers followed their 13-game winning streak with a 3-game losing streak in their last 3 games. All of which happened after they traded center Zydrunas Ilgauskas for Antawn Jamison. It may not be a cause for alarm for the Cavaliers' fans since Jamison is learning his spot in the Cavaliers.
Antawn Jamison is still feeling his way on the rotation, he's a quick learner and he has a lot of basketball stuff that could really help the Cavaliers during the final stretch of the regular season. Poor defense, that's the main reason why the Cavaliers are mired on a 3-game losing streak. They have allowed opponents to score at least 100 points in 17 games this season. Five of those were in their last 6 games. The Cavs must refocus with their defensive plays to stop their 3-game losing streak.
The New Orleans Hornets are in a tight race with the Portland Blazers for the last spot in the Western Conference playoffs. PG Chris Paul is out for a couple of weeks after undergoing an arthroscopic surgery. Most fans felt the Hornets won't make the playoffs with Chris Paul sidelined as he recuperates from his surgery.
All is not lost for the Hornets, rookie PG Darren Collison has averaged 23.6 points and 8.7 assists in their last six games to fill the hole left by Chris Paul. The Hornets have gone 4-2 while Collison is in the lineup, if he plays with a lot of intensity and commitment a playoff spot may be in reach until Chris Paul returns.
The sportsbetting handicappers installed the Cleveland Cavaliers an 11.5-point favorite to beat the Darren Collison-led New Orleans Hornets on Tuesday night. Now, that's a really huge wide margin given to the Cavaliers considering they're in a 3-game losing streak.
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