Preseason Game #3: Cavaliers 99, Rockets 93 (Houston we have liftoff)

I can't remember the last time I've had this much fun watching a preseason game.

The Cleveland Cavaliers went into Houston to face the Rockets, just a few days after getting owned by the Washington Wizards.  With Mo Williams and Anderson Varejao not making the trip, no one gave the Cavaliers a chance to win this game. Going up against the likes of Kevin Martin, Aaron Brooks, and the rest of the Rockets, it should have been a blow out.

But that's why they play the game.  Luckily Jake sent me the link of the online stream with a couple minutes to go in the 2nd quarter.  The Cavs were up 37-35, with 2:43 to go.  What's the first thing I see in the game?  A nasty throwdown by J.J. Hickson?  Yes Sir.

I listened to Joe Tait call the first quarter, and it was a back and forth battle between the two teams.  Samardo Samuels was playing great, and Hickson looked dominant.  Fast forward about 30 seconds, where JJ decides to pull a rebound out of the air on a missed layup by Sessions, and completes the nasty tip-slam.  For some reason the refs called a ridiculous technical foul for apparently hanging on the rim for 2 seconds.  That's what I call Cavaliers swag in my book, definitely worth the unjustified technical.

The Rockets have to call a timeout and the Cavs are up 41-39.  What do we see when we return from the break?  You guessed it, another JJ dunk.. this time a demoralizing alley-oop.  This is what Cavaliers basketball is all about.  There was 1:21 left in the half and Hickson already had 16 points and 10 rebounds.  Meanwhile, we're trading baskets with the Rockets but I could honestly care less. 

There was one thing that was bothering me;  Antawn Jamison kept bricking 3's and he was really holding the Cavaliers back.  I've seen him shoot 3's in practice, and he always seems to be money.  Apparently he forgot to bring his A-game last night. 

Let's get back to the important things, like when Hickson emphatically blocked a shot which led to a Sessions layup to give the Cavaliers a 47-45 lead going into the half.  They say preseason doesn't matter, but several things were clear after 2 quarter of play;  Hickson is going to be a beast this season, Samardo Samuels is legit, and the Cavs offense looked like it's supposed to.  Not to mention the Cavaliers road jersey's are sick.  Get used to it.  While we did miss all 7 three pointers we attempted, we shot 48% on the half and things were going our way.  Gibson and Sessions led the way with 7 points each. 

Jared Jeffries started the scoring off in the 2nd half with a ridiculously deep 3.  Sessions returns with a basket, and another after that when Antawn made himself useful with a great assist to Sessions.  This is some seriously fun-to-watch basketball, and I"m starting to gain confidence in the new team.

Unfortunately Jamison continued his ice-cold shooting, and bricked another three.  At the same time, I couldn't help but wonder how Byron Scott can pull off a short-sleeve polo under a blazer.  I digress.

Jawad Williams finally drills a 3 halfway through the 3rd quarter, after attempting quite a few.  And the Cavaliers just.keep.rolling.  A no look pass on the fast break from Hickson to Parker, and it's 63-60 Cavs. 

At this point in the game, another blatently ridiculous call on J.J. occurs when he went up for a tip-slam.  Apparently referees in the association blow their whistle when someone jumps over Jordan Hill to dunk the basketball.  Must be a new rule this year.  He literally jumped over him and apparently someone felt bad.  Next time they call over-the-back on Hickson we're going to have some serious issues.

And Jamison is still the weak link.  Not to pick on him, but he simply just was not having a good night.  Sessions keeps up the pressure, and the Cavs just keep scoring. 

The 4th quarter starts and the Cavaliers trail by 5.  Much to my delight, rookie stud Manny Harris starts off the quarter in the game, just as he should.  Jawad drills a 3 to start things off right, and the Cavs cut the lead to 2.  It was right about then that Manny Harris decided to take things into his own hands.  His first display of greatness came when he drove to the hole and finished an And-1 lay-up, and it's Rockets 74, Cavs 73.  Harris comes down the floor and proceeds to knock down another jumper, destroying Houston's confidence in their ability to play the game of basketball.  Next things up, Manny feels the need to steal the ball.. and proceeds with a fast-break dunk that would have made Ricky Davis proud.  Harris definitely wants to make this team, and was making quite a case to do so. 

Samardo Samuels resumes his presence on the offensive post and a spinning hook gives the Cavs a commanding 81-78 lead.  Meanwhile, Jawad loves shooting 3 pointers. 

Manny Harris is still in the game, and for good reason.  Yet again he makes more magic happen, and drew contact on a 3 pointer.. swishing all three free-throws that followed.  It was about time for Eyenga to show up to the party;  His entrance was nothing short of grand.  Christian pulls up on consecutive possessions with deep 3's and rainbows both of them in to the bottom of the net.  The lead has now ballooned to 88-80 Cavaliers, with 6 minutes remaining.  After some Manny free throws put us up 97-91, the game was all but over.  Other than Hickson, Eyenga and Harris are officially the best players on the Cavaliers roster. 

This win truly showed what the new look Cavs are capable of, and certainly gave the team a new feeling of confidence heading into the future. 

The Cleveland Cavaliers are now 2-1 in the preseason, and will likely defeat the Dallas Mavericks tonight to cement their legacy.  I can't remember ever having this much fun watching the Cavs.  16 days until Boston?  Sign me up.