By Zac Jackson
FOX Sports Ohio
November 10, 2010
Previewing tonight's Cavaliers-Nets game
THE DETAILS: Nets (2-5) at Cavaliers (4-3), 7:30 p.m., Quicken Loans Arena. It's the close of a back-to-back, home-and-home series as the Cavs won, 93-91, in New Jersey last night. Fred McLeod and Austin Carr have the call on Fox Sports Ohio.
THE STARTERS: The Cavaliers expect to again be at full strength with a starting lineup of Mo Williams, Anthony Parker, Jamario Moon, J.J. Hickson and Anderson Varejao.
Antawn Jamison was good (15 pts., 8 reb.) in his return last night after sitting three games with knee swelling but played 28 minutes, probably more than Byron Scott wanted him to.
The Nets will likely go with Travis Outlaw (27 pts. last night) and Troy Murphy at forward, rising star Brook Lopez at center and Devin Harris and Anthony Morrow in the backcourt. Rookie big man Derrick Favors, the third overall pick in last summer's draft and the youngest player in the NBA, is playing well off the bench but only played 16 minutes last night. Swingman Terrence Williams is questionable with an abdominal strain.
THE SCOOP: The Cavaliers return home alone in first place after a 3-0 road trip. Their bench outscored the Nets' bench, 52-15, last night and J.J. Hickson had a big game with 18 points and 10 rebounds. A big fourth quarter that included big shots from Daniel Gibson and Anthony Parker sealed last night's win, but except for a slow start and a late third-quarter lapse they controlled most of the game. Going 12-of-22 from beyond the arc helped the Cavs overcome an off night from Mo Williams.
The Nets have lost five straight after a 2-0 start. Look for them to try to slow the Cavaliers and feed Lopez in the post in the half-court setting.
THE SERIES: The Cavaliers have won nine straight over the Nets. Following tonight's conclusion of this home-and-home, they don't play again until late March.
WHAT'S AHEAD: The Cavaliers have the Pacers at home Saturday and 76ers at home Nov. 16.
