Cleveland Cavaliers Wiretap

Cavs' Wallace Again Forced To Sit With Back Spasms

Cavaliers' forward Ben Wallace missed the team's game against Philadelphia due to a recurring back spasm problem, the Associated Press is reporting.

Wallace's back flared up against the Pistons on Saturday, and while he wanted to play, Coach Mike Brown made the cautious decision to rest his big man.

"He wants to play and the training staff said he can play, but I decided he's not playing," Brown said.

Via ESPN


Cavs Get Blown Out But Secure Playoff Berth

The Cleveland Cavaliers may have been blown out at the hands of the Pistons in Detroit, but they did manage to secure a playoff spot in the process, the Associated Press is reporting.

Detroit took the game 85-71, leaving LeBron James concerned about the team's injury situation with only nine games left in the season.

"It's been really frustrating," James said. "Our team is based on consistency and trying to get momentum, and it's hard to do that when you have guys coming in and coming out."

"We know it's part of the game, but it's happening to us at the wrong part of the season."

Via nba.com


RGM Daily Rundown For March 26th: Paul Bests LeBron In MVP Showdown

Andrew Perna is under the weather today, so he's asked me to fill in for him on the Daily Rundown for March 26th's games.

- DET 89, TOR 82

The Raptors scored just 33 first half points, but exploded for 28 in the third and fourth quarters to defeat the Pistons 89-82 to climb one game over .500 for the season. Ford and Calderon combined to outplay Billups (per 40 FIC of 21.0 and 20.4 respectively compared to 18.2 for Billups) while Rasho Nesterovic had nine rebounds, four blocks and 15 points.

Game FIC Scores Chauncey Billups, DET - 17.8 T.J. Ford, TOR - 15.3 Chris Bosh, TOR - 15.0 Rodney Stuckey, DET - 10.5

- MIA 96, NYK 103

Miami was unable to get that coveted 14th win of the season during their final trip to Madison Square Garden of the year. Ricky Davis had a very good game, scoring 28 points on 7-10 shooting from 3-point territory. For the Knicks, Jamal Crawford scored 24 points and grabbed four steals while David Lee went for 15 points and 16 rebounds.

Game FIC Scores Jamal Crawford, NYK - 17.0 David Lee, NYK - 16.5 Ricky Davis, MIA - 23.8 Kasib Powell, MIA - 9.0 (17.1 per 40)

- CHI 99, PHI 121

Behind an outstanding 18 assist night from Andre Miller, the Sixers inched even closer to the playoffs while the Bulls inch out of it. The Sixers shot 54% from the field while the Bulls continued their season-long shooting woes by going 34-86. Louis Williams scored 23 points in 23 minutes on 8-13 shooting.

Game FIC Scores Andre Miller, PHI - 28.5 Louis Williams, PHI - 21.5 (37.4 per 40) Thabo Sefolosha, CHI - 19.8 Thaddeus Young, PHI - 14.8

- MIL 96, ATL 115

Joe Johnson scored 28 points while dishing out eight assist in Atlanta's comfortable win over the Bucks. Off the bench, Josh Childress chipped in 20 while Zaza Pachulia grabbed eight rebounds. Only Andrew Bogut fared considerably well for the Bucks, scoring 27 and grabbing nine (six offensive) rebounds.

Game FIC Scores Joe Johnson, ATL - 19.6 Josh Childress, ATL - 20.0 Andrew Bogus, MIL - 23.5 Zaza Pachulia, ATL - 14.1

- NOH 100, CLE 99

If Chris Paul and LeBron James are having an MVP war, then the point guard won this game and the battle. Paul scored 15 points and had a monstrous 20 assists; Paul was responsible (either by dishing or passing) for 71% of the Hornets' field goals Wednesday. LeBron had 21 points and eight rebounds, but Zydrunas Ilgasuskas' 29 and 15 is what kept Cleveland afloat.

Game FIC Scores Chris Paul, NOH - 24.5 LeBron James, CLE - 18.0 Zydrunas Ilgauskas, CLE - 25.4 Peja Stojakovic, NOH - 16.1

- PHX 97, BOS 117

The Celtics avenged their loss in Phoenix by outscoring the Suns 60-40 in the second half of their 117-97 victory. Kevin Garnett scored 30 points on 12-19 shooting but had just three rebounds. Rajon Rondo scored 14 points with six rebounds and six assists.

Game FIC Scores Kevin Garnett, BOS - 25.0 Paul Pierce, BOS - 18.6 Amare Stoudemire, PHX - 17.9 Raja Bell, PHX - 1.8

- IND 117, NJN 124

Devin Harris had another great game in a Nets uniform, scoring 22 points and dishing 15 assists in the Nets' 124-117 victory over Indiana. Sidenote: On the irony scale, how significant would it be if Jason Kidd misses the playoffs with Dallas while the Nets slide in?

Game FIC Scores Devin Harris, NJN - 27.8 Josh Boone, NJN - 16.3 Vince Carter, NJN - 18.6 Mike Dunleavy, IND - 28.8

- MIN 86, HOU 97

The Rockets did enough to squeak past the Timberwolves, mainly by outrebounding them by a margin of 20. Luis Scola had 18 and 18 while Tracy McGrady was one assist shy of a triple double. Carl Landry, Luther Head and Bobby Jackson were all pivotal off the bench for Rick Adelman.

Game FIC Scores Luis Scola, HOU - 20.8 Tracy McGrady, HOU - 19.5 Al Jefferson, MIN - 19.5 Carl Landry, HOU - 8.1 (20.3)

- LAC 88, SAS 97

The Spurs are yet again on the doorstep of a 50 win season. Tim Duncan had 26 points and 12 rebounds, shooting 80% from the floor. As a team, San Antonio shot 50% from the floor, while holding the Clippers to just 39%.

Game FIC Scores Tim Duncan, SAS - 26.9 Michael Finley, SAS - 11.3 Al Thornton, LAC - 14.0 Josh Powell, LAC - 9.3 (37.0 per 40)

- MEM 106, SAC 107

Kevin Martin's 36 points was barely enough to knock off the Grizzlies at Arco Arena. Brad Miller had 15 points and 17 boards while Ron Artest scored 24.

Game FIC Scores Brad Miller, SAC - 26.6 Kevin Martin, SAC - 21.8 Javaris Crittenton, MEM - 12.3 (19.6 per 40) Ron Artest, SAC -14.3

- WSH 104, SEA 99

Kevin Durant continues his improved play, scoring 32 points on 13-22 shooting in the Sonics' narrow loss to Washington. Antawn Jamison had 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Roger Mason had 22 points in almost 22 minutes off the bench.

Game FIC Scores Antawn Jamison, WSH - 20.4 Kevin Durant, SEA - 18.4 Nick Collison, SEA -18.3 Roger Mason, WSH - 13.3 (25.2 per 40)

- CHA 108, LAL 95

Perhaps karmic influences were present following the Bob Delaney call in Monday's win at Golden State, but the Bobcats' impressive 2nd quarter put them ahead 57-44 at halftime and it was enough to stave off the Lakers. Jason Richardson scored 34 points on 13-28 shooting while Gerald Wallace went for 15 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

Game FIC Scores Gerald Wallace, CHA - 20.8 Jason Richardson, CHA - 20.4 Lamar Odom, LAL - 19.3 Kobe Bryant, LAL - 9.8

• RealGM calculates the Floor Impact Counter using the following formula: (Points + .75 Defensive Rebounds + Offensive Rebounds + Steals + Assists + Blocks - .75 Field Goal Attempts - .375 Free Throw Attempts - Turnovers - .5 Personal Fouls)

It is also used to rank players and to determine their `Reina Value.'

Click here to view the player rankings with the Reina Value for the current season

Via Christopher Reina/RealGM


Cavaliers Mar 2008 Archive