With eight games left in the regular season, the Cavaliers aren’t exactly peaking — unless it’s to take a quick peek behind them in the Eastern Conference standings.
At 41-33, No. 4 Cleveland leads Washington (38-36) and Toronto (38-36) by just three games. No. 3 Orlando (47-27) is six games ahead, so there’s no chance of moving up.
When all is said and done, LeBron James and Co. will likely end up right where they are — fourth in the East — and own home-court advantage in the first round.
If Mike Brown’s troops don’t start playing a lot better than they have been, however, Cleveland’s playoff run will be a lot shorter than last year’s trip to the NBA Finals.
Right now, it’s hard to envision the Cavaliers beating No. 1 Boston in the second round, let alone No. 2 Detroit in the conference finals.
Cleveland is just 10-9 since acquiring Ben Wallace, Delonte West, Joe Smith and Wally Szczerbiak, injuries are still preventing the team from establishing any rhythm and shooting guard Sasha Pavlovic was just benched in favor of Devin Brown.
Toss in the back spasms that have been plaguing Wallace and Gibson’s lingering ankle injury and this team is hurting, in more ways than one.
There is, however, reason for optimism. The Cavaliers play in Charlotte tonight against the lowly Bobcats, then host the very beatable Chicago Bulls on Thursday. After a tough home game against Orlando on Saturday, Cleveland plays very winnable games against New Jersey, Chicago, Miami and Philadelphia before closing the season against Detroit, a game that is likely to mean nothing as far as playoff seeding goes.
That means the Cavaliers, who have gone 14-6 in April over the last two years, have an opportunity to build some momentum going into the playoffs.
It will all start with James, but the 23-year-old sure could use some help.
The Cavaliers need the West who had 18 points, six rebounds, 11 assists and three steals Sunday in a win over Philadelphia. Only Dwyane Wade and Andrei Kirilenko have posted those numbers in a game this season.
They need Zydrunas Ilgauskas scoring and rebounding.
They need Smith making open jumpers.
They need a pain-free Wallace wreaking havoc on defense and the boards.
They need more than the 3-of-13 shooting Devin Brown provided in his return to the starting lineup.
They need Anderson Varejao annoying opposing players.
They need Gibson healthy and bombing away from beyond the arc.
They need something, anything, from Szczerbiak.
If all that happens, there may be reason to look forward instead of backward.
Contact Rick Noland at (330) 721-4061 or rickn@ohio.net.

Big Ben to sit out again

INDEPENDENCE — Cavaliers power forward Ben Wallace, who has been having problems with back spasms, will not play in tonight’s game in Charlotte.
Wallace, who has missed three of the last four games, is being held out as a precautionary measure.
Guard Daniel Gibson is listed as questionable due to ankle soreness, which caused him to leave Sunday’s game against Philadelphia late in the third quarter.

TONIGHT

WHO: Cleveland at Charlotte
TIME: 7 o’clock
WHERE: Charlotte Bobcats Arena, Charlotte, N.C.
TV/RADIO: FSN Ohio; WMMS 100.7-AM

In order to comment, you must agree to our user agreement and discussion guidelines.
You must be registered and logged in to post a comment. If you aren't already registered, click here.
If you are registered, click here to log in.
Need help? Email Us.