So far, the Detroit-Cleveland matchup is going according to script. Detroit has won its two home games, for the most part handily. At times the Cavs have been playing scared. By now everyone knows Donyell Marshall's infamous comment about the team having not a chance against the Pistons.
As a Cavs fans since the Daughtery, Nance, and Ehlo days, it pained me to see a player almost handing in the town after only the first game. So while the term moral victory is cliche, following the Cavs furious albeit futile comeback in Game 2, it gave me and other Cavs fanatics hope that yes, the team still has a chance.
Cleveland now knows it can play with Detroit. What it needs to do now is seize upon the momentum and protect its home turf and bring a kill or be killed mentality to the game. That is the only way to beat Detroit.
It won't be easy. Earlier this week, tragedy struck the team, as Larry Hughes' brother passed away. Hughs will probably miss the third game and maybe even the fourth game. The rest of the team may find it hard to perform up to task themselves. Who knows? Maybe the team decide that they have accomplished much this year and decide to fold in, resulting in a Detroit sweep.
Or Cleveland may dedicate the remaining games of the series to Hughes' brother and play in the mold of Loyalta Marymount when they went to the Big 8 after losing Hank Gathers in 1989.
Regardless of the outcome, this has been a great season for Cleveland. just the 4th 50-win season in team history. the first time in the second round since 1993. The first time in the playoffs in 8 years. Not even a Detroit sweep can lesson the Cav's achievements this year. And we can say without a doubt that Clevland will be a force to reckon with for a long time.
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