Tonight was Game 3 of Cavs-Spurs at Quicken Loans Arena. And we have fire!
















Going in, I was not very confident of our chances. I thought the refs would play an important role, as they always seem to cut the home team slack in these situations. The absence of the injured Larry Hughes might actually help the Cavs, as he had been a non-contributor the first two games.

The first quarter kind of stunk both ways. The Spurs did not shoot very well and committed many turnovers. It seemed the Cavs started out OK, then hit a wall. But the Cavs had the lead at the end of the first by two and we should be thankful, as they had have not had many leads in the series. I am not confident in Coach Brown though. As soon as Duncan goes to the bench with fouls, get Z in there and pound it into him. Z didn't get back in until the second quarter started.

Interestingly enough, Tony Parker of the Spurs sat a long time in the first quarter, as Bowen and Duncan carried the load. Varejao and James seemed to be the big guns for the Cavs early. In the second quarter, we saw Jim Brown with Jim Tressel, Peyton Manning eating a hot dog, and Ewok Longoria watching the game. The game turned when LeBron got his third foul, quickly followed by the third foul on Tim Duncan. Then we got to see the Tim Duncan Face. The one where his eyes get real big and he claims he didn't foul. But what we learned this quarter was Varejao cannot guard Duncan, Big Shot Bob can still shoot, and Tony Parker is fast, as the Spurs closed out the half with a 10-0 run to regain the lead. For the Cavs we learned that Boobie can be defended by the Spurs and he seemed reluctant to get involved, Coach Brown still does not play his most 5 productive players at any given time, but they did get help from Z, Pavlovic and Gooden. It's just that this is such a strong Spurs team. Their stars can sit for long stretches and the team still plays well.

Third quarter did not result in many points early. As a matter of fact, it was 15-12 in favor of the Spurs for the quarter. The Spurs were stuck on 44 for the longest time. Z is playing a terrific game tonight. He's flashing outside to double-team Parker, hustling for loose balls, and rebounding quite well. It is scary that he and Gooden (who picked up four fouls in the quarter) are the most productive Cavs, by far. The double team is hurting Parker, as they have not run the pick-and-roll with Duncan that much. The Spurs have lost most of their shooting touch in this game, except for the three-ball, which is keeping them in the lead. Up to this point, the Cavs have hit one three-pointer for the game. The crowd was eerily silent at the end of the third quarter, as the Spurs lead by 5.

It's now the 4th quarter, and doesn't that iPhone look great? Boy, the Cavs repeatedly get good open looks tonight, but can't make a shot. Without Gooden and Z tonight, I shudder to think how bad this score might have been. Our offense is chaotic, then results in no basket. The Cavs defense is really good though, but the Spurs seem less chaotic and at least a fair number of their shots are good. Michael Finley hits a three to give the Spurs a 10-point lead at 67-57, but then Pavlovic hits a three for the Cavs and we have hope again. The Spurs stay on 67 for over 4 minutes, but the Cavs can only score 6 during that time for a 67-63 deficit, then proceed to miss and miss and miss some more. But Parker hits a three to give the Spurs a 72-67 lead, but Pavlovic connects with a three right back at them. Crazy finish though. Duncan hits two foul shots and then James hits a basket. Varejao, in there after Gooden fouled out, misses a weird scoop shot and the Cavs foul Ginobili with 10 seconds left. He makes one of two and then LeBron hits a bunny for a 73-72 game. Ginobili then hits two foul shots with 5 seconds left. So, it's Cavs ball, down by three at 75-72. The inbound play goes to LeBron, who is grabbed by Bruce Bowen. No call, Lebron misses the jumper and the Cavs lose by 3.

Observations:

Oh, Boobie. Give the people what they want. He was 1-10.

Z was outstanding. 12 and 18 with 10 offensive rebounds.

Ginobili's foul shots in the last 10 seconds were his only points.

Only 7 bench points for the Cavs, but the 4 guys attempted only 7 shots.

Barry and Bowen were 7-9 on threes for the Spurs.

Well, it wasn't the lowest scoring game in NBA Finals history, but it was close.

Meal of Links

The map of the world according to the USA. Soccer not listed, but hockey is and gets a shoutout.

Steve Perry would not sign off on "Don't Stop Believin'" until he knew how "The Sopranos" ended. In his honor, they need to rerun Journey's "Behind The Music", the best episode of that series.

They stole the President's watch. Seriously, some Albanian ripped him off.

Exercise Yard

How Wieden & Kennedy became the best sports marketers in America. The SportsCenter ads are really genius. I like anything with Mr. Met in it.

Visitor

51 Across: South African Peace Nobelist (4 letters) Answer: Tutu