Keys to the game for the C's tonight:
1. Stay out of early foul trouble
2. Don't settle for long two's (Unless you are Tatum, who thrives from that 15-22 foot range). I'd like to see Rozier work that tweener game and attack the basket more. I am really sick of Marcus Smart taking long twos.
3. High intensity throughout - So many red carpet rides in game 3 (Like on LeBrons reverse). Show the intensity and effort you had in games 1 and 2.
4. Don't get beat on the boards by Nance/Thompson - Both those dudes get rebounds by hustling, not by skill. They wanted it more last game, box out and knock them off the spot, beat them to the 50-50 balls. Nance/Thompson combined for 18 points and 13 rebounds, we need to cut that in half.
5. Operate more in the pick n roll - I'd like to see Horford up setting picks on the ball more, Christ even Baynes. Let's make Clevelands defense move and have to adjust. I'd also like to see Horford being used not just as a roll man, but as a pick n pop option. If he doesn't get the shot immediately, he is great at putting the ball on the floor and making decisions on the move.
6. Stifle Korver and Smith.... - If penetration occurs and we lose sight of them, or don't get out quick enough, we could find a barrage of three's raining on us. Don't help off those two, ever.
7. Run, run, run - We should be pushing it on every defensive board.
Also, the Cavaliers are 7-0 over the last 10 postseasons when Bill Kennedy refs.... and Bill Kennedy is refereeing the game tonight.
Scott Foster is another ref in this game... fun facts below:
The records show Donaghy placed 134 calls to referee Scott Foster — more than the 126 calls Donaghy made to his bookie — between October 2006 and April 2007, the period during which he has confessed to either betting on games or passing on game information to gamblers. The majority of the phone calls lasted no more than two minutes and occurred prior to and after games Donaghy officiated and on which he admits wagering.
With the exception of 150 calls Donaghy placed to Thomas Martino, to whom he says he provided “picks” to win games and who was the middleman between the disgraced referee and a bookie named James Battista, the ex-ref phoned no one more than he called Foster. During this period, the most calls Donaghy made to any other referee were 13.
Additionally....
Calls between Foster, 41, and Donaghy, also 41, took place immediately before and after 54 of the 57 games Donaghy officiated from the beginning of the 2006-2007 season until mid-March, when his role in the gambling operation apparently ended. Records also show a vast majority of the calls came in the hours before or after games officiated by Donaghy or Foster.
This will be interesting. Bottom line - the game could be forced in the direction of the Cavaliers, keep an eye out for funny business... particular "Bad officiating".
http://www.foxnews.com/story/2008/07/14/disgraced-former-nba-referee-tim-donaghy-phone-calls-to-second-ref-raise.htmlExample below:
Donaghy’s phone records for one of those days, Dec. 30, obtained by Fox News, reveal the following:
— 10:34 a.m. – Donaghy calls Foster.
— 10:35 a.m. – Donaghy calls another referee.
— 10:36 a.m. – Donaghy calls Martino, the “middleman” between him and his bookie.
— 10:39 a.m. – Donaghy calls Foster.
— 5:15 p.m. – Donaghy calls Martino.
— 5:23 p.m. – Donaghy calls Martino.
— 7 p.m. – Donaghy referees game between the Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic. The Magic win in a rout, 97-68.
— 8 p.m. – Foster referees a game between the Toronto Raptors and the Memphis Grizzlies in Memphis. The Grizzlies win 110-104. Foster and Donaghy speak 12 minutes after the game.
— 11:27 p.m. – Foster and Donaghy speak for at least the fourth time of the day.
— 11:38 p.m. – Foster and Donaghy speak for at least the fifth time of the day.
The following day, Donaghy spoke with Foster at 1:37 p.m., for two minutes. One minute later, at 1:40 p.m., Donaghy spoke to Martino, also for two minutes.
I know that the topic of fixed games is a tough pill to swallow, tough for people to even think about nevermind talk about. But it's a big business, and the reality of the situation is that I wouldn't be surprised if this was the reason refs like Scott Foster and Bill Kennedy are kept around. Look no further than the 02 Kings vs Lakers series, and the 06 Heat vs Mavericks finals. Don't be surprised if you see really "Bad officiating" tonight.... masked as just that... bad officiating.