Can The New Jersey Nets' Come Back To Defeat The Cleveland Cavaliers?

By David
Kaye

Two games into the Eastern Conference semifinals and the New Jersey Nets' find themselves down 2 games to none.

After upsetting the third seeded Raptors in the first-round New Jersey was primed to do the same thing to LeBron and the Cavs. With veterans Jason Kidd and Vince Carter leading the way against an inexperienced Cleveland club it appeared as if the Nets had a feasible opportunity against the second best team in the East.

In game one, New Jersey played a defensive oriented style of basketball as they fell 81-77 to the Cavaliers. VC, Vince Carter struggled from the field going 7-23 and was held to 21 points. Point guard Jason Kidd who was unstoppable in round one scored a measly seven points and went 2-11 from the field.

The main reason New Jersey lost in game one was because of a lack of rebounding. Cleveland's big guys, led by Drew Gooden and Zydrunas Ilgauskas combined for 28 rebounds and collectively as a team the Cavs outrebounded the Nets 51-37. If New Jersey expects to win the series they can not permit LeBron and company to capture 20 offensive boards.

In game two Tuesday night at Quicken Loans Arena the Cavaliers continued to roll against the under sized Nets. Just like in game one New Jersey had no answer for the Cavs big guys as they were outrebounded 49-32. Nets coach Lawrence Frank later said ''they are just kicking our tails on the boards.'' Due to a lack of rebounding, the chances of New Jersey coming back in the best of seven series is very slim.

While Vince Carter struggled to assert himself as a leader on the court, LeBron James stole the show. Number 23 scored 36 points and 12 assists to lead his Cavs past the Nets. Unlike in previous postseasons when he was unable to receive adequate assistance from his teammates, his supporting cast came to play. Forward Sasha Pavlovic chipped in a career playoff-high 17 points and Drew Gooden added 14 boards.

With game three Saturday night in the Meadowlands, LeBron and the Cavs will look to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the series.