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It's been a long
time since the Cleveland Cavaliers had a successful road trip.
The Cavaliers ended a 34-game road losing streak this weekend, winning in Philadelphia
and Chicago. Lebron James had 36 points as the Cavs snapped their losing streak
against the 76ers.
He followed up that performance with a 32-point, 10 assist effort against the Bulls with Michael Jordan in attendance at the United Center.
``That's my idol, always will be. This is his house, always will be,'' James said before the game. ``But I'm going to go out and just play my game. I'm not trying to praise anybody but my teammates and my coaches.''
With only a third of the season done, James has done a very good job of making the Cavaliers his team. He leads the team in scoring at 19.2 points and averages 6.2 assists.
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``Every night I go out,'' James said, ``I'm just trying to help my team win
the best way I can.''
Cleveland will welcome a New Orleans squad that ended a three-game losing skid on Saturday with a 94-89 win over Memphis.
Baron Davis had 25 points and 12 assists to lead the Hornets and Jamaal Magloire added 18 points and 13 rebounds.
``The way were shooting the ball the last few games, we were more concentrated on getting it inside,'' Magloire said. ``We stuck to the game plan and as a result we were able to get some good looks and open things up.''
The Hornets also outrebounded Memphis 48-36, with 18 offensive rebounds leading to 16 second-chance points. New Orleans also was able to draw fouls, scoring 24 points from the free throw line. A marked difference from their previous two games when they only attempted 15 and nine foul shots.
``The free throw stat was a big stat,'' Floyd said. ``It's an amazing thing -- when you get it inside you get fouled a little bit.''
STANDINGS (through Dec. 21): Hornets - 2nd place, 2 GB, Central Division. Cavaliers - 6th place (tied), 11 1/2 GB, Central Division.
PROBABLE STARTERS: Hornets - F George Lynch, F P.J. Brown, C Jamaal Magloire, G Davis, G Wesley. Cavaliers - F Darius Miles, F Boozer, C Zydrunas Ilgauskas, G James, G J. R. Bremer.
TEAM LEADERS: Hornets - Davis, 23.5 ppg and 8.5 apg; Magloire, 9.4 rpg. Cavaliers - James, 19.2 ppg and 6.2 apg; Boozer, 10 rpg.
SEASON SERIES: Hornets, 1-0.
LAST MEETING: Nov. 26; Hornets, 82-72. At New Orleans, New Orleans shot only 38.8 percent, but Davis scored 26 points and Wesley had 21 against former coach Paul Silas. Ilgauskas scored 20 points on 9-of-14 shooting and James had an off-night scoring 15 points on 5-of-17 shooting, but he did have nine assists and eight rebounds.
ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Hornets - 9-6 on the road; Cavaliers - 6-6 at home.
INJURIES: Hornets - G Courtney Alexander (achilles'); C James Lang (back); F Mashburn (knee). Cavaliers - C DeSagana Diop (knee); G Dajuan Wagner (knee).
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