Notes and observations from the Cavs game against the New Jersey Nets.
View full sizeByron Scott told Nets reporters Tuesday in New Jersey that he now identifies with his new home city, Cleveland.NEWARK, N.J. -- Notes and observations from the Cavs game against the New Jersey Nets:
Cavs starters: F Jamario Moon, F J.J. Hickson, C Anderson Varejao, G Anthony Parker, G Mo Williams
Nets starters: F Travis Outlaw, F Troy Murphy, C Brook Lopez, G Anthony Morrow, G Devin Harris
Injuries: None for Cavs. Terrence Williams (lower abdominal strain) is questionable.
Inactives: Christian Eyenga, Manny Harris and Samardo Samuels for Cavs. Williams, Ben Uzoh and Joe Smith for Nets.
Officials: Marc Davis, Derek Richardson, Leon Wood
Three things to watch
1. Will the three-guard rotation of Williams, Parker and Daniel Gibson be as effective as it was in victories at Philadelphia and Washington last weekend?
2. How will Antawn Jamison look in his first game back after missing three with a sore left knee?
3. Will Anderson Varejao try to shoot against a good center like Lopez?
Cavaliers coach Byron Scott arrived back in the city where he started his NBA coaching career in 2000 and told more than a dozen reporters who showed up for shootaround before tonight's game against the Nets that he identified with his new coaching home.
"I fit in pretty well with that,'' he said. "The city’s had a lot of bad breaks, let’s put it that way. A lot of bad breaks over the years. Now that I’m in Cleveland I’m getting a history lesson. I think the city feels a little disrespected at times. I kind of fit in well with that _ somebody who has always been kind of the underdog. Obviously, getting a chance to play in Los Angeles and win some championships affected that a little bit _ but someone who’s also been knocked down a few times and got back up.
"That’s this team, that’s this city.''Scott was asked what he remembers most about his four years in New Jersey.
"You always think about going the two straight years to The Finals, beating boston in the Eastern Conference Finals, beating Detroit. Those were great moments for this franchise. I have a lot of positive feelings about New Jersey, and the Nets organization, because obviously they gave me my first opportunity to coach. And secondly we had great success. I have fond memories.''
Daniel Gibson, who missed practice yesterday for personal reasons, was with the team on Tuesday and will play tonight. Antawn Jamison, who has missed three games with a sore left knee, is expected to play, but he is still listed as questionable.