NBA on Five : Week 5

Every week we preview Channel Five’s upcoming NBA game. Tonight’s show starts at 1am with the new-look New York Knicks playing host to LeBron’s Cleveland Cavaliers.

Season so far 

New York’s 7-6 record has surprised many and Zach Randolph and Jamal Crawford have excelled in coach Mike D’Antoni’s up-tempo running game. The problem is both have gone. Crawford and his fat contract have been moved to Golden State while Randolph and his even fatter contract have been moved to the Clips (although the latter deal has yet to be finalised). With neither playing on Saturday, a depleted Knicks team beat Washington with Quentin Richardson – who played with D’Antoni in Phoenix – on fire scoring 34 points and collecting 12 rebounds. The Knicks are clearly building for the future but with D’Antoni in charge they can remain competitive.

Cleveland meanwhile have started the season in brilliant form. Their 10-3 record means they trail only Boston and the Lakers in the NBA. The key as always has been LeBron; but his team, who have struggled with scoring in the past, have looked a lot more fluid offensively this season. The addition of point guard Mo Williams has spread opposition defences while Delonte West has been surprisingly effective moving to off-guard.

Key Players 

Chris Duhon: New York: PG: Seventh in the league in assists (7.2 per game), the former Chicago Bull is also seventh in the league in assist to turnover ration (3.36 assists per turnover). The point guard has fitted into his new surroundings well taking care of the ball and ensuring his team mates get the looks they require. With the shadow of Steph Marbury looming over him Duhon had to be good and he has been just that.

LeBron James: Cleveland: SF: Maybe the world’s best player, LeBron is likely to get a great reception in New York tonight as the home fans attempt to seduce him to Madison Square Garden when his contract in Cleveland expires in 2010. LeBron has all the physical tools and a good basketball IQ, only his shooting sometimes lets him down. He is impossible to guard and fills a stat sheet like no other in the league.

Watch out for 

-          The fans reaction to LeBron. Crawford and Randolph have been moved to make the Knicks a player in the 2010 free agent market. LeBron is the best player potentially available at that time (closely followed by Dwyane Wade) so the Knicks fans will be doing their best to make him feel welcome.

-          Nate Robinson. The 5ft 9in former dunk champion has been playing well coming off the bench for the Knicks this season. The point guard adds a real spark and is also good for a highlight or two.

-          Daniel “Boobie” Gibson can really heat up coming off the Cavs bench and he has one of the league’s best nicknames.

Team News 

Wally Szczerbiak is listed as day-to-day for the Cavs while Al Harrington is expected to make his Knicks debut. Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas (who came over in the Randolph trade) were also expected to play for the Knicks but the delay to the completion on the trade means they are unlikely to take part.

Predictions 

Each week myself and my Posting Up colleague Michael Romyn will be posting up our predictions on Five's game and keeping a tally of the results. In theory we are the experts who follow the game closely but each week we also ask Dickman, a work collegue who has no clue about the NBA. By the end of the season we'll see who the real expert is.

The last two weeks have been missed out owing to holiday.

Tom: LeBron is going to put on a show in front of an adoring New York crowd (Cleveland win) (Season: 1 correct, 1 wrong)

Michael: Cleveland, they have a guy called LeBron on their team (Cleveland win) (Season: 2 correct, 0 wrong)

Dickman: New York by eight to 10 points (New York win) (Season: 2 correct, 0 wrong)