Written by Brian McPeek

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When inserting Manny Harris into the starting lineup doesn’t get you a win you know you’re in big trouble.

Byron Scott gave Harris the start Wednesday night in Charlotte when Mo Williams was scratched due to a hip flexor hoping the rookie from Michigan would light a fire under the Cavs.

It didn’t really work out all that well.

The Bobcats raced out to a big lead on the strength of (stop if you’ve heard this before) deadly three point shooting and they never really looked back until they became the Bobcats again in the final couple minutes and did their damndest to give the game away.

Luckily for them the Cavs would have none of that and accepted another defeat by a score of 101-92.

 

The loss continues the Cavaliers death spiral while also providing hope to those who’d love to see them back in the lottery. Those two things are closely linked and at 8-24 the Cavs ‘trail’ only Sacramento and Washington for the right to paint their logo on the most lottery balls come June of 2011. The Wizards are catchable since they’re only a game ahead…err..behind the Cavs with seven wins but the Kings are setting an impressive pace in the race to 70 losses due to the fact they’re losing…err..winning percentage is actually a lot better…err..worse than Cleveland’s.

Anyway, bottom line is that adding guys like Manny Harris to lineups already featuring guys Boobie Gibson and Anthony Parker can’t hurt the old lottery chances. If we could somehow just convince the Cavs to recall Samardo Samuels and Christian Eyenga back to Cleveland things would really be looking up…err..down…err… you know what I’m saying.

Oh yes, Wednesday’s game. Ramon Sessions led the Cavaliers with 22 points. Coincidentally, that’s also the same number of screens Sessions has gone under on defense as opposed to fighting through the last three games leading to about 112 three point makes by Cavs opponents. Gibson scored 11 before leaving with a thigh contusion and Antawn Jamison returned to his hometwon…err..town and tossed in 18 points.

Charlotte got 38 points from Stephen Jackson and 28 from DJ Augustin in moving their record to 11-19 on the season.

They Got Next

I don’t know who the hell the Cavs play next but I do know I’m damn happy that I don’t have to write another game recap until January 15^th. Wait…. This just in…the Cavs face the Chicago Bulls Sunday on New Years Day in Chicago. That’s a 7pm tip on FSN Ohio. Save a few beers and belts if you plan on tuning in.