[Basketball News]

Game 2 between the Cavaliers and the Wizards is tonight, and here's "The Optimist's" prediction

DeShawn Stevenson comes out after intermission on fire and drills a pair of three-pointers to bring Washington to within one. Antonio Daniels’ runner gives the Wizards a one-point lead as the third quarter winds down.

But TheBron begins to assert himself midway through the fourth, and after scoring 10 of Cleveland’s first 12 points of the period to put the Cavaliers up six, finds the X-Factor Donyell Marshall – who cans the game-deciding three-pointer from the left corner.

The Cavaliers go a perfect 7-for-7 from the stripe to salt away Game 2 – 99-93 – before heading to the nation’s capital in the hopes of wrapping matters up. TheBron finishes with 33 points and 11 boards. Antawn Jamison leads Washington with 29 and 12.

Mike Brown’s men take a minute to kibitz with media, eat a sandwich and kiss loved ones before mounting the well-rested Team Bus bound for D.C. – up two games in the seven-game series.

The Optimist
Sounds about right to me, especially with Caron Butler guaranteed out for the series for Washington. What do you think?

[Basketball News]

With LeBron James playing cautiously on a sprained left ankle, Gooden scored 19 of his 24 points before halftime Wednesday night, powering the Cavaliers to a 109-102 victory over the Washington Wizards and a 2-0 lead in their first-round series.

Gooden, James Lead Cavaliers to 2-0 Lead Over Wizards

[azrael492]

They need to get the sweep to possibly give LeBron's ankle time to heal.

It is also good to see Gooden step up. They are never going to win a championship if they depend on LeBron to win every game. He needs help out there.