Mike Brown called an isolation play for Lebron James to exercise his Game 1 demons and win the game, down by 1. Rip Hamilton plays tough D, creates minor contact but no blood, no foul - in the last ticks anyway. Even for the “king”. Ball rims out. Larry Hughes gets the rebound, pulls a fadeaway from about 7-feet. Clank. Varejao tips the ball towards the rim. Clank.

Detroit took it, 79-76. Yet again, Cleveland had the chance to win it but… no dice.

At some point we may have to concede that the “basketball gods” do not want the Cavs to win. Or we could one day look back and refer to this as “The Year” and laugh as Lebron finally makes his way to a certified contender and wins a handful of championships.

“You don’t get through Detroit training in no pool!” - says Wise ‘Bron.

Damn straight.

What a game. Lebron decides to shoot s’more (19 shots = 19 pts, 7 assists, 6 boards).

Tayshaun Prince is still strug-gling on offense (41 = 0-for-8, 1-2 FT, 1 pt). I know the man has to guard Lebron but still…

Jason Maxiell’s 15 pts off the bench were solid hype points. Any one else think his arm length isn’t regulation size? If you’re not 7-feet tall, you shouldn’t be able to dunk on folks without really jumping. Crazy.

Sheed, not surprisingly, has been solid in both games. He’s easily the Pistons’ best player. Consistent. But in all fairness he pulled a serious Mike Irvin on Verajao for that go-ahead bucket.

More tomorrow. Tough livin, Cavs. Bron. Let the NBA.com recap do for now.