Our Cleveland Cavaliers kicked off the five days ‘til Christmas countdown with a loss in the Lonestar State.  But c’est la vie my good fellows.  They will be back in action again tonight in the Valley of the Sun to take on Steve Nash and Co.

And here’s how it breaks down:

Happy First Day of Winter!

The Phoenix Suns enter Monday night’s matchup with a league-best 18 game home win streak.  Each of their five starters average double digits in the scoring column with Steve Nash as the anchor.  Nash accounts for better than 18 points and 11 assists per game while Amar’e Stoudemire adds 20 points and 8.3 rebounds every night.  Channing Frye puts up 11.6 points per contest due in large part to his impressive 45.8% three point shooting percentage.

What to Look For:

In the first meeting between these two teams, Cleveland had 7 players hit the double-digit mark in the scoring column and Zydrunas Ilgauskas led the way with 14.  If the Cavs defense can contain the run-and-gun attack of the Phoenix Suns, look for Cleveland to escape with another win.

LeBron James did not attempt a single free throw in Cleveland’s first meeting with the Suns and the team only tried 16.  Look for Bron to be more aggressive and attack the rack for a 30+ point performance.

Prediction:

December 21^st marks the date of the 2009 Winter Solstice.  Since ancient times people have marked the winter solstice with countless cultural and religious traditions – it’s no coincidence that the modern holiday season surrounds the first day of winter.  During the winter solstice the sun hugs closer to the horizon than at any other time during the year, producing the least amount of daylight annually.

And that is where tonight’s contest comes in.  Not only do the Cavaliers take down the Suns in their first loss at home this season, tonight will mark LeBron James’s shortest outing of this young season.

The Cavs take the lead from the opening tip on a two-handed blast by the Shaqalier (formerly known as the Big Shaqtus).  LeBron James leads the way with 15 points in the first period while Shaq add 9 and Cleveland takes a 6 point first quarter advantage.

The King picks up right where he left off and pours in another 9 points before heading into the locker room at the break with the Cavs leading 58-49.

Mo Williams cans a tre to open the second half and hits a fade away deuce to put the Wine and Gold up by 14.  Cleveland keeps the pressure on throughout the third quarter and takes the floor in the final period up by three touchdowns.

The fourth quarter unit consisting of Mo Williams, Delonte West, Anderson Varejao, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, and Anthony Parker extend the lead to as much as 25 and the King never sees the floor again.  With two minutes remaining, Mike Brown empties his bench and the Suns are left scratching their heads wonderin’ what just hit ‘em.  Cavs take a big road win, 118-101.

CAVS WIN +17