Brian Windhorst of the Beacon Journal has a nice article summarizing the last seven games since Hughes went down.
“The Cavs have averaged 92 points, 10 below their average in the first 28 games, and all five losses have been by nine points or less.
The starting backcourt of Eric Snow and Damon Jones has averaged just 10.3 points combined, and Jones is shooting 24 percent from the field.
Backups Ira Newble, Luke Jackson and Mike Wilks have failed to bring much relief. The foot injury Newble suffered seems to have robbed him of what he had left of his shot. Since returning, he’s 1-of-20 on jump shots and just 5-of-29 overall. Jackson is shooting 35 percent for the season, 33 percent in the last seven games. Wilks is shooting 29 percent on the season, 35 percent in the last seven.
The Cavs’ bench players have been outscored 131-58 during the losing streak, including 40-9 Sunday night in Portland.
Sure James hasn’t been able to come through in a couple of late-game spots, but the above numbers indicate it often has been a one- or two-man show.
“We just need a couple of more plays made; that will turn this thing around,” he said. “Guys are going to have to prepare themselves to step up, including myself.”