A bit nervous

Remember what I said about the Cavaliers having to fight last season's collapse until they finally clinch a playoff spot?
Look no further than the past two games to find prime examples of the Cavs wilting under the expectation of winning. A collapse is less likely than last year, especially since the Cavs have already achieved 36 wins and now play seven of their next nine at home, but the knotted stomachs -- for both players and fans -- remain from a year ago. And they probably won't disappear until a little "x" appears next to Cleveland in the newspaper standings.
After taking a second-half spill and losing in Miami on Sunday, the Cavs headed to Dallas to take on the powerful-but-shorthanded Mavericks Tuesday night.
Much like against Miami, it was Jekyll-and-Hyde, and the horrific transformation occurred at halftime.
Cleveland looked like a team on the cusp of elite status in the first half, when they took a 19-point lead and looked ready to cruise to a big road win.
Then came the second half, when the winner is decided, and the Cavs suddenly turned weak-kneed. To use a sports cliche, they started playing not to lose. And the Mavs, even battling the injury bug, smelled the blood in the water.
Cleveland's double-digit lead had been vaporized by the end of the third quarter, when Dirk Nowitzki canned a jumper to tie the game at 61. During the quarter, the Cavs were outscored 27-8 and shot 18 percent from the floor.
Cleveland then proceeded to give up the first seven points of the fourth quarter, and never recovered, losing 91-87.
The Cavs can add players to get more physically tough. But mental toughness is an in-house issue that must be addressed by coach Mike Brown and his players. Right now, that area between the ears is costing them games.