GAME #78: CAVS (46-32) @ LAC (49-28)—SUN 4/7 12:30 PM

[LamarWho]

Missed the comeback but was surprised Terance Hesi Mann took that 3 late in the game. Looking more and more likely it's gonna be Luka round 3.

[esqtvd]

Let's be real here, these guys are role players, this is what role players do. Some games they step up, some games they don't. Some games they are aggressive, some games they are timid. I think we really have to get away from this type of analysis. Mann isn't going to go 6/6 every night because he's "allowed" to make plays. Coffey was 1/6, went 0/5 in the first 3 quarters and made a big three. Here's what this kind of analysis does, if Coffey missed that three, it changes to "Lue is the worst, always playing favorites, he saw Coffey was off all game and still kept him in to be in position to take a big shot".

If these guys could do big things every night, they would have much larger salaries.

If you discount the 0-5 in Beard's first 5 games with the Clippers, we're at 22 losses, and competing for the #1 seed.

As for the role players, Ty has to re-invent the wheel almost every night Kawhi doesn't play. Mann is not a true NBA starter but fits the role better than Powell or anyone else because there's plenty of scoring and he's the best defender available. Coffey was pushing him for minutes but then took a step back.

Laugh all you want at plus/minus but the best performers over the last 10 games were the best performers tonight and were in for the 4th quarter too:

Per 100 possessions, last 10 games/[tonight's p/m]

Powell plus+7.8 [+18]
Westbrook plus+7.5 [+17]
Plumlee plus+4.5 [+9]
Coffey minus-0.2 [+4]

Mann minus-0.7 [minus-10]
Zu minus-2.0 [minus-10]

Beard minus-3.7 [minus-20]

https://www.nba.com/stats/players/traditional?LastNGames=10&PerMode=Per100Possessions&TeamID=1610612746&dir=A&sort=PLUS_MINUS


When your "eye test" begins to match the stats, you can say you know something about basketball. Coach? He knows hoop. Incredible comeback. Put one in the W column for Ty.

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[donemilio21]

Need to go at least 2-2 in the remaining games to lock up the 4th seed.

We have

Suns
Suns
Jazz
Rockets

that last Rockets game is a matinee. Last one we'll ever play at home. Hopefully, our seeding would be locked by then and Lue can just play the kids.

[esqtvd]

it's all about the D

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Clippers’ player ratings against the Cavs.

[Captain Ballmer]

PG plays like this like 5 games a year. Wish he could do more than that.

Harden though, such a bad looking when your team goes for a run without you. That 80 points first half is happened thanks to his lack of effort in D. Cavs and their young feet enjoyed the 4 on 5 defense. I don't know man, he might even become unplayable in playoff time.

[madmaxmedia]

PG plays like this like 5 games a year. Wish he could do more than that.

Harden though, such a bad looking when your team goes for a run without you. That 80 points first half is happened thanks to his lack of effort in D. Cavs and their young feet enjoyed the 4 on 5 defense. I don't know man, he might even become unplayable in playoff time.

Even joining the team late, he has led the team in minutes and has played through some injuries. Your concern is warranted, but I think he is still overall a definite asset to the team.

OTOH...if he's not a net positive this playoffs, we are cooked.

[Clemenza]

P M***** G!! Pay that man his money! Good move on Lue to keep Russ in the game and sit Harden. Seeing Mann & Coffey step up was beautiful! We'll need more of that moving forward. 50 wins fellas! It's been a while.

[Roscoe Sheed]

PG plays like this like 5 games a year. Wish he could do more than that.

Harden though, such a bad looking when your team goes for a run without you. That 80 points first half is happened thanks to his lack of effort in D. Cavs and their young feet enjoyed the 4 on 5 defense. I don't know man, he might even become unplayable in playoff time.

I think that PG is capable of playing like this when he is the focal point and is feeling well physically.

Harden is definitely an asset on offense even when he isn't making shots just because he is such a great passer.

I am worried though about his defensive deficiencies- especially in the playoffs. It is hard to hide a weak defender now because teams just set endless screens to force the weak defender to guard a good offensive player. Lue may have to sit him if he gets repeatedly cooked by Irving or Doncic. I don't even think it is that much of an effort thing, it is just that his lateral movement on defense is one of the worst for a guard in the NBA

[Sofia]

Sorry, I’m 36 hours late.

I can’t read this team.