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Cavs got their litmus test.

They were outplayed for 3 quarters by a team missing Zach LeVine and Lonzo Ball, giving up the paint; had a chance with 5 minutes to go and proceeded to play 210 seconds of Sacramento Kings basketball.


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Allen's worst offensive game of the season was not compensated by Markkanen's best. Markkanen had a good shooting night, but this time unfortunately missed the last 3 pointer (unfortunately missed the last one, when Cavs were trailing 106-102).

KuruptedCav wrote:Cavs got their litmus test.

They were outplayed for 3 quarters by a team missing Zach LeVine and Lonzo Ball, giving up the paint; had a chance with 5 minutes to go and proceeded to play 210 seconds of Sacramento Kings basketball.

Technically, we were missing 4 rotational players ourselves. The Bulls got some nice contributions from their reserves, and Ayo especially looks like a great find and gee, maybe 21yr old Coby White wasn't a wasted pick.

What I couldn't figure out, though, was why JBB was easing up on playing Mobley in this game especially at the end of the first half when usually he'd come back in. Maybe their athletic tracking data is telling them to ease off the kid ...

Of course it would have helped a ton if Kevin and Cedi came in and start hitting big shots like we've seen so much of during our winning streak. Just didn't happen this time, and no Evan to clean up the defense.

Ayo did a nice job defending Garland in addition to nailing almost every open shot. Garland still managed to have a productive game and we got some practice letting other players handle the ball more, but IMO it's a problem.

We all know the concerns ... but is there any doubt given the way Caris LeVert has been playing lately that he would help the Cavs?

JonFromVA wrote:

KuruptedCav wrote:Cavs got their litmus test.

They were outplayed for 3 quarters by a team missing Zach LeVine and Lonzo Ball, giving up the paint; had a chance with 5 minutes to go and proceeded to play 210 seconds of Sacramento Kings basketball.

Technically, we were missing 4 rotational players ourselves. The Bulls got some nice contributions from their reserves, and Ayo especially looks like a great find and gee, maybe 21yr old Coby White wasn't a wasted pick.

What I couldn't figure out, though, was why JBB was easing up on playing Mobley in this game especially at the end of the first half when usually he'd come back in. Maybe their athletic tracking data is telling them to ease off the kid ...

Of course it would have helped a ton if Kevin and Cedi came in and start hitting big shots like we've seen so much of during our winning streak. Just didn't happen this time, and no Evan to clean up the defense.

Ayo did a nice job defending Garland in addition to nailing almost every open shot. Garland still managed to have a productive game and we got some practice letting other players handle the ball more, but IMO it's a problem.

We all know the concerns ... but is there any doubt given the way Caris LeVert has been playing lately that he would help the Cavs?

Don't need player tracking data to see that Mobley's defense has fallen off a bit. It might be the increased offensive role, but it might just be that he's tired.

Allen looked mediocre yesterday, Vucevic went right around him once and he looked like he was moving in slow motion.

LeVert's price is going up the way he's been playing, that's for certain.

toooskies wrote:

JonFromVA wrote:

KuruptedCav wrote:Cavs got their litmus test.

They were outplayed for 3 quarters by a team missing Zach LeVine and Lonzo Ball, giving up the paint; had a chance with 5 minutes to go and proceeded to play 210 seconds of Sacramento Kings basketball.

Technically, we were missing 4 rotational players ourselves. The Bulls got some nice contributions from their reserves, and Ayo especially looks like a great find and gee, maybe 21yr old Coby White wasn't a wasted pick.

What I couldn't figure out, though, was why JBB was easing up on playing Mobley in this game especially at the end of the first half when usually he'd come back in. Maybe their athletic tracking data is telling them to ease off the kid ...

Of course it would have helped a ton if Kevin and Cedi came in and start hitting big shots like we've seen so much of during our winning streak. Just didn't happen this time, and no Evan to clean up the defense.

Ayo did a nice job defending Garland in addition to nailing almost every open shot. Garland still managed to have a productive game and we got some practice letting other players handle the ball more, but IMO it's a problem.

We all know the concerns ... but is there any doubt given the way Caris LeVert has been playing lately that he would help the Cavs?

Don't need player tracking data to see that Mobley's defense has fallen off a bit. It might be the increased offensive role, but it might just be that he's tired.

Allen looked mediocre yesterday, Vucevic went right around him once and he looked like he was moving in slow motion.

LeVert's price is going up the way he's been playing, that's for certain.

Well, we finally get a couple of days off and a stretch of home games, let's see if that helps?

JBB still played Garland 40 minutes, so, unless it's input from the training staff - it's not really clear what if anything is guiding JBB on play time.

Bullstuff wrote:Allen's worst offensive game of the season was not compensated by Markkanen's best. Markkanen had a good shooting night, but this time unfortunately missed the last 3 pointer (unfortunately missed the last one, when Cavs were trailing 106-102).

He was the hot hand of the night. It was his shot.

FranchisePlayer wrote:

Bullstuff wrote:Allen's worst offensive game of the season was not compensated by Markkanen's best. Markkanen had a good shooting night, but this time unfortunately missed the last 3 pointer (unfortunately missed the last one, when Cavs were trailing 106-102).

He was the hot hand of the night. It was his shot.

Worth a shot, Lauri made a big shot the other night and we need to start figuring out who we can trust to close games.

It would be nice if we could do better than Darius driving and trying to get fouled.

Totally agreeing with both of you.