Game 62: Nuggets @ Cavs 2/23/2023

Post #1 » by **ijspeelman** » Thu Feb 23, 2023 11:22 pm

This is one of our last really big games left. I do think we need to win a few of these if we want a good indication of play-off success this year.

Post #2 » by **ijspeelman** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 1:11 am

Really great first half. Shots weren't going down as we like in the first half, but we still got it done.

I may need to re-watch the game to just watch our defensive against Jokic. Without fully knowing what's going on, we are playing him a step ahead whereas normally its the other way around.

JujitsuFlip · Post #3 » by **JujitsuFlip** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 1:16 am

Didn't even realize hoops was back.

Post #4 » by **ijspeelman** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 2:20 am

afarmenian · Post #5 » by **afarmenian** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 2:24 am

Another letdown in the clutch just frustrating that you bring in Donovan for these types of games and its not paying any dividends. But thats done and there is nothing you can do about it now.......even more concerning why the hell do we not have a back up big? What is KA doing???? This team needs a 3rd big in the worse way and so many have been had for cheap...did we inquire on Cody Zeller? We need a big man off bench just as much as we need shooter. Such an obvious need its annoying they stood pat on that.

Post #6 » by **jbk1234** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 2:36 am

afarmenian wrote:Another letdown in the clutch just frustrating that you bring in Donovan for these types of games and its not paying any dividends. But thats done and there is nothing you can do about it now.......even more concerning why the hell do we not have a back up big? What is KA doing???? This team needs a 3rd big in the worse way and so many have been had for cheap...did we inquire on Cody Zeller? We need a big man off bench just as much as we need shooter. Such an obvious need its annoying they stood pat on that.

There were basically 8 players in the paint for every offensive possessions the Cavs had in the last 5 minutes. We need Mitchell, Garland, or both of them to get hot from outside to have adequate spacing to close out games. JBB's preference for non-shooters out of the SF position is like having to beat a 10-point spread against top teams.

JujitsuFlip · Post #7 » by **JujitsuFlip** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 3:29 am

jbk1234 wrote:
afarmenian wrote:Another letdown in the clutch just frustrating that you bring in Donovan for these types of games and its not paying any dividends. But thats done and there is nothing you can do about it now.......even more concerning why the hell do we not have a back up big? What is KA doing???? This team needs a 3rd big in the worse way and so many have been had for cheap...did we inquire on Cody Zeller? We need a big man off bench just as much as we need shooter. Such an obvious need its annoying they stood pat on that.

There were basically 8 players in the paint for every offensive possessions the Cavs had in the last 8 minutes. We need Mitchell, Garland, or both of them to get hot from outside to have adequate spacing to close out games. JBB's preference for non-shooters out of the SF position is like having to beat a 10-point spread against top teams.

It's only going to get worse in the playoffs.

JonFromVA · Post #8 » by **JonFromVA** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 4:45 pm

Mobley was brilliant, but being able to play through a big in crunch time is non-trivial. Certainly it's not something Mitchell or Garland are used to. Maybe Rubio if available would have figured out a way to keep him involved?

But even with questionable spacing, it's not unreasonable to expect Mitchell and Garland to create and hit shots - it's what they do - it's why they're here. Our defense had us in the game and I thought Lamar played really well.

It amazes me that Darius is shooting a career high 41.5% on his 3pters this season when he really hasn't looked right since he started getting beat up early in the season carrying forward to that thumb injury.

JonFromVA · Post #9 » by **JonFromVA** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 6:58 pm

JujitsuFlip wrote:
jbk1234 wrote:
afarmenian wrote:Another letdown in the clutch just frustrating that you bring in Donovan for these types of games and its not paying any dividends. But thats done and there is nothing you can do about it now.......even more concerning why the hell do we not have a back up big? What is KA doing???? This team needs a 3rd big in the worse way and so many have been had for cheap...did we inquire on Cody Zeller? We need a big man off bench just as much as we need shooter. Such an obvious need its annoying they stood pat on that.

There were basically 8 players in the paint for every offensive possessions the Cavs had in the last 8 minutes. We need Mitchell, Garland, or both of them to get hot from outside to have adequate spacing to close out games. JBB's preference for non-shooters out of the SF position is like having to beat a 10-point spread against top teams.
It's only going to get worse in the playoffs.

It won't be so bad if one of DG or DM are shooting well and if both of them get hot at the same time, we should be able to do some serious damage.

If our offense had proper spacing, we'd do quite well just getting them open shots; but because we lack that we need more. Their shooting needs to be at red-alert level (step-back 3's and whatnot) where defenses have no choice but to bend to the pressure.

Post #10 » by **jbk1234** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 7:11 pm

JonFromVA wrote:Mobley was brilliant, but being able to play through a big in crunch time is non-trivial. Certainly it's not something Mitchell or Garland are used to. Maybe Rubio if available would have figured out a way to keep him involved?

But even with questionable spacing, it's not unreasonable to expect Mitchell and Garland to create and hit shots - it's what they do - it's why they're here. Our defense had us in the game and I thought Lamar played really well.

It amazes me that Darius is shooting a career high 41.5% on his 3pters this season when he really hasn't looked right since he started getting beat up early in the season carrying forward to that thumb injury.

No Cavs player is a bigger beneficiary of low expectations than Lamar Stevens. The guy plays himself up to nuetral, and that's being generous, and Cavs fans call it a good game.

JonFromVA · Post #11 » by **JonFromVA** » Fri Feb 24, 2023 9:15 pm

jbk1234 wrote:
JonFromVA wrote:Mobley was brilliant, but being able to play through a big in crunch time is non-trivial. Certainly it's not something Mitchell or Garland are used to. Maybe Rubio if available would have figured out a way to keep him involved?

But even with questionable spacing, it's not unreasonable to expect Mitchell and Garland to create and hit shots - it's what they do - it's why they're here. Our defense had us in the game and I thought Lamar played really well.

It amazes me that Darius is shooting a career high 41.5% on his 3pters this season when he really hasn't looked right since he started getting beat up early in the season carrying forward to that thumb injury.

No Cavs player is a bigger beneficiary of low expectations than Lamar Stevens. The guy plays himself up to nuetral, and that's being generous, and Cavs fans call it a good game.

Did Lamar piss in your Cheerios?

He had an impactful game.

True, it wasn't a Kevin Love type of game ... I mean he wasn't -20 in 12 minutes or anything like that.