Game 44: Cavs @ 76ers 1/24/2025

[ijspeelman]

Today in Cavaliers history: 2006



Cavaliers hold the Pacers to only 66 points (tied for 10th lowest in franchise history for opponent score) behind LeBron James' 23 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals and Zydrunas Ilgauskas' 18 points, 9 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 2 steals for the win

[JujitsuFlip]

No Mobley or Okoro again, whomp.

[mcfly1204]

Allen should feast tonight. Outside of that, would be nice to see if we can slow down Maxey.

[ijspeelman]

Cleveland Cavaliers - Starting - Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Dean Wade, Jarrett Allen
https://bsky.app/profile/bbmalerts.bsky.social/post/3lgjkwatr3g2p

Philadelphia 76ers - Starting - Tyrese Maxey, Eric Gordon, Kelly Oubre, Paul George, Guerschon Yabusele
https://bsky.app/profile/bbmalerts.bsky.social/post/3lgjkorsshf2p

[jbk1234]

Philly fans need to boo Oubre, not the officials.

[jbk1234]

Niang has to give us more on the defensive boards. There are way too many possessions where he's out of position and doesn't bother getting a body on anyone.

[ijspeelman]

Merrill's shot looks really good rn. One of the first times I've been able to say that this season

[ijspeelman]

6ers are shooting a bit above their weight at the moment

[jbk1234]

It feels like we're point shaving when we play Niang and TT together.

[jbk1234]

If I'm Kenny, I'm keeping Mobley on rehab for a couple more games. The trade deadline is the 6th. Let Altman have a good hard look at our backup big situation.

[ijspeelman]

It feels like we're point shaving when we play Niang and TT together.

I know we have a lot of wing injuries so there aren't a ton of options, but I still almost prefer Wade off the bench and slot one of Merrill, Niang, or Tyson into the starting line-up. Wade should get more minutes than any of those guys, but having him as the back-up big or back-up 4 with TT is def better than the Niang + TT line-ups.

[ijspeelman]

This has been an odd game. We feel completely in control, but are only winning by 3 at half against an injured and not good 6ers team

[jbk1234]

Kenny should've challenged that Wade foul on Yabulse. That was straight garbage.

[jbk1234]

I'm trying not to overreact to Niang's play, but come on. One of Merrill or Ty Jerome have to go to the bench in favor Tyson with Niang on the floor.

[jbk1234]

I have no idea why Niang is on the floor with less than 5 minutes in a close game. It's kind of infuriating to watch these 10 point swings over and over again.

[ijspeelman]

yikes

I still think 6ers made a dumb amount of hard threes, but uhhh you gotta win that one

mitchell was pretty pissed on that last out of bounds play to tie the game and it wasn't at jerome who threw it away. I assume the ending of the play was for Niang to run to the opposite sideline and his ran the wrong route (I think, based on who Mitchell yelled at and how Niang reacted walking to the bench)

[ijspeelman]

And with potentially no Wade, LeVert, Okoro, or Mobley in the Rockets game... it'll be an interesting one

Wade getting injured in this game made Kenny stick with Niang through the 4th quarter and I think I agree that Tyson should have had a shout

Kind of a waste of an all-time Jerome performance, but on to the next

[jbk1234]

Was Wade injured? Niang was flat out awful tonight and Kenny kept putting him back out there. It's not just defense either. He's a poor rebounder. He didn't set a screen on that in-bound play. He didn't use all his fouls.

[ijspeelman]

Was Wade injured? Niang was flat out awful tonight and Kenny kept putting him back out there. It's not just defense either. He's a poor rebounder. He didn't set a screen on that in-bound play. He didn't use all his fouls.

He injured his knee, reports said. I didn't see when, but saw the notif sometime in the 4th (broadcast didn't announce it)

[cavs4872]

That Niang pass pisses me off to no end. Totally pointless; 0% chance of anything happening off that. Better off taking a clean 3/4ths-court heave.