Game 66: Cavs @ Grizzlies 3/14/2025

[ijspeelman]

#Cavs say Donovan Mitchell is out tomorrow night against Memphis with a groin injury. De’Andre Hunter is probable (illness).

https://bsky.app/profile/dannycunningham.bsky.social/post/3lkc5kl7bpk2o

[JujitsuFlip]

That stinks, i really hope this is not the same groin injury from 2023 for Mitchell.

Looks like he had a little groin something in 2024 too.

I'd rest him for as long as he needs. These final few games do not matter, Cavs should still be able to lock up the #1 seed in the East.

[JonFromVA]

That stinks, i really hope this is not the same groin injury from 2023 for Mitchell.

Looks like he had a little groin something in 2024 too.

I'd rest him for as long as he needs. These final few games do not matter, Cavs should still be able to lock up the #1 seed in the East.

They've said it's minor, but this type of injury doesn't heal quickly and can easily be aggravated.

Alas we don't just need to get Don and DG in to the playoffs healthy, we need to somehow keep them healthy through it.

[JujitsuFlip]

That stinks, i really hope this is not the same groin injury from 2023 for Mitchell.

Looks like he had a little groin something in 2024 too.

I'd rest him for as long as he needs. These final few games do not matter, Cavs should still be able to lock up the #1 seed in the East.

They've said it's minor, but this type of injury doesn't heal quickly and can easily be aggravated.

Alas we don't just need to get Don and DG in to the playoffs healthy, we need to somehow keep them healthy through it.

Yeah, i don't wanna jinx it but with some of our history and guys reputation, i think keeping all 10 to 12 guys in our rotation healthy, come playoff time, is a pipe dream.

We started dropping like flies last season in the playoffs.

[JonFromVA]

That stinks, i really hope this is not the same groin injury from 2023 for Mitchell.

Looks like he had a little groin something in 2024 too.

I'd rest him for as long as he needs. These final few games do not matter, Cavs should still be able to lock up the #1 seed in the East.

They've said it's minor, but this type of injury doesn't heal quickly and can easily be aggravated.

Alas we don't just need to get Don and DG in to the playoffs healthy, we need to somehow keep them healthy through it.

Yeah, i don't wanna jinx it but with some of our history and guys reputation, i think keeping all 10 to 12 guys in our rotation healthy, come playoff time, is a pipe dream.

We started dropping like flies last season in the playoffs.

I think we've addressed what we can address, we just need to hope for some luck.

But we are not a team of iron men, that's for sure.

In a sense the Memphis game will be a good test. Usually when we rest a starter it's against a team we can afford to, but Memphis should be a much better test of whether the rest of the guys can step up with Don out and Darius still dealing with his hip/etc.

[JujitsuFlip]

They've said it's minor, but this type of injury doesn't heal quickly and can easily be aggravated.

Alas we don't just need to get Don and DG in to the playoffs healthy, we need to somehow keep them healthy through it.

Yeah, i don't wanna jinx it but with some of our history and guys reputation, i think keeping all 10 to 12 guys in our rotation healthy, come playoff time, is a pipe dream.

We started dropping like flies last season in the playoffs.

I think we've addressed what we can address, we just need to hope for some luck.

But we are not a team of iron men, that's for sure.

In a sense the Memphis game will be a good test. Usually when we rest a starter it's against a team we can afford to, but Memphis should be a much better test of whether the rest of the guys can step up with Don out and Darius still dealing with his hip/etc.

Let's put an iron man in spot 15

[ijspeelman]

Ngl thought this was the game our streak ended. No Mitchell and vs a good to great Grizzlies squad. This team just keeps rising to the occasion

[JujitsuFlip]

[JonFromVA]

Ngl thought this was the game our streak ended. No Mitchell and vs a good to great Grizzlies squad. This team just keeps rising to the occasion

It's crazy how we we can let Tatum, Jokic, Giannis, Morant, etc, go off on us burying 2pt shot after 2pt shot and barely flinch.

[ijspeelman]

Ngl thought this was the game our streak ended. No Mitchell and vs a good to great Grizzlies squad. This team just keeps rising to the occasion

It's crazy how we we can let Tatum, Jokic, Giannis, Morant, etc, go off on us burying 2pt shot after 2pt shot and barely flinch.

Looked yesterday and we still have the number one ORTG and have risen to fifth in DRTG (above the Celts). That’s a formula for success lol.

You survive the inevitable punches from star players while maintaining a lead. I’ve really bought in fully to what this team is selling. Have had doubts the whole year up until recently and am now just looking towards the playoffs

[JonFromVA]

Ngl thought this was the game our streak ended. No Mitchell and vs a good to great Grizzlies squad. This team just keeps rising to the occasion

It's crazy how we we can let Tatum, Jokic, Giannis, Morant, etc, go off on us burying 2pt shot after 2pt shot and barely flinch.

Looked yesterday and we still have the number one ORTG and have risen to fifth in DRTG (above the Celts). That’s a formula for success lol.

You survive the inevitable punches from star players while maintaining a lead. I’ve really bought in fully to what this team is selling. Have had doubts the whole year up until recently and am now just looking towards the playoffs

Wow really?

It sounds so depressing the way you put that.

What's going to happen is out of our control, but this has not only been the greatest team in Cavs history and arguably the funnest to watch.

As Nick once said, what's not to like?

[ijspeelman]

It's crazy how we we can let Tatum, Jokic, Giannis, Morant, etc, go off on us burying 2pt shot after 2pt shot and barely flinch.

Looked yesterday and we still have the number one ORTG and have risen to fifth in DRTG (above the Celts). That’s a formula for success lol.

You survive the inevitable punches from star players while maintaining a lead. I’ve really bought in fully to what this team is selling. Have had doubts the whole year up until recently and am now just looking towards the playoffs

Wow really?

It sounds so depressing the way you put that.

What's going to happen is out of our control, but this has not only been the greatest team in Cavs history and arguably the funnest to watch.

As Nick once said, what's not to like?

I just don't think there many more tests in the regular season anymore. I'm just sitting back enjoying the games without much thought.

I agree this is the actual best Cavs team of all time and some of the most fun I've had watching bball

[jbk1234]

Ngl thought this was the game our streak ended. No Mitchell and vs a good to great Grizzlies squad. This team just keeps rising to the occasion

It's crazy how we we can let Tatum, Jokic, Giannis, Morant, etc, go off on us burying 2pt shot after 2pt shot and barely flinch.

The problem with those types of offenses are twofold: the stars get tired over the course of the game; and their teammates don't get in any type of rhythm. It's why LBJ always tried to get his teammates going early.

[JonFromVA]

Ngl thought this was the game our streak ended. No Mitchell and vs a good to great Grizzlies squad. This team just keeps rising to the occasion

It's crazy how we we can let Tatum, Jokic, Giannis, Morant, etc, go off on us burying 2pt shot after 2pt shot and barely flinch.

The problem with those types of offenses are twofold: the stars get tired over the course of the game; and their teammates don't get in any type of rhythm. It's why LBJ always tried to get his teammates going early.

Yes, we've seen Tatum and Brown start bricking shots as the game drags on, but Ja just kept attacking the rim and his scoring didn't slow down one bit. It just wasn't enough to make a dent. In the 3rd quarter it was Jarrett and Isaac providing the scoring at first, then it became Ty, Sam, and DeAndre.

When our offense is working, it's not all about one or two guys.

Of course in the LeBron days, we'd dig a hole whenever he had to sit, but we haven't had to deal with that either. Our offense benefits greatly from having Garland, Mitchell, and Jerome but they're not required to just get us in to a play.

And yes, the advantage of keeping teammates fresh, engaged, and in the flow of the game on both ends is grossly overlooked.

[jbk1234]

It's crazy how we we can let Tatum, Jokic, Giannis, Morant, etc, go off on us burying 2pt shot after 2pt shot and barely flinch.

The problem with those types of offenses are twofold: the stars get tired over the course of the game; and their teammates don't get in any type of rhythm. It's why LBJ always tried to get his teammates going early.

Yes, we've seen Tatum and Brown start bricking shots as the game drags on, but Ja just kept attacking the rim and his scoring didn't slow down one bit. It just wasn't enough to make a dent. In the 3rd quarter it was Jarrett and Isaac providing the scoring at first, then it became Ty, Sam, and DeAndre.

When our offense is working, it's not all about one or two guys.

Of course in the LeBron days, we'd dig a hole whenever he had to sit, but we haven't had to deal with that either. Our offense benefits greatly from having Garland, Mitchell, and Jerome but they're not required to just get us in to a play.

And yes, the advantage of keeping teammates fresh, engaged, and in the flow of the game on both ends is grossly overlooked.

I think you might be underestimating how much attention Mitchell, Garland, and to a lesser extent, Ty command from opposing defenses. Garland was +17 last night.

[JonFromVA]

The problem with those types of offenses are twofold: the stars get tired over the course of the game; and their teammates don't get in any type of rhythm. It's why LBJ always tried to get his teammates going early.

Yes, we've seen Tatum and Brown start bricking shots as the game drags on, but Ja just kept attacking the rim and his scoring didn't slow down one bit. It just wasn't enough to make a dent. In the 3rd quarter it was Jarrett and Isaac providing the scoring at first, then it became Ty, Sam, and DeAndre.

When our offense is working, it's not all about one or two guys.

Of course in the LeBron days, we'd dig a hole whenever he had to sit, but we haven't had to deal with that either. Our offense benefits greatly from having Garland, Mitchell, and Jerome but they're not required to just get us in to a play.

And yes, the advantage of keeping teammates fresh, engaged, and in the flow of the game on both ends is grossly overlooked.

I think you might be underestimating how much attention Mitchell, Garland, and to a lesser extent, Ty command from opposing defenses. Garland was +17 last night.

Not at all, I'm just saying we're not as dependent on that action like other teams who play a more ISO style around a singular superstar.

Heck, when we beat the Pelicans back in November, Garland missed the game and Mitchell and Jerome combined for all of 3 assists. CPJ and Tyson got 30+ minutes and dished out 7 assists each, Allen dished 4, even Travers dished 3.