ECF: | (1) Cleveland Cavaliers vs (2) Toronto Raptors | CLE 2-1

[gino_giode]

Cavs need to figure out a way to get Biyombo out of the game or at least neutralize his inside presence. The kid was amazing in game 3 with his tough defense on drives while cleanly blocking LeBron/Kyrie all night.

Obviously when he's covering TT he could give a **** and leaves to play free safety on defense. Run a KLove and Frye lineup to force him away from the basket. Cavs lose some offensive rebounding, but their offense at least isn't stifled inside. May even force Casey to go smaller to match the speed.

exactly what happened in the second half, exactly what allowed the cavs to erase an eighteen point lead. good call

Thanks. It just seemed like a simple adjustment I'm surprised the Cavs didn't implement it in game 3 or early in game 4. I only watched bits and pieces of game 4 so they might have tried earlier, but KLove was hot garbage. Once the much more reliable shooter in Frye became the lone big, Biyo's sagging on defense bit them in the ass. Then when he played tighter D it looks like the Cavs finally had open lanes in the paint.

This is basically the strategy that has given them so much success these playoffs except both KLove and Frye were hitting. I liked that they tried to get Love going in the paint more and he was aggressive at times, but he's gotta use his offensive skill set to draw some fouls. Everything's been a fade away for him.

It will be interesting to see if the Raps will use JV the same way as Biyo. IMO they will, and live with KLove/Frye trying to make open 3s. Meanwhile they can march back the other way and let JV use his huge body to get inside position for more high % shots.

Anyways, for the Cavs to win game 5 either Frye/Love must have a big game.

[gino_giode]

I'm a big fan of the two bigs playing the high-low, also Love has become more efficient from that top of the key region over the past few years.


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Either way, I hope the Cavs are thinking about ways to get easy two-point baskets. the Hawks compacted the key and the Cavs couldn't find an avenue in except for Lebron making things happen as the screener and curling, along with them being deadly from three. Now that Toronto has incorporated that ideology, the difficulties to get high percentage easy 2's is still continuing. I'm fascinated to see what adjustments they make offensively.

Curious if you've done any breakdowns on game 4 yet?

It seemed to me like James was much more determined to take/make the mid-range J as soon as he was open or was switched on. It's sad how his 3pt shot has disappeared over the past couple of season since the Raps have been disdainfully daring him to shoot from deep this series, but at least he's willing to take that shot at times rather than trying to run iso and beat his defender off the dribble. Just curious if the Cavs are crashing the offensive boards with their bigs on those occassions.