Game 18: Portland vs Cleveland 4:00pm Root+

[Brandon-Clyde]

vs



Time: 4:00 pm
Place: Cleveland
TV: Root+



GLB of the game Jamie Chung

Spoiler:

[SunsRback4Good]

Is Josh Hart playing or did he sprain his ankle and needs few more games to get better?

[GEE]

The Bucks are clearly the best team in the East, even without being full strength, but the Cavs are right up there too. I like their chances as much or more than BKN and Philly. They will likely give us even bigger trouble in the paint with not only their size, but we will also have the added challenge of keeping Mitchell from dunking all over us. Curious who plays tonight... Sucks that Simons is the only real ball-handling guard of the 4 that's been available. Again, another huge test for our Bigs tonight.

Not feelin' good about this one, but then again, I was soo wrong about the last one. Keon alone would be a major help. 2 more weeks on GP2 I'm guessing, and Dame's looking Day to Day... for the next several years. Winslow helps a ton, and I've always liked his ability to do everything including PG duties, but I prefer him to be a luxury, and not a necessity at the PG. Overall... concerns with the biggest and smallest parts of our roster depth, I think we will lose some very winnable games until fixed. We are 18 games in!

[Case2012]

We won a lot of close games to start the year, so it makes some sense with the laws of probability that we’d lose a bunch of close games too. I blame Billups incredibly bad late game coaching personally but I’m trying to be optimistic about tonight after losing 3 straight. Grant needs to find that swagger he had for a stretch a few weeks ago and Simons needs to focus on setting up his teammates and not sucking the energy out of the team by being selfish and chucking 3s every time he touches the ball.

Nurkic needs a to have a good game too with all the size CLE has. If he can stick to boxing out, playing defense without fouling and not whining to the refs constantly we’ll have a good shot.

Really would be nice if the all defense guard we signed locking up the 2 all stars in CLE backcourt tonight…

[Brandon-Clyde]

1st quarter GLB pic

Spoiler:

[Brandon-Clyde]

2nd quarter GLB pic

Spoiler:

[Case2012]

The unforced turnovers this team commits consistently EVERY game are so aggravating. I don't understand how they can be so bad.

[Case2012]

Really hating the body language and effort... Looking like the Utah game all over again. Not sure what's going on, but they don't seem to be mentally in the game. It's like the turnovers just suck the effort from everyone. It's got to be horrible for team chemistry.

[Case2012]

It's like we traded IQ for athleticism...

[Brandon-Clyde]

3rd quarter GLB pic

Spoiler:

[GEE]

We won a lot of close games to start the year, so it makes some sense with the laws of probability that we’d lose a bunch of close games too. I blame Billups incredibly bad late game coaching personally but I’m trying to be optimistic about tonight after losing 3 straight. Grant needs to find that swagger he had for a stretch a few weeks ago and Simons needs to focus on setting up his teammates and not sucking the energy out of the team by being selfish and chucking 3s every time he touches the ball.

Nurkic needs a to have a good game too with all the size CLE has. If he can stick to boxing out, playing defense without fouling and not whining to the refs constantly we’ll have a good shot.

Really would be nice if the all defense guard we signed locking up the 2 all stars in CLE backcourt tonight…

We are still, very much an unpolished turd. Keep in mind that Chauncey is only in his 2nd year as a HC, and he, just like a good player, is going to get better... "To be expected", using his' words.

Game 18 tonight and another really good test for Nurkic, Eubanks and Watford. I will likely continue to wish Cronin to test those Charlotte waters, or do us one better than the guy I want. Besides Nurkic, we remain quite small.

Winslow starting with Hart and Grant is really solid, but I also continue to worry about the burden of the PG duties. Very challenging for a young Simons to balance with how ridiculously hot he's shooting it (60% catch and shoot 3's, per TV stat guy), while NEEDING to run the offense. Simons currently has little to no help with the exception of Winslow, as the other 3 more natural PGs in Dame, GP2 and Keon remain sidelined.

And the BOLD portion... Thanks for writing it. It's fair I guess, considering Simons is struggling some with all Chauncey is asking of him, but I think it is also very important to point out that Chauncey is asking the very same thing of Dame. Simply, as a PG: Assists to Turnover ratio is far more important than shot making. Think CP3, Steve Nash or Mike Conley. Dame just deserves, and needs the same level of critique is all I'm getting at. Someone must maintain the PG duties at all times, and Dame is a KILLER/SCORER at heart and has always been a Combo/SG under 8 years of Stotts. He is now being asked to get even better, which must be a tough challenge for him... along with Simons. I remain hopeful, and remain confident that worst case, long-term, one could always move Simons to the 6th man, but only if Dame can stay healthy. Not doing so adds another HUGE complication to what Chauncey is trying to accomplish.

Staying positive, as change is sometimes and often difficult for anyone... even O.

[Case2012]

The foul disparity is astounding. The Cavs are doing whatever they want mugging everyone and they get breathed in and it's a foul. They didn't even commit 5 team fouls the third qtr. Blatant favoritism for the home team.

[Brandon-Clyde]

4th quarter GLB pic

Spoiler:

[BlazersBroncos]

Ant has been such a disappointment this season so far. Other than a few hot shooting quarters he has beeen decidedly average. He is just chucking. Malik Monk could put up the same numbers if given the green light like Simons.

[Case2012]

The Cavs haven't committed a foul yet this qtr. You gotta **** kidding me.

[Goldbum]

Ant needs to do a better job of reading the D when he drives. If he could read and react those turnovers will go down and free throws up.

[monopoman]

Rough 4 game streak, the one upside at least these games are mostly against quality teams its far more annoying going on a 4 game losing streak when facing off against mostly the worst teams in the NBA.

[BlazersBroncos]

Ant has been such a disappointment this season so far. Other than a few hot shooting quarters he has beeen decidedly average. He is just chucking. Malik Monk could put up the same numbers if given the green light like Simons.

[Case2012]

Trade for Durant..

[Norm2953]

BB would probably trade Ant for Jonathan Isaac who hasn't played since the 2020 season