Not So Cavalier Now Are You?!? NBA Cup Victory Cigar vs CLE 11/19

[phincsfan]

Issue with the Cavs that still needs addressing... They're not the most effective when four of their best players share the floor together. In 187 minutes with DG-DM-EM-JA, they only have a net rating of 2.6. It's when they sprinkle in their bench players that they've dominated this season. That's less of a factor come playoff time when they have to face starter-heavy lineups.

It's worse for the Knicks 'cos they've been so so bad defensively with Towns as their defensive anchor. Net rating of -0.3 in 250 minutes of JB-MB-OA-KT.

Other teams try and replicate the starting five of the Celtics. Keep trying. Cs legitimately have 5 guys (6 with Horford) that are above average on both ends of the floor. DW-JH-JB-JT currently have a net rating of 19.2 in 176 minutes together. (Outside of PP and some stints with Q, Celtics bench admittedly weak this season compared to last).

Related:

Read on Twitter

In the playoffs where Cs starters + Horford will play the most minutes, Cavs won't have much of an answer.

Yup

No team can beat the C's in a 7 game series.

[Yinwest]

We won more than a game in my opinion. It was important to end their streak, show them who the alpha wolf is.

Like the 2008 Rockets

[fallguy]

Just caught up on the game today.

Horford smartly saves it up for big games. Not sure he'll play a better game this season. Until the playoffs at least.

JT is a the beginning of a four year (maybe more?) prime run where he should get better every year. Incredible. Still think he has one glaring flaw in his decision making but he's going to mow down the league this year.

Glad Queta got some burn in a big game. But I have almost no hope he's ever going to deserve non-development minutes. I also think most of you guys overrate his rebounding.