2025 Playoffs: Round 1, Game 2: Heatz v Cabs - 7:30pm EST on 4/23

[Hallstar]

I'm not blaming Niko, yeah the tos hurt but dude was the catalyst that offered an alternative ball handler that finally got the Cavs off their defensive game

[MettaWorldPanda]

Imagine if we were able to keep Strus and get rid of Stuncan

Strus was one of my faves. We lost him cause of Duncan’s albatross contract. Hopefully will finally be gone next year

[UFAlum88]

Imagine if we were able to keep Strus and get rid of Stuncan

The Fraudfather thought it was smarter to play a G-Leaguer $90 million.

TBF Strus was also a GLeaguer.

Difference is...Robinson should still be in the G-League and Strus is a valuable member of the #1 team.

[K N U C K L E S]

Does Jovic playing in this game mean that Spoelstra conceded the series before the game?

[MettaWorldPanda]

I'm not blaming Niko, yeah the tos hurt but dude was the catalyst that offered an alternative ball handler that finally got the Cavs off their defensive ganes

It’s just a shame he’s still not truly healthy but still has a very bright future here and this playoff experience is still important for him to absorb

[marson]

Key matchups

I said before the series starts, Herro and Mitchell averages will cancel each other out. Need more offensive production from our Captain and Wiggins.

Herro 33
Mitchell 30

Bam 11
Mobley 20

Wiggins 10
Garland 21

[HeatFanDan]

Cute how Tony Brothers found a way to rule against the Heat on every challenge.

[UFAlum88]

Imagine if we were able to keep Strus and get rid of Stuncan

The Fraudfather thought it was smarter to play a G-Leaguer $90 million.

Offered Caleb $65 million!

Gave away a 1st for Rozier that cost us the 11th pick this year!

Cant wait to see the 80 year olds next trick!

Yep. He is lost and Arrison will never fire him.

[Trapstar3]

People blaming Niko while he was a huge factor for us getting back into the game. If anything blame Bam and Wiggins for not being able to score the ball.

Sure, Jovic played his heart out. But he is just average. This team is mostly made up of a lot of bench players who start. It is what it is.

I'll take an average Unicorn over an average horse any day of the week.

[Wiltside]

Niko TO and 2 missed 3s was all she wrote.

Ugly, but still led the team in +/- despite the bad misses and turnovers down the stretch. Tough ask to come into playoff intensity after missing so much time, Spo probably should've turned back to Wiggins or Ware at some point here in the fourth.

This is why BPM is not always that indicative of how a player performs.

Niko is a connector. It's why the team generally plays well when he is on the court. He made some bad plays down the stretch there, and missed some good looks, but he was part of the 5 man unit that got us back in the game. Spo will often ride a lineup too long, which is probably the mistake he made here down the stretch. It's Niko's first real game in line 2-3 months - should've probably gone with a vet down the stretch, but that's the decisions a head coach has to make.

I think people need to remember that Niko is only a year older than Ware. He's young. He's younger than some guys who are about to be drafted. Giving him playoff reps is only going to help development down the line.

[Tim_Hardawayy]

Does Jovic playing in this game mean that Spoelstra conceded the series before the game?

It means he made an adjustment and we gotta give him credit, I was ready to pile on him but he made the changes everyone asked for and even weathered a near record breaking 3-point barrage.

At this point I think we've done what we can from a matchup and strategy perspective, if we're going to make this competitive we just straight up have to play better at home.

[UFAlum88]

Cute how Tony Brothers found a way to rule against the Heat on every challenge.

Was not really subtle, was it?

[Shewasfly]

Why wasn't Wiggins on the floor late in the game?

He sucks.

I honestly wish we could move him to the bench. He'd be much better fit there. Can ball stop and chuck all he wants. But I know Spo/the org wouldn't "disrespect" him that way.

[HeatFanDan]

Cute how Tony Brothers found a way to rule against the Heat on every challenge.

Was not really subtle, was it?

Since when is shooting the ball an "unnatural act"? smh

[3ammy3uck3ts]

Key matchups

I said before the series starts, Herro and Mitchell averages will cancel each other out. Need more offensive production from our Captain and Wiggins.

Herro 33
Mitchell 30

Bam 11
Mobley 20

Wiggins 10
Garland 21

So for the series Bam is the only one up on their matchup but we’re down 0-2.

Herro 54
Mitchell 60

Bam 35
Mobley 29

Wiggins 24
Garland 51

There’s one true outlier here but I know you gotta do you thing

[Tim_Hardawayy]

There is a reason Jimmy loved Niko and Jaime, he loves guys with high bball IQ. Really wish Jaime could play like last year (or that he didn't pork Spo's ex) because we could've really used his shot creating ability.

[MettaWorldPanda]

Butler to lockerroom taken out by Thompson. Looks like that Curry tailbone injury

[Wiltside]

The Fraudfather thought it was smarter to play a G-Leaguer $90 million.

TBF Strus was also a GLeaguer.

Difference is...Robinson should still be in the G-League and Strus is a valuable member of the #1 team.

Don't pretend like you wouldn't be hating on Strus if he was still on our roster.

Dude averaged 9/4/3 this season. If he was here, you'd call it another Riley mistake.

Strus is a better two way player than Duncan. Both are mistake contracts, but Strus can be masked in Cleveland due to their size and length. Strus also is more athletic and strong, so can hold his own better on defense. Duncan sucks, no debate there lol

[Kobewade11]

Butler to lockerroom taken out by Thompson. Looks like that Curry tailbone injury

wont he do it

[3ammy3uck3ts]

I’m not mad at Niko, realistically we should’ve been spamming Herro/Bam 2 man actions down the stretch those last few possessions but we actually got Niko good shots. Those 3s were pretty wide open.