Previewing the Cleveland Indians with TD – WFNY Podcast No. 471
March 16, 2016The Cavs are kind of just like The Bachelor: While Weâre Waiting…
March 17, 2016Cleveland Cavaliers (48-19) 99
Dallas Mavericks (34-34) 98
Box Score
In a game that was full of plenty of runs from both teams, the Cleveland Cavaliers found a way to come away with a 99-98 win over Dallas Mavericks Wednesday night in their return home to Quicken Loans Arena. Without LeBron James (rest), the wine and gold survived against the Western Conference’s seventh-best team.
Their first game back at The Q since their loss to the Grizzlies March 7 featured a new-look intro video prior to the game, and Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, and the rest of the Cavs stepped up with their biggest star watching from the bench.
Before their win over the Mavericks, the Cavaliers were just 3-12 without James the last two seasons, including 0-2 so far this season. But they were (finally) able to get their first win without No. 23 against Dallas Wednesday night.
23 and 18 – While Cleveland may have been without a third of their Big Three, Kevin Love decided that Wednesday’s matchup against the Mavericks was a way to remind people that he really is worth a max contract. With 23 points and a game-high 18 rebounds, including shooting 8-of-19 from the field, Love was able to get in a groove on both sides of the ball. Love had already notched his 28th double-double of the season in just the first two quarters.
33 and 5 – With a game-high 33 points to go along with five assists, Kyrie Irving came ready to play in the absence of James hitting threes, mid-range shots, and slashing to the rim like the Irving we all know.
https://vine.co/v/iwLa0D55Uvu
To go along with his impressive game on the offensive side of the ball, Irving also had a few key plays on defense, especially late in the game. Blocking a Zaza Pachula lay-up attempt with roughly a minute left seemed like a game-saver at the time. With the Cavs holding just a two-point lead at 97-95, however, Irving had an impressive play to come away with a steal against the much taller Dirk Nowitzki with less than five seconds remaining in the game.
https://vine.co/v/iwED6OtFrt9
No. 2 then made both free throws to put the game away for good.
15-0 – Holding a 31-28 lead after 12 minutes of play, the wine and gold started the second quarter on a 15-0 run to take an 18-point lead, a lead that was as big as 20 at one point before halftime. But, they allowed Dallas to make a couple runs of their own to get back in the game before the teams headed to the locker room at the half.
27-17 – With just a 57-51 halftime lead, Cleveland came out of the locker room with a vengeance in the third quarter. The Cavaliers outscored the Mavericks by 10 (27-17) in the third quarter, giving them a 16-point lead heading into the final stanza. Luckily enough for them, with such a big lead, they gave themselves plenty of breathing space, especially since Dallas outscored the wine and gold in the final 12 minutes, 30-15.
https://vine.co/v/iwLZdq5Xulj
10-of-36 – Without LeBron, the Cavs heavily leaned on their outside shooting, which almost costed them the game. Making just 10-of-36 (27.8 percent) of their shots from beyond the arc, Cleveland struggled mightily from deep, including J.R. Smith (1-for-8 from long range), Matthew Dellavedova (0-for-4), Kyrie Irving (3-for-9), and Kevin Love (2-for-6). They were 29-of-62 (55.7 percent) from inside the arc.
11-of-13 – Their three-pointers may not have been falling, but Cleveland was an impressive 11-of-13 (84.6 percent) from the free-throw line against Dallas. Before Wednesday, the Cavs owned a 74 percent clip from the free-throw stripe.
14 – With 14 points off the bench, Channing Frye yet again proved that he can bring so much to the Cavaliers. The sharpshooter made 3-of-5 three-pointers Wednesday night and has now made 14 of his last 22 shots from beyond the arc.
0 – For a reason that is not known, Timofey Mozgov didn’t get a single second of playing time against the Mavericks. Even when Dallas began to make a comeback in both the second and fourth quarter with their big lineup, Tyronn Lue decided not to put Mozgov in the game. Tristan Thompson, who was a minus-17, struggled mightily against Mavs’ big lineup.
35 to 28 and 13 to 4 – While Thompson may have struggled and Mozgov didn’t see the floor, the Cavaliers dominated on the boards Wednesday night. They had 13 offensive rebounds (Thompson and Kevin Love both had four) compared to Dallas’ four offensive rebounds as a team. Overall, the Cavs outrebounded Dallas, 35-28.
Plus-16 – While Kevin Love was plus-16 on the night, Richard Jefferson was also an impressive plus-16. In just 18 minutes of playing time, the wine and gold not only dominated their opposition with Jefferson in the game, but the veteran also poured in six points, five rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
With a schedule that includes five games in seven nights, including a back-to-back in Florida Friday and Saturday night, being able to pull out a win against a playoff team in the West without LeBron James was a big-time win for the Cavs, even if they did struggle at times.
39 Comments
I’ve watched that steal so many times by now, and I still have no idea what happened to Dirk to make him stumble away from the ball. I keep thinking Kyrie must have pulled him, but his arm doesn’t get around Dirk’s and the best I can figure is that maybe he pushed Dirk’s hip from the outside.
Based on what I saw, I wouldn’t say “no problem” exactly. Granted, I watched only a stretch in the third quarter when the Cavs jacked up and missed three after three after three. Their 18-point lead was quickly cut in half (one its way down to one point), and it was too ugly to watch anymore.
The three-pointer is supposed to be a weapon used judiciously, not your go-to option. It’s bad basketball and it’s lazy basketball. AC was not amused.
Speaking of which, it’s still amazing how announcers seemingly can clearly see a team’s problem and know exactly what to do about it while the coach just stands there and lets things go on. This happens across all teams and all sports.
Correction, Kyrie had just 1 assist. Not 5.he did have 5 rebounds.
Kyrie is an awful defender. He gets beaten and in 4 years hasnt learned how to shade a defender to help. When does an opposing PG ever taken a step-back jumper on him? I don’t think ever b/c they can get to the rim so easily.
Dirk wanted the pass to him where he could turn and pivot without using his dribble. It was a lazy entry pass where Dirk would’ve had to go out and face the basket and put the ball on the floor. I think he was surprised by where the ball went and Kyrie – to his credit, saw that and nabbed it.
You think it would be a good idea to transition him to SG in the next couple years, like they’ve hinted with in some games, and have a PG in there that can D up better?
Also: In the photo at the top, it looks like Delly is camera-ready for the thumbs up.
On Irving’s steal at the end- in real time, I thought Nowitski was leaning on him and when KI moved away, it was like the old chair-pulling routine. But I can’t explain Dirk’s head movement, unless it was part of an acting job.
Total acting job, Dirk felt Kyrie on him and jerked liked there was live sniper fire trying to draw the easy foul.
“The three-pointer is supposed to be a weapon used judiciously, not your
go-to option. It’s bad basketball and it’s lazy basketball.”
https://41.media.tumblr.com/528e505f4e39556264bcfbe7e53d902e/tumblr_nq41vkvTLo1qem99po1_1280.jpg
Channing Frye > Timofey Mozgov.
Seriously, I need to see Love next to Frye the rest of the way.
“ONE GODDAM ASSIST, THAT’S ALL HE HAD WAS ONE GODDAM ASSIST” — the Cleveland media, probably.
Dirk wanted the ball closer to the basket and was sticking his butt into Kyrie to begin his unstoppable turnaround jumper. The entry pass was thrown outside though and Dirk just tried to sell he got hooked.
Kyrie is beaten largely by absolutely atrocious footwork. His legs take a wide base and his footwork is so bad his legs are outside his base and that makes you a dead turkey to a crossover. There are few SG that wouldn’t blow by him just like all the PG do.
Kyrie needs to get remedial technique and understand where his help is coming.
That said, he is beaten so soundly at times, help defense doesnt even have time to react. He is beaten so badly, he cannot even coerce the defender outside the key. I am not trying to hate on him but this summer somebody needs to improve this. Jordan was a absolute trash defender for first 3-4 seasons. Durant was a HUGE anchor on the Thunder but at least got himself near league average. (Note, I wouldnt rely just on DRTgs b/c they reflect often who players are on the floor with too).
People crap on Love but at least he is somewhat conscious of the idea of defense and team defense. He balled hard on Cousins, even though he’s outmatched he was doing more or less, the right things. Kyrie is awful in most manners defensively. I hope this turns around.
Sorry Facebook, but I’m rebranding this as the Delly button:
http://a.fastcompany.net/multisite_files/fastcompany/imagecache/inline-large/inline/2013/11/3021307-inline-fb-thumbsup-printpackaging.jpg
Not nearly as impressed as you with this win, given the Cavs were at home and Dallas looked exhausted until no one bothered defending Barea and he defibrillated his teammates.
– Kyrie had 1 assist. One. The Cavs were this close to choking away a huge 4th quarter lead, not because 3s weren’t falling but because Kyrie responded to the moderate pressure of an inevitable Mavs run by stopping the offense. Completely. As in dribbling the shot clock away and reacting to double teams by trying to Curly Neal through it. Dirk and Parsons were icy cold until the end and Kyrie still reverted to his 2013 hero ball habits. Sure looked like he decided beforehand to wash away his last clunker game with big personal numbers, and screw the game situation, screw the floor leadership.
– Channing Frye looks way better on the Cavs than he ever looked to me playing for opponents. Bigger, smarter, somewhat dangerous. He’s contributing; Andy was not.
I also watched the replay a few times and decided that Kyrie used an old playground trick – he gave Dirk a quick rib shot to make him flinch in, then zoomed around him the opposite way to get the steal. The alternative is that Dirk tried to flop for a foul, but that seems unlikely given that the refs were letting both teams get physical and it’s not like Dirk is afraid to get the ball and take the game winner.
191 players suited up last night. Only six players passed the ball more than Irving. (h/t Scoops Maroun)
DELETE YOUR ACCOUNT SCOTT. I’M HERE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT ASSISTS.
I love you Harv, but seriously explain to me what is the standard for Kyrie that we all need to measure him against?
Kyrie scores 35: OH YEAH BUT HOW MANY ASSISTS?
Kyrie dishes 8: HE NEEDS TO TAKE THE SCORING LOAD OFF LEBRON!
TRADE KYRIE! THAT GUY IS TRASH! WE NEED “GRIT” AND “HUSTLE” AND “BLUE COLLAR!” CLEVELAND THINGS! GIVE ME MORE WHITE PLAYERS FROM SCHOOLS NO ONE HAS HEARD OF! THINK OF THE CHILDREN!
Thank you.
Figured someone would stake the Appreciate What You Have position. At least it’s someone who loves me.
The standard for any great PG, hybrid guard, or whatever he is when he brings the ball up and dictates: understand what the team needs to step on a neck of a vulnerable team and end the game. They did not need big scoring from him last night.
Let me turn the question around: was there anything wrong, or immature, with his game before LeBron arrived? To you, has he been a finished product? How ’bout his defensive effort? (Not ability or potential, effort?). I love Kyrie, like you love Harv. But his game (like mine) is evolving and pointing out existing deficiencies is what fans do.
I’m gonna pee in the Kyrie lovefest in support of the truth. Dallas erased a huge 4th quarter lead because Kyrie tried to dribble and showboat the quarter out. His passes were late and ineffective. His shooting was beautiful; his execution late game was not. Let’s not even talk about his defense against Barea.
so, criticism of Kyrie’s game is racially tinged. Got it.
Preferably ones who don’t shoot threes.
Only passing. Who needs 23 points when you can have 23 assists!
If anyone ever needed proof of the Cavs coasting through the regular season, this was it.
While I don’t disagree, how much more do we want them to do? They are going to win the East.
Oh I’m perfectly fine with it now. I’m just saying they blow out teams and coast by others. At this point in the season, might as well rest some guys.
You can tell by the head movement. He’s pulling the ‘ol Euro He Grabbed Me Fake, trying o trick the ref into calling a non-existent foul. Yes, I watch way too much English Premier League.
that was my very first reaction, but … alpha Dirk? He wants the shot, even (especially) on an off night. Or maybe I’m over-thinking this and flopping really was his first reaction.
Let’s take these one at a time:
1. “Standard/Hybrid PG” — completely forget this on this and many other NBA teams, the role no longer exists in the shape we viewed it before. Everyone is expected to be able to handle the ball, everyone is expected be able to shoot, drive and distribute. You may as well not even name positions in the next 3 years. Golden State, San Antonio and Cavs are all the embodiment of this idea.
2. “They did not need big scoring from him last night” — this does not compute. The Cavs needed points. Kyrie had 8 passes total that led to shots with only one of them made. When your other team members are getting assisted but not converting, you take over and score because that’s what Kyrie can do.
3. Kyrie is in no way shape or form a finished product. The kid is 23 years old, 4 years into the league on his 4th head coach in a dynamic nobody saw coming.
“Dallas erased a huge 4th quarter lead because”
They went big and for some reason Lue didn’t go back to Love/Frye who were destroying the Mavs last night. Seriously…ZaZa Pachulia went off, but I suppose that was Kyrie’s fault for not guarding him. đ
In the far away view, you can see him glance at the ref after the flop attempt.
If the pass would have been closer, I suspect he would have bodied KI out of the way, but that pass never had a chance, hence the flop.
1) not sure how this phrase affects my point. The most important commonality between GS and SA is not the types of players (Pop nurtures what each in a specific role) but that all defend and ball don’t stick. I think you’re trying to morph my point into your own point. My point: the main reason the game came sown to final seconds was that the ball stuck, in Kyrie’s hands.
2) Cavs were getting points across the line up. Kyrie came out firing from the jump ball, and that was fine. They kept scoring when he left.
3) This might be true. Or not. I hope it’s true. But some guys get bad habits for 3 years and then don’t really change much.
1. Fair enough, addressing then specifically your point; per the numbers Scott posted below and Kyrie’s “passes leading to shots” numbers I mentioned earlier the ball didn’t stick in Kyrie’s hands *as much* as you may think.
2. The Cavs scoring came to a screeching halt when Lue pulled the Frye/Love combo in favor or Tristan. Also in that time period Dallas went big with ZaZa and Lue didn’t go back. We stopped scoring, they started.
3. “Some guys get bad habits for three years and then really don’t change much” ….JR Smith is playing individual and team defense on a championship contender in which he is also a voice of calm and reason. The defense rests.
“MORE WHITE PLAYERS”
http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/151025111221-trump-thumbs-up-1021-large-tease.jpg
Here too? dude, your stalking is creeping me out a tad.
See Scott’s new post. Apparently not all his teammates agree those stats are relevant to what happened late in the game.
I would upvote, but I’m kind of afraid somebody might not realize I think it’s funny sarcasm.
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