Ball Played: Indians make a statement with series win
May 25, 2016How to Fix SportsCenter: While We’re Waiting…
May 26, 2016Toronto Raptors 78
Cleveland Cavaliers 116
Box Score
Cavaliers lead series 3-2
Nobody can question that the Cleveland Cavaliers were facing pressure. After jumping out to an easy 2-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Cavaliers ran into an absolute buzz saw in Toronto against the Raptors in the following two games. Returning home for Game 5, there was some question about how the Cavaliers would respond.
Turns out those questions were moot. The Cavaliers never let this game even be in doubt, jumping out to a 37-19 lead at the end of the first quarter before eventually pushing the lead all the way out to a ridiculous 43-point margin and finishing with the 116-78 edge.
This is one of the more bizarre playoff series in recent memory, and this game was the craziest game of the series yet. Kevin Love set the tone early and often, demanding the ball and imposing his will on the game. The Cavaliers defensive effort was arguably the best they’ve shown in these playoffs. So naturally, the question is, where was this in Toronto? And after two impressive wins, how do the Raptors follow that up with a 38-point loss? It’s weird, right?
To be honest, I’m not really sure what to say about this game or this series anymore. So lets just jump right into the numbers.
- 19 – This one has to start with Kevin Love. Love was nothing short of sensational in this game, which served as a huge bounce back game for a player who struggled so mightily in the North. From the very start of this game Love looked like a completely different player than what we saw in Toronto. He was completely engaged from the very start, demanding the ball in the post, knocking down threes, making great outlet passes, and perhaps most surprisingly of all, showing great activity on defense. After scoring just 13 points in the two games in Toronto combined, Love scored 19 points in the first half alone in this game, knocking down all six of his shot attempts. Love finished with a game-high 25 points despite being taken out with 7 minutes remaining in the third quarter and never returning. That’s right. 25 points in 23 minutes played. Just an outstanding game for Love, and that’s not even including this…
https://vine.co/v/i9raq6gwpAt
- 21 – The Cavaliers attempted just 21 three-pointers in Game 5, making 10 of them. This is a dramatic improvement compared to the 41 they attempted in each of the two games in Toronto. Look, we all know the Cavaliers have a lot of shooters who can knock down outside shots. But the Cavaliers are at their absolute best when they are being aggressive in attacking on offense, and not just settling for the outside shot. A lot will be made of the differences in how these teams played in Cleveland compared to when they were in Toronto, but really, you need look no further than this stat. The Cavaliers are a significantly better offensive team when they are aggressive in getting opportunities in the paint. They had 56 points in the paint in the previous two games combined, but 46 points in the paint in Game 5 back at home. The Cavaliers must find a way to still run their offense when playing in a hostile environment.
- 23 – Kyrie Irving and LeBron James each chipped in 23 points of their own. The Cavaliers’ Big Three combined for 71 points despite none of them playing a second in the fourth quarter. It was a rough go of it in Toronto for Love and Irving especially, but being home seemed to make all the difference in the world. If the Cavaliers can just get one more game with all three scoring in rhythm like this, the Cavaliers will be in the NBA Finals again.
https://vine.co/v/i9v2mLm6Bzt
- 0:00 – The amount of playing time the starters got in the fourth quarter. This is the first time in what feels like forever that the Cavaliers are playing more than four games in a two week span. While rest is great, sometimes conditioning can be a little off as a result. I don’t get the sense that the Cavaliers are tired, but nevertheless it was nice that the starters could take off the third quarter and thus hopefully be able to come out with better energy in Game 6 than what we saw in Games 3 and 4 in Toronto.
- 27 – After being absolutely torched by Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan in Toronto, the Cavaliers hounded the Raptors backcourt mercilessly in this game, making them uncomfortable and forcing turnovers. Lowry (13) and DeRozan (14) combined for just 27 points. Lowry had as many turnovers (5) as made field goals. DeRozan made just two shots. It was just a remarkable contrast to what happened in Toronto. Credit especially to Kyrie Irving, JR Smith, and Kevin Love, all of whom had some defensive struggles in Toronto. All three played outstanding defense in this game.
- 48 to 27 – The Cavaliers outrebounded the Raptors 48 to 27, a strong turnaround from being annihilated on the boards almost singlehandedly by Bismack Biyombo. Tristan Thompson deserves some credit for having a nice rebounding game with 10 boards, while holding Biyombo to just four rebounds of his own. Also, it was nice to see Timofey Mozgov come in and grab seven rebounds in mop up duty.
The Cavaliers made a statement in Game 5, but they did not win the series. They still have to win one more game to reach the NBA Finals. Getting that win in Toronto will not be easy. The Raptors are dangerous with their backs against the wall, and these teams are now 8-0 at home in the regular season and playoffs combined this season. Another lackluster performance in Toronto and the Cavaliers will find themselves back home on Sunday for a pressure packed Game 7 in which anything can happen. As Cavs fans, lets hope it doesn’t have to come down to that.
95 Comments
As a fellow cord cutter, I highly recommend SlingTV. It’s pretty cheap for what you get and it works quite well. And your Sling login credentials will work with any ESPN app.
I kind of like that after the game Kyrie admitted he was not prepared for the hostile environment that they faced in Toronto. He admitted that the noise got to him a bit. Sure, I wish the environment didn’t affect him at all, but since it did, I’m definitely glad that he at least acknowledge it. It’s the first step in fixing that issue. I expect Kyrie will come out much stronger in Game 6. I hope, anyway.
bill russell – 11 championships
I’ll have to look into that. I wish the NBA streaming service wasn’t the worst. I’ve literally never read anything positive about it.
Oops, I posted my reply to your comment before I saw that you posted this. So….yeah….nevermind, haha.
Nice. I’m class of ’93. Crap that feels terribly terribly old to say.
Very cool. No judgment here!
Bowsher High School … class of 1980 … that make you feel any better ??
I had hoped JVG and Mark Jackson had been instructed to stop the forced Barkley-ized banter that they did all last season and which isn’t remotely entertaining. It was absent in earlier playoff series but it’s reemerged the last few games, mostly with them using ref calls as the excuse for jocular insults. What’s sad is that Van Gundy is really smart and articulate in other contexts, yet ESPN forces him into a simpleton role with this transparently derivative shtick.
Not gonna lie, I heard a “Mama, there goes that man” at one point and I was almost that man… walking away from the TV.
Thanks! I can always count on you, TB2, for a pick-me-up.
Those crazyeyes. And that tongue. Too much disturbance.
I read this as “Bowser High School” and I thought maybe you had classes in keeping the princess in another castle…
Dro–dro–dro… droppings? Dino droppings?
Also like the admission, because I think in his heart Kyrie is a pressure player who loves the attention big games bring. He craves the ball with a game on the line, and he sounds like he’s looking forward to another shot in enemy territory. But Love – have about as much a feel for him from watching the Hoopers commercials as what he’s done with the Cavs. Is he (in the parlance of Charles Barkley) a dog? If not, can he learn to be one at age 27? The answer to that will be a major factor in whether the Cavs get that title.
and there’s my first coffee spit-take of the week.
That is indeed the question, and I honestly have no idea. My confidence in Playoff Kevin Love had been pretty high until Games 3 and 4 happened. I’m really going to be curious to see if he can be as assertive right from the tip again in Game 6.
LMAO !!!!
one of cinema history’s finest combinations of a role, an idiosyncratic actor and a leather jacket.
“That’s clearly a foul.”
“I disagree.”
“Well, you’re wrong about everything.”
OH MY GOD SHUTUP. These potatoes are the worst and are intolerable to listen to. Sucks that if the Cavs win, we’re gonna have to keep listening to them in the Finals.
I hope they don’t get Yahoo Sports in Canada. I can’t imagine the fans NOT screaming their eyes out when he touches the ball now. Hope he’s prepared.
It gives me great pleasure when ESPN cuts to that stupid parking lot in Toronto, and it’s half empty.
REAL TALK: How has it not been completely bashed how they make those fans stand outside in a parking lot to watch while Dan opens the Q full force for Cavs away games?
I say MJ, mostly because I actually saw him play. As for players I only saw past their primes, I would go Magic > Kareem > Bird. And for players I never saw play at all, I’m FIRMLY in the Russell > Wilt camp. For players I watched over their whole careers, I lean ever so very, very slightly to Kobe > Duncan, but it could not be more close between those two.
Where does LeBron fit in all this? I have no clue. But I’ve seen LeBron do things on a basketball court I’ve never seen anyone do before. The combination of size and athleticism with court vision and passing ability is something I’m guessing we’ll not see again for a very long time.
Vegas baby, Vegas.
I did notice that last night especially. DeRozan has a distinct “I can’t wait until I’m out of here and don’t have to listen to this guy anymore” look on his face.
hi ANDREW … the last top-10 players of all-time list i saw had LeBron at #1.
I am old enough to have seen Russell, Wilt, Oscar, Baylor & West. Russell is the best ever. While not a great scorer (not an important need on his teams) his defense, rebounding, passing and intellect is what makes him the best ever. He virtually invented the fast break after a defensive rebound. Also, he could control how even the best guards and forwards would perform as they attempted to drive to the hoop. No one came straight at him as he would simply block the shot with his superior leaping ability and reflexes. He would direct the area of the floor where he wanted the guy to go so his teammates could then deal with them. People don’t appreciate how fast and athletic he was. Ultimately, he was not about statistics, he was about winning. Many things a great player does on the court to influence the game are not reflected in his stat line. Wilt had more physical tools, but mentally he was absolutely no match for Russell.
my own list would be …
1 – jordan
2 – l.james
3 – chamberlain
4 – russell
5 – o.robertson
6 – magic johnson
7 – bird
8 – jabbar
9 – duncan
10 – shaq
Also, Cavs D stepped up big time. They trapped the pick-n-roll every time to get the ball out of the hands of the guards. The other guys can’t score enough to beat them. Tristan actually looked interested in fighting for the ball last night. It made a difference.
great post TSM …
kobe , Dr. J , olajuwon , k.malone , m.malone , barkley , maravich , e,hayes ,
Oooohhh………you’re in the Wilt > Russell camp? Hmm, we should fight!
I think Wilt could have been better than Russell had he really wanted to be, but he had other priorities in life. Russell’s only priority was to be the best basketball player on the planet. I think he succeeded, until MJ came to be.
That is precisely my impression of Russell from everything I’ve read about that era. I hate the Celtics with every fiber of my being, but I absolutely love Russell and everything he stood for.
I’d rather listen to 90 year old Hubie drone on about proper pinky toe position while setting screens than the ESPN team. I’d rather listen to Solomon WIlcots call a Browns game. Maybe.
this is a debate no one will ever win … even as a Celtics fan , i would take Chamberlain over Russell … Russell is known as the ultimate TEAM player with the most championships (11).
there are plenty of interesting articles on this debate … the big things that stand out to me : Wilt won 11 rebounding titles (8 consecutive) … won 7 scoring titles … averaged 50.4 ppg in 61-62 (still an nba record) … averaged 27.2 rebounds per game in 60-61 (still an nba record) … it’s also fairly interesting that Wilt never fouled out of a game.
Chamberlain dominated !! … while Russell went about his business as an all-around great player … you can’t go wrong with either one.
Nice. I also read a comment by him that he always tried to block a shot with the intent to control the ball. Didn’t swat it away. Often had it drop to his arms.
Right. Love has only responded to half of the challenge. Ultimately, nobody has any business being on that team if they cannot bring playoff intensity to every playoff game.
So true. I wouldn’t mind random banter if it was interesting, but those guys were bored starting about the end of the first quarter, and it was incredibly transparent. I would so greatly prefer Hubie Brown. (or about a dozen other people)
I remember that statement by him. He was critical of the guys who just swatted the ball out of bounds to show how great they were. He would simply deflect the shot to a teammate. If you want to read a great article about his mental acuity, Sports Illustrated did a cover story on him during the 60’s entitled – How I psych them. It is probably in their archives.
Isn’t there a scene with a t-rex eating a raptor somewhere in that movie? Need a clip of that for the big screen in the arena.
I really like Breen and Van Gundy. They don’t need Mark Jackson at all, he just gets in the way. And besides that, he’s boring and terrible.
He’s always great on the Lowe Post podcasts with Zach Lowe. I get excited when I see an episode with Van Gundy pop up on my phone. Mark Jackson ruins everything.
Nail head, meet hammer.
I can do this all day…
https://media.giphy.com/media/B9AMOQEH5Ae88/giphy.gif