Live Thread: Cavaliers at Pelicans
2014-12-12
The Cavaliers look to rebound on the second night of a road back-to-back. Without LeBron James, Cleveland dropped a tough game to an OKC Thunder team desperate for every win. Unlike the Thunder, the Cavaliers’ next opponent was without huge preseason expectations.
Anthony Davis is on his way to becoming the NBA’s most dominant player. Though his Pelican team is still unlikely to make the playoffs in the loaded West, Davis continues to evolve into a legit MVP candidate. Currently sporting a PER of roughly 213 bagillion (32.97), the third year pro has improved in nearly every conceivable way. The arc on his jumper hydrates deserts. He doesn’t skate out of position on rotation defense. His off the dribble game has more confidence. Davis is currently the best player in the league.
Fortunately for the Cavs, The Brow doesn’t bring many talented friends to the party. Eric Gordon is out(which is the case whether he suits up or not). Tyreke Evans, though better, is still a one trick pony. Omer Asik has liberated Davis from consistently manning the center position, but is a limited contributor offensively. Ok, you’re right, Ryan Anderson is legitimately terrifying.
…and as of 7:20 It looks like LeBron, Kyrie, and their balky knees are cleared to play. The Cavaliers should have the depth of talent to take out the Pels for the second time this season — no win for the brow.
Some dude named Babbitt just hit a three. Yikes
I’m going to listen to Quincy Jones’ “The Dude” after the game.
Kyrie can’t buy a shot, but he’s got another assist though
Man is Asik bad at foul shots
Time for a BLATT sandwich at halftime.
Bacon
Lettuce
Avocado
Tomato and . . . . . . . Turkey!
Excellent culinary choice for halftime
“Culinary” . . . you are a man with a very big vocabulary.
Gotta stay linguistically sharp ;)
Re: Last night’s telecast vs. OKC. I was looking forward to a change of announcers from McLeod and Carr. I thought the national broadcast team of Albert (and I forgot the other) was abysmal. Simply abysmal.
Why is it that national announcers know no more about the game than my buddy on the couch beside me?
That bothers me even more with NFL games – They get Cowher and Johnson and Ditka and guys together and they tell me nothing I don’t already know.
Yeah Marv is worthless and should have retired/been forced out years ago when he bit that woman
I can see now why Lebron is bothered by back pain. He’s always carrying his team on it.
Both teams shooting well. Cavs only have 2 turnovers! Hard to believe they gave up 64 points. Difference in game is 5 more threes made by Cans.
This is fun: Ryan Anderson against the Cavs: 12/17 from 3 for 71%. Ryan Anderson against all other teams: 34 / 123 from 3 for 28%.
Two points for that stat, Tom. No. Make that three points.
Kyrie not shooting well, but kept the offense moving . . . and Blatt pulls him. Could Blatt be off his game tonight? I guess we normally find out in the second half.
Halftime listening for you guys: http://www.wingam.com/Tom-Pestak-from-Cavstheblog-com-talks-NBA-Cavs-wit/17320024?pid=444726
Thanks for the link Tom!
Cavs lack of interior D really being showcased. Guards just put their head down towards the basket, someone Cavs bigs overhelp early – Pelicans’ bigs with uncontested layups and dunks.
Gotta believe that Blatt is going to rip them at the half for the 64 points allowed.
KLove in Sasha Pavlovic/George Gervin mode right now “my offense is my defense”
Unfortunately, the whole team is playing like their offense is their defense. But only Love and Lebron playing offense.
Man, Anderson just doesn’t miss when he’s open. It’s really amazing
Phantom inside defense by the Cavs. The “matador” defense. Ole!
Kyrie a brutal 0-5 so far, but love the 5 assists. If you can’t do it one way, do it another
With Davis out, they should really just leave LBJ on Anderson. He’s the only one left that could be dangerous
Anderson just hit another 4 of 5 from 3. (What does that equal?)
Something like 25 or 6 to 4.
LeBron and Love are really gelling. I would like to see Kyrie and Love develop similar chemistry. Still feels like those two are not in sync.
really like LeBron’s D and energy right now.
Couple of good back to back offensive board scores
Lebron right down Bourbon Street!
Freight Train James returns!!
my favorite is Video Game James
Didn’t Gooden come up with that? Always liked that one too!
I think so! Good memory. Ol’ duckbill
Remember when he had that ridiculous soul patch on the back of his neck? That was awesome
Tied at 50 with 3:30 to play.
Going to be a high scoring affair unless there’s some D coming in the second half
Cavs have yet to hit a 3.
Anderson doesn’t score with LBJ on him, but then he buries a quick three next time down with Love on him. Lesson, just keep LBJ on Anderson.
Love in assist mode (5). Love at the line again.
Love and Lebron with 37 of 48 points.
ANDY with the DELETION!
WOW! Such a phantom call right there. LIke the ref was just standing by and waiting to blow it.
Officials: #22 Bill Spooner, #79 Kevin Scott, #60 James Williams
Austin Carr has been fairly subdued tonight.
Even on the TT play earlier, he said he softly puts the hammer down. LOL
Bron’s got a TON of energy tonight. He comes back in and they cut it back to one. He’s not going to let this team lose tonight. Nice to see him back with a mission tonight.
That’s why he came here!
LOL! That’s true
Love > Lebron > Marion on the break. Marion with the dunk.
Next possession Lebron dunks on the break.
I guess we’re just going to hang around until the fourth.
Kyrie better find his stroke, though.
And that’s a good example of why Kyrie doesn’t have more assists in general. Lots of big men missing at the rim
Kyrie still can’t hit anything and he’s lost his confidence.
We’re shooting 2-10 on the quarter so far.
He’ll turn it around. He’s definitely been in a slump lately, but he’ll hit a big shot or two tonight I’ll bet
All that progress they made on D seems to be going to the wayside. That said, isn’t this their 6th or 7th game in 10 nights? Brutal two weeks.
They’ve usually been able to turn it on in the latter stages of the second half, but they have played a lot lately. At least LBJ should have fresh legs after sitting.
Ryan Anderson always seems to play well against the Cavs
No. no no Dion. Yes!
The now patented jump back fallaway rainbow deep two. The only shot whereI breathe a sigh of relief when it goes in
It is exciting to watch.
James Jones on Ryan Anderson. Hmmm.
That’s the fastest I’ve ever seen Jimmer Fredette move…
Fredette takes it to the hole on Kyrie. Gets underneath and scores uncontested.
Whoops! There goes Fredette again. Take it to the hole Jimmy!
Next possession – Might as well try a three Jimmy. Better luck next time.
Nice ball movement with Delly, Kyrie and TT
Still odd that LBJ shoots the techs. There are more automatic guys on the floor for Cavs I think
I missed the Technicals. What happened?
Like I said. Somebody looked cross eyed at someone . . . and then the other guy looked back.
The Cans are hanging tough despite not having the Brow in there for a lot of the quarter. Tyreke Evans having himself a game early.
Wow! 16 fouls called between both teams in first quarter. That’s crazy!
Pelicans finish the quarter shooting 61% from the field. 63% from the foul line.
I think refs have to meet foul quotas and this crew received a text from the commissioner that they’re behind on the month.
Bron working the J tonight. Looking really good
Too busy typing here. Missed it.
He can score at will tonight. How many you figure he’ll get. 19 in the first quarter. Cols must just be giggling to himself . . . dunking socks in the light shade in his living room.
Gonna be some dudes fouling out tonight if this keeps up. Like watching an NFL game
I think there’s been nearly a foul on every possession
AJ Price, Kirk, and Haywood getting excited on the bench. Electrons moving from the s orbital to p orbital, genius.
Very scientific Udog
If you ever been to a high school girls basketball game the whistle blows every 20 seconds. Stand in the foyer and listen.
If I’m Blatt, I’m demanding Love get two fouls contesting shots under the basket every game. I’m putting it in his job description.
KLove with some nifty D on that steal!
Kevin love with another brilliant effort. At the foul line again after a phantom pelican foul.
“Phantoms” would be a good team name.
Good call. Phantoms would have been preferable to Pelicans. There are reportedly a lot of ghosts in NOLA
Kevin Love playing Phantom defense on a drive.
Mike Miller is “nattily attired” tonight.
Really nice D from Dion on Ryan Anderson that last possession
New Orleans shooting 64%. Cavs shooting 53%
As long as Cavs can turn up the D in the second half, they should be fine (especially if Davis is out for any length of time)
Reffing is so uneven throughout the NBA. One night it’s a hockey game, the next night you can’t look at anyone cross eyed (or something like that).
Totally agree. Still early season for them too I guess. They need time to progress ;)
Terrific rebound and pass from KLove! LBJ with the one handed JAM!
Cols elated Lebron elevated!
Omer Asik. The big guy many Cavs fans coveted a couple of years ago. He made himself a lot of money. Glad someone else is paying him.
He’s pretty good defensively, but worthless offensively for sure
Davis is hurt. On his way to the dressing room. Big blow for Pels
Let Kyrie shoot the tech (for some practice).
We’re blocking shots like OKC tonight. I know how Pelicans feel.
Love using his hips and leverage on defense. Even got a block
KLOVE with the nice block!
Somehow Matrix shot that ball OVER the hoop
Somebody’s paying him to shave points.
That would explain it at least
Bron v. Brow early on here
Another great block from TT! Great ball movement, and then I’m not sure how Matrix missed that bunny
LBJ with a nice burst of energy. Loved the TT block as well
Two quick ticky-tack fouls on Andy. Trouble ahead with Brow. Ball don’t lie on the and-ones though
Wow, that was a bad call on Andy. I don’t think he touched Davis
PEANUT BUTTER DELLY TIME
Pelicans are tough. It won’t be a walk in the park for Cavs. Hope Blatt gets it right on the line-ups. Please!
Pels coming off a tough loss to Dallas the other night. They’ll definitely be working hard for a win with GSW coming in on Sunday. Good to have LBJ and Kyrie healthy and playing tonight. As long as they can close out guys like Ryan Anderson and force the Brow to beat them inside (he’ll get his, but prob not enough to overcome), Cavs should win this one.
ARE YOU READY ! ! !
Both Lebron and Kyrie are supposed to play.
So what’s Delly going to do to amaze us tonight?
Hopefully all he has to do is continue to play gritty D and hit some threes off the bench and let LBJ, Kyrie and KLove handle the bulk of the scoring.