CtB Trifecta: Retrospective, Preview, Live Thread 76ers @ Cavs

Good Evening CtB!

The Cavs are officially at the quarter pole of the 2022-23 NBA season. Here’s some thoughts as the Cavs stand 13-8 and among the top of the Eastern Conference…

1. Bench spark in Detroit

The main takeaway regarding the Cavs’ gritty 102-94 win against the Detroit Pistons was how Raul Neto and Mamadi Diakite provided a spark for the Cavs after a listless start by the starters. It was weird how Coach J.B. Bickerstaff refused to turn to Neto while Caris LeVert struggled with his confidence in Toronto against the Raptors. There’s rumors of a Diakite starting appearance, which would be a massive vote of confidence for the University of Virginia product.

The other big takeaway from that Detroit game was how Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell were able to get to the line, 25 attempts between the two of them. Getting to the line is how you grind out offense in the NBA, and it was especially nice to see DG putting up that number of attempts.

2. Wheels come off in Toronto

The wheels came off the offense in Toronto, with a mess of things that were wrong with the game. First off, J.B’s desire to run an eight-man rotation in the second game of a back to back is perplexing. It was clear Donovan Mitchell had no gas at all for the game. Okoro, LeVert, and Wade struggled with varying levels of a lack of confidence. If there’s something to takeaway from the game, it’s how much the Cavs miss Kevin Love and Jarrett Allen in the rotation. Get well soon guys!

3. Getting to the next level

Currently at the quarter pole of the NBA season, the Cavs have amassed 13-8 record and a third seed in the Eastern Conference. By those objective measures, the Cavs have exceeded preseason expectations. But also the Cavs have taken three of their worst losses this season against Eastern Conference playoff foes Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors, who account for 50% of the Cavs total losses this season so far. Further, the Cavs Pythagorean Win Expectancy given their elite +5.9 point differential should be around 68% according to Daryl Morey’s model, yet they stand 10% below that at 62%. What does it mean? To yours truly what it means is that there’s another level of play yet to be uncovered. Once they do, they will be serious championship contenders which is surreal to say in all honesty.

4. Philly comes to town

Tonight the Cavs welcome the Philadelphia 76ers to the shores of Lake Erie for yet another massive Eastern Conference playoff showdown. The Sixers are on a roll after a sluggish start to the season, while the Cavs are mired in some .500 ball since the eight game winning streak early in the season. For the Cavs it would be a great chance to build confidence and continue to bury the direct competition. For Philly, it’s a chance to keep the steamroll going and join the elite of the conference.

Both teams will be missing key pieces with James Harden, Tyrese Maxey, Jarrett Allen, Kevin Love, and Lamar Stevens all being out tonight. Philly has now surpassed the Cavs for 3rd in the NBA in defensive rating at 108.1 vs. 108.2. Tonight should be about which team can impose its will defensively, and unfortunately the Cavs will be without their best defensive player in Jarrett Allen. A magical night from DG and Spida could be just what the doctor ordered, Go Cavs!

BREAKING: THE MAMADI DIAKITE AGENDA VINDICATED

#Cavs Lamar Stevens (illness) is OUT tonight, sources tell @clevelanddotcom. With Stevens sidelined, 2-way player Mamadi Diakite is entering the starting lineup tonight, sources say. His 4th career start

Will be Garland, Mitchell, Wade, Diakite & Mobleyhttps://t.co/dTmBLO2YH2

— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) November 30, 2022