Live Thread: Knicks @ Cavs, NBA Playoffs Game 2
2023-04-18Good evening CtB!
The Cavs welcome again the New York Knicks to the shores of Lake Erie as they finish up their two home games to open the first round of this playoff series. The Knicks took a battering ram to the Cavs to steal Game 101-97 that saw the Cavs struggle on offense and get totally dominated on the defensive boards. Literally nobody but Tower City and Spida were interested in fighting for boards, and if that continues the Cavs will flame out of these playoffs in devastating fashion. Cavs media has tried to spin this story as a season-long struggle, but as it has been proven here by yours truly, the Cavs were one of the best defensive rebounding teams in the NBA with NBA Champion Kevin Love on the roster. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s mismanagement of Love has come back to haunt the Cavs immediately, and it will take a miraculous effort by someone not named Tower City to reverse the Cavs’ fortunes.
So what adjustments do the Cavs make in Game 2? No question there’s a higher probability that fans will see the likes of Lamar Stevens, Raul Neto, or Danny Green on the court tonight. They all bring experience to the table, Neto and Stevens bring physicality to the table, and Green brings elite spot up shooting. But as Cavs’ fans have seen throughout the season, there’s zero chance Stevens or Neto will be guarded on defense, so the same conundrum of a crowded paint will makes things difficult for Spida and DG. Personally I would’ve rather seen a return of big boy ball with Dean Wade at the three with the starters, but it’s hard to justify that move given how shell shocked Wade was in his first taste of playoff basketball. At the end of the day, the Cavs are in trouble without Kevin Love, there’s no way around it. If the Cavs get swept out of these playoffs, Bickerstaff will have justified the slander directed his way about his “teacher’s pet” rotations that drove Love to request a buyout to get back his playing time elsewhere.
Bottom line: If Caris LeVert, Isaac Okoro, Cedi Osman, and Darius Garland don’t rebound, the Cavs aren’t winning.
Tip off is scheduled for 7:30PM and will be broadcasted nationally on TNT, Go Cavs!
GARLAND DEFENSE!!!!!!! CEDI STEAL!
L3v3rt!
Wow. That was some amazing D by Garland.
LCC!!!!
6 turnovers in the first quarter, unacceptable.
2 in 3 minutes for Okoro
He may not see the floor again
I’d use him just to pester Brunson for a few minutes here and there
Man. Osman doing everything but can’t hit the three. Just keep shooting when open.
That was a break for the Cavs.
Evan just not finding the zone on offense. Everything seems rushed or careless.
Stop the ball in transition !
Looked like DG ran into Cedi’s elbow
They cannot stop Caris from getting into the paint, just need Caris to keep making good decisions.
Mobly is killing us so far
Yeah I’d sub in Allen
Gotta let him play through it. They don’t have a choice.
damn what a pass Caris, Mobley gotta be stronger with the ball.
Mobley stinks so far.
JB going to Danny Green and not running out Lamar.
that’s a win, we’ll see how long it lasts
Now Quickley will be on. Please don’t fall for his fake left, go right move.
Adjustments early: going small. No Rubio. DG off ball. Cedi heavily involved. (Okoro fouling out was a bonus).
I gotta say I like the subs so far.
Caris
i like this 4 out + mobley lineup
Me too
Chris offense–and defense
MITCHELL WITH BAD INTENTIONS
LET CARIS COOK
CARIS DEFENSE
Very good defense
Let Caris Cook!
good pass Caris, Cedi just flat on that shot
That’s off of Hard rock
Danny Green sighting
Good defense
Long-time Jazz fan here. Classic signs of ball hog Donovan choking again in a Round 1 series. Very inefficient shooter. Never passes.
😂😂😂
Vernon Maxwell sends his regards.
Larry Miller!?
Robinson has 2 fouls
There we go
Cedi got mugged
CMON DARIUS CHUCK 30 SHOTS IDC
That’s exactly what we need from DG
Ball don’t lie
Offense is out of sync. Again.
They need to stretch the floor. Which means they need shooters to step up.
And also need to take the ball out of Brunson’s hands.
Man I hope the Cavs can get Caris cooking tonight.
I don’t know why DG is throwing lobs in a crowded paint?
It’s early but I don’t feel good about this game
Cedi nice shot
Cavs offense still garbage, Tower City getting exposed.
Yeah we are screwed. This better get JB fired. Still can’t keep them off the offensive boards. Might win this game in a close one but we’re not winning in New York
Nice foul, Mitchell.
DG needs to maybe look for his shot instead of these sloppy passes
Scared. Just scared
How was that not a goaltend?
Mobley garbage defense on Randle
Cavs in their own heads still.
Not looking good
Randle just bullying Mobley
way to take on for the team Ice (get two quick fouls) LMFAOO
Okoro with two fouls. An early break for the Cavs.
There you go, dg.
Good to see Cedi instead of Dean
NICE PASS DG! Allen more physical tonight
Woof
Mobley
wtf Mobley
Nice take charge by Ice
nice shot Spida, unstoppable
so we’re gonna tell Okoro to go score, OK
I’m fine with it.
haha they have foam JYD chains – saw a kid wearing one – i like that
Color me shocked. I’d have Stevens on Hart whenever he’s in.
https://twitter.com/NY_KnicksPR/status/1648459845635538953?s=20
YEP WITH AN INJURED// TIMID WADE AND A ‘ ROL-O – VER ” AS YOUR PRIMARY BACK UP BIGS COMPARED TO HARD ROCK—TOBIN —JUST DOESN’T BODE WELL FOR THE CAVS ——CMON RAUOL JOIN IN WITH ME —-GOD I WISH CAVS WOULD HAVE SIGNED HARD ROCK
YEP THIS IS A MUST WIN GAME —-DOWN 2 GOING TO THE GARDEN IS NOT A GOOD RCIPE FOR WINNING THE SERIES —GO CAVS—-FREENETO AND FREEGREEN AND FOR GOD SAKES REBOUND// REBOUND // REBOUND // REBOUND ……..TIME TO GET READY ……………” MORE BEER AND REBOUNDS PLEASE ‘ ! !
I agree go cavs. Not a must win imo – all these guys are learning and will continue to do so (or not, but that would be a different problem)
I think if they were a veteran team I’d have more confidence in overcoming a 0-2 deficit, but not with a young squad. So I do think it’s must win.
I’d like to set the record straight on Cedi. Anyone saying it was a mistake to play Cedi over Okoro down the stretch, just doesn’t know how to watch people play defense.
Yeah agreed, the defense wasn’t the problem… rebounding and ball movement was.
Cedi +6 to lead all Cavs in the 4th.
Love it, hope JB doesn’t ice him again.
Go Cavs!
Nice setting of the table. I hope my blood pressure doesn’t go through the roof with this one.
yup, we need this one.