Recap: Cavs 105, Spurs 92 (or, Fish Clubbing)

In the world of spy craft a learned practitioner has at their disposal a number of techniques required in the secret exchange of information. The ‘dead drop’ is the most famous of all, so famous in fact it requires no explanation. My own favorite is the lesser-known ‘dead dead drop,’ wherein one simply scribbles cryptic nonsense on a small piece of paper, places it in a bag, and drops it in the garbage at the park. Hope the Damascenes have fun watching the trash!

We recently watched Koby Altman, himself a student of the second-oldest profession, deploy perhaps the most effective technique of all, the ‘live drop.’ Here, just exchange the info loudly, out in the open, for all to witness and even intercept. Surely the adversary will find this disclosure too good to be true. And thus we came to know of the Cavs’ trade for Caris LeVert, the worst (best?) kept secret in the NBA. LeVert began his Cavalier career tonight at home against the 20-35 Spurs. 

1st Quarter

Coach Bickerstaff rolled out his standard lineup given injuries, with the return of Garland from several games’ rest and Dead Wade, more understudy than actor, continuing his shockingly convincing Lauri Markannen impression. LeVert’s notable exclusion from the starter’s list meant we would see him debut off the bench, quelling recent internet prognostications as to his position on the roster for at least another game. The Cavs opened with Garland running four consecutive variations on the pick and roll with Allen with the first three failing at the rim, although the pair of All-Stars* did show off a nice double roll with Garland following his own pass to Allen and receiving an outlet from the block. The two teams exchanged the lead often as the quarter progressed. LeVert came off the bench with almost seven minutes left in the quarter, and managed to introduce himself to seven teammates sharing the floor with him through the end of the quarter. LeVert’s first on-ball action found him receiving a dribble handoff from Garland at the wing and immediately changing direction toward the paint, penetrating the Spurs’ perimeter with speed and suddenness notably lacking from recent Cavs efforts, and completing a pass to an open Okoro in the weak side corner.

2nd Quarter

Cleveland’s own opened the second quarter with a barrage of deep shots and a 10-0 run over San Antonio, stretching the lead to 11 within minutes. The Spurs played eager strong side help to the paint, daring the Cavs’ many lesser perimeter shooters to try luck, while themselves going 2-13 from range. Garland frolicked on the court as a rabbit might upon the plain. He went on a seven nothing run, by himself, over the entire opposing team. Caris continued his quiet easing into the rotation, going 7/1/1 with one steal on the half, good for a +11 net rating. The quarter inspired the feeling of a slightly boring romp over a less talented team. The mood was so perfunctory that Pop put his arm around Darius Garland and exchanged pleasantries while they watched Poeltl shoot a pair of freebies to close the half. The wine and gold finished up 57 to 48.

Whats not to love about the @cavs budding star @dariusgarland22 ?? Right Pop? ( Bally Sports) @cavs pic.twitter.com/sAh30rJ7Ev

— .@JohnTelich8 (@JohnTelich8) February 10, 2022

3rd Quarter

Have you ever been fishing? If you have, this quarter of basketball would likely have reminded you of a specific sacred yet mundane task required of the hobby: the killing of a caught fish. I was personally reminded of holding a thrashing walleye against the concrete pier and striking it atop the head with a hefty stick. While there remains an outside chance of escape the biggest mistake you might make is to extend the suffering of your catch. The San Antonio announcer’s booth must have sensed the dire odds. They politely changed the subject to trades not involving the two teams on the floor as the Spurs thrashed, too dumb to know they were dead. Vassell looked pretty good, though. Garland and Okoro both scored 9 points in the quarter, joining the scoreless but impactful Dead Wade in the “+9 net” club. Late three point luck pulled Pop’s squad toward a close 25-27 deficit on the quarter, shortening a 23 point lead to 11 points. Cavs 84, Spurs 73.

4th Quarter

Of course, it’s always a good idea to strike the fish a few times, just in case. San Antonio managed to get within seven halfway through the quarter with comparatively true three point shooting and a few blown help assignments among combinations of Cavs players that have likely not seen the light of a practice court together. LeVert continued to show flashes of how his skill set can help his new team going forward. With eight minutes left in the half LeVert found Mobley among a crowd in the paint for a good look at a basket or a foul. Mobley missed at the rim, but the interior passing stood out, as one has to enter the interior and possess passing skills to earn the chance. LeVert played long in the paint and threatened a very quick pull-up from midrange throughout the game, and the Spurs, already weary from contending with he looming heights of Cleveland’s interior, surrendered enough space to provide for easy offensive looks, including some early in the offense post-ups by Kevin Love who had an otherwise quiet night.

Garland played as though fully healthy in his return to the team and home court, finishing 25-5-6 off efficient 12-15 shooting. Mobley (18 points, 12 rebounds), Allen (15 points, 14 rebounds) and Okoro (14 points in 27 minutes) rounded out the highest usage for the Cavs. LeVert’s stat line (11 points, +8 net in 28 minutes) belied a productive addition while avoiding any major disruptions to flow on either side of the court. For now, the Cavs remain a very good basketball team, and will face three more opponents before their heavily featured all-star break, providing a few more looks at the altered roster. Cavs win, 105 to 92.