Live Thread: Game 2, Cavs vs Heat (Or, Hit the Glass)
2025-04-23Welcome back for game 2, CtB faithful. The Cavs played well Sunday, but rebounding will be a big focus going into game two. Cleveland won the game and the rebound battle 43-37, but I’d bet coach Atkinson was not happy about the 11 offensive rebounds for the Heat. They need to focus on dominating the boards
Meanwhile, Okoro, Wade, and Hunter need to step up their game, as the trio combined for zero points and six rebounds in just under 29 Game 1 minutes. The Heat will be missing Love (personal issues) and Rozier (ankle) and I’m sure will try to junk up the game and win the hustle battle. Look for them to generate more looks for Adebayo and Herro who combined to go 17-40. Honestly, the teams shot pretty evenly Sunday, but the Cavs got to the line more and won the possession battle. Hopefully the Cavs pour it on tonight. Go Cavs.
Wow that Travis Hunter has a boatload of personality, too. Good luck to him in his home state!
Browns reloading some on picks after blowing them all on the Watson deal makes some sense, though.
I like it – they weren’t getting their franchise QB with the number 2 overall this year (Shedeur Sanders prolly isn’t that guy). But now with two number 1s next year that are both likely to be top 10 at least, they have the ammo to maybe get that guy in 2026. And if they nail ## 33 and 36 — massive “IF” of course — they could end up with three quality starters in the first two rounds this year.
Browns did it again. hope it is not another “#2 pick traded for Brandon Weeden + a bunch of guys that never made the team”. Weeden sure had an all time auspicious start, when he made his first enterence and had to be rescued from being smothered by a giant flag.
CONGRATS/ MOBES / DPOY —-DESERVING—-DONT LET IT BE YOUR LAST 👍🏀💪
Evan Mobley wins DPOY!
First Cavalier to win it.
LeBron should have won it in 2009. But glad to see Mobley honored!
Interesting wrinkle that Windy mentioned a few weeks ago was that if Mobley wins DPOY his salary would go way up, making it even more difficult for the Cavs to resign both Ty and Sam. Happy for Evan, no question. But wouldn’t have lost sleep if he had missed out.
We will be over the second apron, so we are limited with what we can offer them anyways. I don’t think that will further restrict us.
pretty sure it majorly restricts us. anyone know the exact details on what this will mean going down the road?
Source?
I read a little about it. I don’t believe it restricts what we could potentially offer either Merrill or Ty. We would obviously just have to pay more due to tax implications.
I know a good way to shed salary. Trade Okoro!
absolutely, but they might have trouble finding anyone who will trade anything for Okoro and his salary.
pretty sure DM and DG will make 30% of the total cap, and EM will now make more than 30%, which adds up to “more than 90%”. this doesn’t seem to leave a lot of room for anyone else.
I know it is not that simple, but that is kind of the basis
I think that the assumption was that we were already over second apron next season regardless of the whether em salary increased, so the potential offers to bird right fa’s was already capped, so there’s no change by going further over now.
thnx, that is interesting.
I TOTALLY HATE THE 1:00 SATURDAY TIME—- HAVE ANOTHER TRACK INVITE—- ITs ALL ON YOU CTB BROS😎 TO GET A “ W “
FOR CAVS FANS IN EUROPE IT IS PERFECT TIME!
Yes. Not going to be able to watch live, here.
Just saw the video. Clearly a travel. The gather was done and then three steps.
The fact that Tony Brothers has a job is the most egregious thing about the NBA. The fact that he is officiating playoff games is downright preposterous. The dude sounded clearly inebriated on his first review explanation.
Brad knew Tony would be the story of the game even before the game started and called his shot afterwards. I’m glad he tells it like it is.
2-0!
It really is amazing that the Heat have won TEN challenges ALL SEASON LONG! Kenny and the Cavs have dozens and dozens of horrendous calls to choose from every game, so it’s just a matter of picking the two that are most consequential.
The Cavs’ second challenge last night really was amazing. You never see a challenge like that because, usually, if a ref isn’t positive the ball was out of bounds, he doesn’t call it out of bounds. But these things apparently don’t apply to the Cavs.
Agree re Brothers. Dangerous to diagnose based just on what one sees on tv screen but he looks /sounds like an old guy struggling for words, not quite keeping up w what’s happening and relying greatly on his past experience. I’m kind of stunned that he is worthy of playoff duty. The only other ref I recognize w similar cringe is Natalie Sago (…just ask Ty Jerome….). I did also notice Daugherty calling it out postgame.
Gimmee Three Steps by Lynyrd Skynyrd should be the official song of the NBA. Sometimes it is even four. Blatant travels are let go all the time.
IT WAS CLEARLY 4.5 STEPS—- SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN IN A PLAYOFF GAME
Kenny might need the use Dean Wade more against that Heat lineup that was smoking us in the end of the 3rd and beginning of the fourth.
Agree, I get why Wade’s role has been reduced but I disagree. Okoro I totally get. But in AK we trust…
KA?
Him too
Watched Herro layup in slo-mo. Depending on when the gather happened, he either took 7 or 8 steps and only dribbled once.
Wish I had video. When was it?
That was nuts. I was like, did I just see that? Isn’t he supposed to dribble sometime?
https://x.com/Reflog_18/status/1915222640115016117
It’s frustrating when they call travels on the Cavs for much less.
I depends on when the gather is, though. You can throw it ahead and take 10 steps before the next dribble/gather and it is fine.
A win is a win. 21-23 from the line is taking care of business. Just miss the old dominant Cavs. That team that went into Orlando and won by 40 seems long gone. If Mitchell is 7/10 from 3 Cavs should win by a ton.
We get a lead & get complacent and the D isn’t stifling.
Conversely, real Milton Berle game vibes. Pulled out just enough to win. I don’t think they’re good enough to play like that regularly, but they’re protecting their health.
I REALIZE THE HEAT NEVER QUIT PLAYING HARD —- BUT WHEN YOU ARE UP 19 —- YOU NEED TO MATCH THE INTENSITY AND “ SLAM THE DOOR “
I SEE ICE s / WADE s MINUTE s REDUCED TO. 10 / 6 —— GOOD DECISIONS BY KA ??
They were fine. Wade DNP in the 2nd half last game either.
Both guys were positive from +/- perspective. Wade +6, Okoro +1.
Okoro was not good
I didn’t say he was good. I said he was fine (OK) and we were a positive with him out there. Though barely.
If we are gonna go deep, we have a long way to go. I would not start cutting guys out of the rotation yet. I want to save tread on the Core 4 for as long as possible AND both guys may be needed later.
But I think it is true that Ice/Wade are 9th/10th (10th/9th) on the depth chart. Merrill 8th. Jetome & Hunter 6th/7th (or 7th/6th). Strus 5th.
I find it strange their minutes are paired.
HAD A LATE TRACK INVITE 🏃——- READ SOME POST s / CHECKED BOX SCORES—— WILL IT BE ON REPLAY——- ARE THERE ANY CONCERNS THE HEAT COULD WIN 2 IN MIAMI ( REMINDER OUR SOUTH BEACH CURSE —- GO CAVS
That was a sloppy win.
Don:
17 pts in the 4th
6-9 FG, 4-4 3PT, 1-2 FT
Everyone else:
1-7 FG, 0-3 3PT, 9-10FT
So basically 9 of our 11 points came on freethorws and everyone besides D. Mitchell went 8-8 in the last 3:30 minutes.. so basically no one else really scored before the 3 min mark besides Don.. he legit carried us.
And he made 2 more threes that didn’t count after bad calls.
Well, we at least are going to hang on up 7.
But playing Miami is good playoff practice. They scrap & never give up.
agree. they also have one of the best coaches ever, so it is good to deal with whatever cracks he can find.
They did make it exciting.
Great close by Mitchell. Tough night in some ways for Ty and Darius, but the boys get it done!
Great play Max.
That should do it!
Just get one more stop and a bucket and I think we are good
Evan showing tremendous growth with his three point shooting and free throw shooting in this playoff game
Cool free throws by Mobes. Just need to make our shots here.
Attaway Mobes. FT’s win games.
It’s not just the sloppy offense that’s concerning here, its the fact that their shooters were wide open this quarter.
It’s a dogfight!
Cavs have to win this challenge. That is a terrible call.
ARE YOU ENJOYING THE ENTERTAINMENT MR RILEY?????
Sweaty palms time!
and heart racing time.
OMG what an awful call.
Agree. Worry they’ll not overturn. Slight bump right before shot went up.
And rightly overturned.
Great iso Mitchell, but I do not understand these sets.
You are not alone.
Spida-man to the rescue.
Wow spida.
Get a stop.
What is this offense with Mobley and Allen in the weak side corner?
Need stops!!!
Since being up 91-72 with 3:36 left.. Heat has gone on a 27-10 in the last 11 minutes.
Look, this right here is the major question about this team. Otger than Mitchell, whose O do you trust when the pressure is on?
DG? Jerome? Mobley?
None of those guys have proven they can be counted on (yet).
DG has been very clutch this season. But yes, the playoffs are a different beast.
Seriously why won’t they call a travel on the Heat! what the heck
This is why I wanted the Bulls in the first round.
If we can’t beat Miami, we aren’t a contender.
I know. I know.
We need to start driving to the hoop at least.
Oof. Wtf are you doing, guys? Terrible decision by garland not to just give it to Hunter in the post.
He gets too cute,overdribbling.
100% CORRECT HERE NATE
Cavs choking!!!
Get a freaking rebound
Jerome over dribbling. Need to run quick hitters to secondary action with Strus.
Not great Bob.
Melting down here.
Okoro has been a nothing this game.
2 offensive rebounds leading to 6 pts… box the hell out.
Mobley and Allen gotta bring em home.
Mitchell needs some help. Gotta close this quarter out.
7 points last 8 minutes.
Cannot clean glass. Heat 3. 6 point game. Plenty of time.
Spida just in complete control
What the fuck is going on with the refs. They refuse to call a travel on the Heat no matter how bad it is
I’ve counted 5…2 on Highsmith. One each on Herro, Adebayo & Jovic.
Tony Brothers inserting himself to play for the Heat.
WTF!!!!! How’s that not a shooting foul. Fuck you Tony!
Thank you Spida!
Cavs have gone ice cold!
We got a game here.
Humdrum close. Feel like Hunter is regressing to the mean.
Put the petal to the metal in the 4th.
Not a great close to that quarter. No points in the last 2:30.
Souda, Mobes, Ty, Merrill, & Hunter in there for it.
If one gives Herro a travel on his studderstep double team split that’s 7 Heat points (5 from the first quarter) that came off of non-travel calls. This is Lakers-Kings 2002 level horse manure.
Not good enough. We demand an apology to DG.
Thought it looked like a clean save. Bs call.
Refs pulling some shit to keep it close.
These refs are trying to bring the Heat back in the game.
Davion flopped!