CtB Trifecta: Caps, Preview, and Live Thread (or, RICK ROLLING)
2023-01-12Good evening CtB!
Time to clean out the backlog and get back to business! Some random thoughts heading into tonight’s action…
1. Quickcap: Cavs 112, Suns 98 (or, Pro-Caris, Pro-Neto Agendas Victorious)
The story of this game was about the bench gang of Raul Neto, Caris LeVert, and Lamar Stevens clamping the game down on defense and putting away the hospital Phoenix Suns in the Valley of the Sun, 112-98. Those (me) who have been clamoring for Neto backup PG minutes have won the war of ideas. He’s been playing winning basketball for the past couple of weeks, and it would behoove Coach J.B. Bickerstaff to get over his trust issues with Neto and put some respect on the man’s game. Any time the point of attack defense is lacking, Neto should be in the game to change the dynamics.
Even though the counting stats don’t pop off, Caris LeVert may have had his best game as a Cav from an impact standpoint with a +28 plus/minus in 28 minutes off the bench against Phoenix. He’s been trending in the right direction over the past few weeks (Utah notwithstanding) looking more decisive with the ball (6-10 shooting, seven assists to one turnover), and being extremely active on defense (three steals). After some cursory research, Caris is comfortably a top 10 third offensive option in the NBA. This is relevant given all of the trade talk surrounding LeVert. Trying to improve upon LeVert means trying to acquire a player too good to be available for cheap: guys such as Bradley Beal, Jimmy Butler, Malcolm Brogdon, Michael Porter Jr., or CJ McCollum. Given the smoke regarding Tim Hardaway Jr., it’s safe to say any player the Cavs do acquire in a LeVert trade is highly likely to be a lesser player that they’re banking on “fit” to make up for the loss in talent/skill. To that, yours truly says “that’s some bozo shit!”
2. Quickcap: Cavs 114, Jazz 116 (or, Fat Cats, the Sequel)
The Cavs fell into their “fat cats” trap in this game, getting torched on the boards (outrebounded 54-37) and playing selfish basketball (outassisted 21-18). There were bright spots starting off with Donovan Mitchell entertaining the former home crowd with a 40-burger (46 points total). Also, Lamar Stevens had a great game off the bench and guarding Lauri Markkanen. But Cedi Osman was awful off the bench, NBA Champion Kevin Love had an ice cold night shooting, and Caris LeVert got refballed into oblivion. J.B. could’ve helped sticking with some more Love for rebounding and some more Neto for perimeter defense. All in all, it was a game the Cavs deserved to lose and did.
3. RICKY RUBIO IS BACK
ESPN Sources: After a full year of rehabilitating an ACL tear in his left knee, Cavaliers guard Ricky Rubio is targeting a return against the Trail Blazers on Thursday. Rubio will practice today, and if all goes well, play in Portland tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/wB5RzNhRdy
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 11, 2023
WELCOME BACK KING! LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOo
4. NBA Champion Kevin Love goes home
The Cavs travel to the City of Roses to take on the Portland Trail Blazers in some late night basketball action. It’s a homecoming game for Love so hopefully he can get his shot going in the friendly confines of Moda Center. This season the Blazers are the poster child of mediocrity. The Cavs need to handle their business and it starts on the defensive end forcing turnovers against the turnover-happy Blazers. Ricky’s back, the squad is deep, it’s time to get excited about the second half of the season, Go Cavs!
Mobley you star
“an illegal veer.”
Made up nonsense
Wow Mobley!
That was utter fucking garbage.
WTF
Wow… always against the Cavs… momentum killer
If they overturn this, there is no God.
And when Blazers run into us it’s a shooting foul.
Another thing to get rid of is the challenges.
No. Just because our coach sucks at it, they are a good thing.
5 on Nurkic if this stands.
Ugh he’s challenging it
I still contend part of what you have to do is leave bruises. If guys are gonna hunt fouls, then it’s gonna hurt. Also helps your D when u just stunt towards them and the flinch when shooting, expecting the pain. I may not have been fun to play basketball against.
Couldn’t agree more.
Is this my brother?
(his name is Jason)
76ers, Bucks, & Nets all lost tonight.
That’s why we need to win tonight..
Nurkic lol. That’s not how inertia works.
Maybe this will be the reverse of the Jazz game. Dame goes nuts but we win.
The game needs to get rid of refs and the FT shooting.
Darius no no no… Yes!
Becoming quite an entertaining game 👏👏👏
Nice and all but I care about the wins.. We need to win..
These west coast trips aren’t that fun when it’s so late and we end up loosing.
DG!!!
Lillard going bananas now that we can’t guard him.
That’s not a foul!
The foul hunting is so ridiculous. Trip him there.
And with all of that.. they have only attempted 4 more free throws than us.. it doesn’t feel like it..
These damn fouls man
We needed that board.
Lillard with his 82nd FT
Lmaoo
Ice trey!
ICE
Wow I’m shocked..
Ice!
Allen starting to (almost) threaten a triple double.
Ice ties it up!
Big play
Mobes doing work!!!
Mobley playing well this quarter
If he doesn’t foul again, this will be very good for the Cavs.
Bonus basketball.
5 on Grant.
Going with iur best 3 defenders in the frontcourt + DG & Spida.
I’m in favor of just getting rid of FT shooting.
Mobley the JYD this quarter
LeVert a much needed rest
Nice plays from Mobley.. ha drawn 3 fouls so far.
And another rebound for Mobley..
Great D.
Levert’s jumper is not going to be the answer
Lol facts
If they score now.. time out..
This fake and flail is garbage. It isn’t basketball.
The NBA is becoming nigh unwatchable because 9f it.
9ft of it is right. You can’t jump within 9 feet.
Effing garbage.
Sigh.. bad foul again..
I’d say challenge that but I doubt the refs would overturn it
For Sweetchi. Kev has made one three pointer since the game on Jan. 2nd. He’s 1-20 in last 5 games.
Wow… that’s shocking.. and with our limited 3 point shooters, it’s rough..
Holy shit I was right!
Good hustle from Okoro to keep the possession.
Why would it not be cedi in place of okoro here? The spacing makes no sense with okoro
Feel like this lineup is grinding though.
Yes but it was changed immediately. Allen for love and garland for whomever else. Much better balanced
Horrible pass by Mitchell
Sharpe just robbed Payton
JB literally seems to sometimes just watch the game instead of doing his job. We fared ok in that quarter but still gave up 33 points. A couple mins for neto seem super necessary. With all of the guys getting healthy it would seem we are primed for a run…but he doesnt freaking play them
Is Mobley gonna foul out in the first minute of the 4th quarter?
Raúl on Dame!! No one can stay in front
More DM, Allen, Rubio, and throw in Neto.
That would be a nice lineup.
Really hoped love made that 3..
KLove made a 3 in the past week ?! Sheesh
I had to laugh..
Love hasn’t made a 3 in ages
It’s almost like they shouldn’t have rushed him back from a broken hand.
I’m fine with DM & DL having a shootout provided Allen keeps scoring.
Dude needs a rest though.
Nice quarter
Cavs scored 36 but still gave up 33..
4/8 from 3 (12) 6/9 from 2 (12) and then 9 points from the free throw line for Blazers.
Down 2
Allen gotta be exhausted.
Nice pass by DM.. now make your free throws..
Is he challenging
No… good…
Donovan has arrived.
Caris played. Almost this whole quarter. Gotta be pooped
Spida Takeover!
It’s like blazers are either scoring from the free throw line or 3 point line.
Cavs have been 7 points down for days…
Lmaoooo
Just need a touchdown.
Raul and Mitchell please.
JB might do that. When DG hits 6 fouls.
Garland dribbled too much on that last play that ended with an offensive foul.. thought it would be an and 1.
Garland doing too much. Run the damned offense.