Live Thread: Pacers vs Cavs
2016-02-29
The Indiana Pacers are also going through an identity crisis. All off-season, Larry Legend and the rest of the Indiana brass spoke of unleashing Paul George at the power forward spot. After watching the 2015 Finals, Bird knew which way the wind was blowing. Early in the season, former Cav swingman, C.J. Miles provided the tough wing and post defense in the Pacer small-ball lineup. Like Shane Battier and LeBron, George was only a power forward in name as Miles frequently guarded much bigger PFs, freeing George to stay on the wing. PG-13’s great return from injury and Ian Mahinmi’s improvement provided Indiana a functional small-ball unit that switched seamlessly on the perimeter. But, it had its consequences. Though the Pacers did a great job defending the three ball, they got hammered on the boards and bled points down low.
My preseason pick for “most influential rookie on a decent team”, Myles Turner missed much of the first half of the season with a fractured left thumb. His play after his return has met my expectations. Combined with a C.J. Miles nagging calf strain, Turner’s play has necessitated a switch of the starting lineup. Turner’s defensive presence and silky jumper have been very solid of a rookie, but it has drastically changed the Pacers’ style of play. Their big lineup has been solid in the paint and efficient on the offensive end, but their perimeter switch-ability has taken a hit. During their recent cold streak, opposing teams are lighting them up from behind the arc.
Fortunately for Frank Vogel, the non-galvanized Cleveland Cavaliers also play two traditional bigs. If Myles Turner can play Kevin Love to a draw, look for the Cavaliers’ sadness to continue.
The Cavs should be at full strength for this one unless you count whatever is ailing Mo Williams as a legitimate injury. Sound off.
Update: Mozzy will get the start
I thought Lue’s comments on TT was interesting on why he started him on bench. He had said he felt starting Bigs were tiring Tristan down too much. And he said let’s face it, he is NOT a center, he’s a 4. He loved seeing what TT & Delly could do together again.
Yeah that new Clippers mascot looks like something from the 60’s. Or something in a horror movie…
Again I just read this but it this is perfectly on point.
“This Cavs team is perfectly constructed to highlight Kyrie’s main offensive weakness as a point guard.”
6 AST 11 FT 1 stk and 1-2 3pt shooting. Haters gonna hate.
Does that screams the overall picture tho? Look. I’m not hating on Ky. In fact it’s the otherwise. But let’s admit he needs to CONSISTENTLY be on attack/aggressive mode to maximize his value on this team as currently constructed. His shooting will come back and will always be a strength of his until he retires. But in order to be on the next level, he needs to learn to play off-ball, spot-up, always be in front of his man on D, AND be a floor general more often than not. And he needs to do that every single night. Also,… Read more »
This Cavs team is so mentally tough. Can’t wait til they get their offensive rhythm gets back.
Stop hacking other accounts Cols..
Yep. Mentally tough and fun. LeBron was unstoppable tonight.
Love has been pretty bad on the wide open 3s. If he can get that back, the game will look way less close.
Not a quote from me but I have to copy this.
“They win because of Lebron’s talent. They lose because of his mentality.”
A great statement to summarize not just Lebron but the ENTIRE organization.
Cavs’ Kyrie Irving shot down notion he’s unhappy in Cleveland. “(Rumors) gonna happen regardless.” — Amico
Kyrie has his Haters in the media.
He’s either doing damage control, or Stephen A. was flat out lying. I give virtually no regard to anything Stephen A. says, and I never even hear about stuff he says unless it’s posted in places like this, but I doubt he’s flat out lying.
Hmmm Why don’t you ask Kevin Durant about that?
Like I said, I doubt he’s ever flat out lying. He may have incorrect sources. Or the players may be just denying stuff that is uncomfortable for them.
We’ve got two big revenge games on Friday (Washington), and Saturday (Boston). Good time to get some practices in. Hope they slam the Wiz, so LeBron can rest in the 4th vs. Washington. Then destroy Boston, so Simmons and Heinsohn go on a tirade!
A rested LeBron is a much better LeBron. Gotta control his minutes and skip back to backs.
So tonight Lue ran Love into the ground instead.
But they finally brought the playoff-level defense in the final 5-6 minutes.
Here , Here! Lebron is even more amazing just getting a little rest. I think he got about 6-7 mins. Lue has got to be tough on this and tell him ‘Talk to the Hand” On Love, I wonder if he kinda forgot about his time. Having TT & Delly was so Key at then end. Blatt often went to that line up for a very good reason. Not necessary against every team but a tough team like Pacers and it’s close, you gotta go with the Best line-up to get the W.
As I said initially, it’s going to take quite a bit for me to get back to being excited. Glad we were able to finish this one out. Especially against a division oopponent whi we’ve been putrid against.
JR was infectious with his hustle tonight. For most of the game, it didn’t seem like there was much energy until the moment it mattered most. If this team is relying to flip that switch just because the games are playoff games, that is a very hard sell.
I am a bit concerned still with the effort and malaise that this team has for most games.
Kyrie/LeBron/JR/Tristan were great tonight and Kevin was definitely the stinker. He had multiple GREAT looks with Monta Ellis (who is like 6 foot 2 MAYBE) closing out on him…..
J.R. was infectious.
I think they just don’t know what they want to do a lot of times.
I agree with what Lue said in the PC. They need to be flying around on D, trapping and switching.
Cavs play Washington again Friday. I’m hoping it’s the most exciting game of the year.
Mike Podracky – If you have $25 tickets, I’ll take them.
U Dog, I am going Friday. Salute to the Miracle of Richfield team ! Two more game tix left for the regular season.
WE NEED TO GET SHUMP BACK TO PLAYING LIKE HE DID LAST YEAR ——MAN HIS CONFIDENCE IS LOST EVEN ON THE DEFENSIVE SIDE
That could have easily been a loss. Cavs competed at a high level down the stretch. Got stops, and some timely buckets. That Delly 3 was Huuuuuuge
Delly trey was even more awesome considering how cold the Cavs had gotten from the outside in those waning minutes… Also, really glad the refs went back to check that PG-13 three that came after the buzzer… Big swing…
Yes. Everybody seemed to have gone cold and I thought, “who’s going to shoot for us down the stretch.” Delly said, “I will mate!”
So key take aways…1. Lebron with TT, Jr and Delly, add in Mosgov=better than any lineup featuring Love or Kyrie. 2. Without Lebron in the game the Cavs are awful.
EVIL 1-0 ON HIS “COMEBACK TOUR “—WE ENDED 1 STREAK “ONLY HAD 22 ASISTS DID NOT HOT THE MAGICAL 23 NUMBER AND STILL WON —I WILL TAKE IT !!—— NO COLS WE ARE NOT DOOMED BUT WE STILL NEED TO SEE CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT / GO ON A WIN STREAK TO RESTORE NOT ONLY OUR CONFIDENCE BUT MORE IMPORTANT THE PLAYERS
Glad you hung in there NOMAD… It’s games like this that will mean something in terms of strengthening both the defensive toughness and mental fortitude…
I’m sure this win doesn’t matter and the Cavs are still doomed.
This win matters exactly as much as the losses matter to you. Can’t shrug off one and crow about the other.
Yup. Same as how you treat every loss. ;)
Cavs are undefeated since I came back… /s
And the CtB has stepped up its game since you have been back !
EG – You always cease to amaze me!
That was genius, man!
Say what you will about Kyrie but its such a luxury to have a guy like him at the stripe in these end of game situations.
I love Kyrie… I don’t care what anyone says.
+1
Just know he’s not the most popular fella on this blog
Oh, I’m aware… ;)
This was the game he needed. Helped improve team chemistry. Yes a galvanizer kind of a game
I love Kyrie too.
Whatever it is, I hope things get worked out.
When things go well – it’s amazing.
Same here. I’m guilty of brushing off the criticism he gets here haha.
Think this was his best, most engaged game of the season. Really competed. Didn’t always make the right play, but kept attacking.
He really did hustle a lot more… I would like to see him still push the ball more to kickstart the offense, but I still think that will come with time…
Always better with EG!
Thanks Dave! Great to be back with you guys!
That was a thoroughly entertaining game!
That was a nice win. Much needed!
FT time, let’s ice this