Live Thread: Cavs @ Raptors
2016-05-21
This would be the game. If the Cavaliers are to complete the Eastern Conference sweep, they will need to be particularly focused in their first playoff game off American soil. The Raptors have been mostly horrible through the first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals, (or the Cavs have made them look horrible, either way) but the Drakes will likely come out firing in one last effort to salvage the lopsided series. The Cavaliers could be “feeling themselves” a little too much after winning 10 straight. The ball stopped ever so slightly in Game 2, but Kyrie Irving’s jumper and LeBron’s pinpoint passing hid the warts. Defensively, Cleveland was outstanding, but we all know that role players have a tendency to play better at home. The Raptors are 6-2 at home in these playoffs. If Kyle Lowry can continue his strong play in elimination games,(and this basically is one) and the Raptor bench can come through, the Cavs could finally say hello to the loss column.
Still, the Cavaliers have never looked so locked in on both sides of the sidelines. The Raptors will need everything to go their way to stop the Cavs from tying an NBA record with 11 consecutive wins to start the playoffs. Dwayne Casey would be wise to play Norman Powell more as the series goes forward. The Raptors have had no luck shutting down Irving in one-on-one. Powell is a good defender as a rookie and would add a jolt of athleticism and spirit to an occasionally laconic backcourt. Sound off.
This game is on Lue though. He conceded the game when he put Kyrie back in
Who besides Kyrie should be in? Delly is hurt and slow. We needed scoring or we were done anyway.
Shoulda been Delly. At least he was defending. A hobbled Delly was better than Irving. Kyrie was that bad. Maybe Mo.
Mo would have been fine I guess…Delly didn’t defend that well. We just had bad guard play. Maybe shump and JR but shump was terrible on offense. We just had no one available at the pg spot worth playing. Delly got shredded a lot
At least Delly passed.
I don’t understand why Kyrie can’t get around Cory Joseph..
Joseph has gotten away with three very clear offensive fouls
Kyrie should be made to watch tape all night. Maddening.
I’m amazed that all Jeff Van Gundy’s teams eventually tuned him out… (as I put the TV on mute).
I am amazed he hasn’t been hired as a coach again for like ten years now ……… oh wait, no really
The icing on the turd cake from Kyrie.
Wow Kyrie
Kyrie has killed us tonight
Shouldn’t be called a flagrant.
Cavs offense has been down right awful. Really disappointing.
I think that’s a pretty clear flagrant.
I don’t mind the effort level and shots not falling. My issue is with Kyrie and his hero-ball. Bad habit die hard, I guess.
Knew this game was over when Lue put bad Kyrie back in.
+1
This was bound to happen eventually. Open looks not falling, bad discipline on defense. This game is a wake up call, but you can’t win them all.
Exactly, the key is how will they bounce back next game.
I know you guys won’t like this but I don’t mind the Raptors getting the win tonight cause now we are going to see how the Cavs react after this.
I understand, but I mean, rebound the ball, stop giving them soo much space on jump shots, they are nba players and fight for loose balls, I cant wait for Monday, hope Cavs respond. Not gonna read any media, only Cavstheblog this weekend.
Also takes off the pressure of being undefeated and may quash talk of the Cavaliers being the best team in playoffs. Which the Warriors hardly need as extra motivation.
We will win this series of course, but I am stunned by this effort and how utterly deplorable Love and Irving played. TT didn’t get enough boards either.
Cavs need to defend the paint and rebound the ball better in game 4, come with energy from the beginning, cant have Raps getting and hitting open shots early which gave them confidence
Would LOVE Lue to take the whole team of starters out. But coaches can’t do that anymore. We aren’t driving and kicking…we aren’t rolling hard to the hoop on pick n roll, we aren’t attacking the offensive glass at all…it’s not even hard to see what we’re messing up.
Can someone who understands basketball explain what happened? I don’t tell me about “effort,” these are the playoffs
I’m no expert but I think the rebounding disparity and KI/Love going 4-28 has something to do with it
I think Lue is going to be forced to play Moz next game, especially if Valenciunas is back
My dad said the same thing
Cavs have looked dumb all night.
Can we blame this one on Cols?
Give Cols a few days…he’ll look back on this game as a blowout win by then…
hahahaha
Nate, it was your suffocating optimism in the most recent recap that did this. :)
4-5 TO’s this quarter alone, and leaving Biyombo on a 6-0 run who dont even score, come on man
Now Biyombo is scoring to keep the Cavs at bay. That kind of night…
James back door to JR
https://vine.co/v/iEw91JuiZPj
Kyrie is back. This game is over.
Very much on plan
5 points in 6 minutes for both teams, lets see if we can score now
I wonder if Ty Lue will bench KLove for the remaining of this one.
TT has been thoroughly outclassed by big smack…he still has a chance to redeem himself. A couple extra possessions will be huge here
So is the white guy supposed to be married to Chris Paul? I’m confused.
No. DeAndre is Mrs. Hooper.
That’s right.
If JR can hit some shots, Lebron attack, and we defend like mad men, we have a chance
Still alive. Make a couple shots and the Raptors will start feeling the pressure.
Toronto is killing us on the boards. Very disconcerting
Defense is already loads better
Let’s go Cavs! Let’s go Cavs!
I can’t believe we’re only down 10.
Jefferson with a huge bucket. I like this lineup.
How did that Delly shot come out?
I say roll LeBron, Delly, JR, TT and Frye and see if we can steal this
Kyrie and Kevin combined 4-27. That sucks
WHy did Lue stray away from the regular rotations?
I think he kept Lebron on the floor because the rest of the team was playing so poorly. That messed things up.
Lebron needs to bring this home if we have a chance to win this game
Love is beyond awful tonight, but KI is even worse, if possible…
Agreed. Love and Irving are 4/27.
Only 4 boards for Love, too…completely invisible…
Kyrie needs to learn how to use picks better.
He could get better shots and he can use Frye on pick n pops.
Kyrie…smh
Pass the ball Kyrie, people standing at the 3 point line waiting while you take a circus shot.
Just need to hold on long enough for Lebron to get his legs. Then need JR to go off
Kyrie drives me freaking nuts. Possibly the most maddening player ever.
Imagine how the other players feel…
MOvE THE FREAKING BALL KYRIE
Kyrie is not even passing the ball, he is killing us this quarter
Hero ball returns
irving is just terrible tonight.
Pass the freaking ball, Kyrie.
They can’t play Kyrie with the bench guys tonight, but LeBron need a rest
Can’t play Irving with the bench guys ever.
Cavs need someone to dive to the basket. Middle is wide open.
Kyrie isn’t even playing inefficient. He is straight up getting destroyed on both ends.
Lebron should be in, Kyrie dont lead the second unit good, he forces things
Kyrie forcing things
This lineup sucks.
Yeah, crappy start to the 4th….not really feeling it tonight….
We’ve played such a horrible game and Toronto is on fire and we’re still in it.
I cant believe the awful games Kyrie and Love are both having. Zero impact on the game. If either of them does a thing in the 4th we win.
Cavs only down by 10 with Kyrie and Love shooting abysmally and Derozan and Bismarck playing out of their minds
Cavs have only 14 points in da paint
Cavs are 11-32 on 2’s.. If Kyrie and KLove step up on offense in the 4th and we defend like crazy and rebound we have a chance
This game was coming. TOR was going to blow their load in game 3. Hopefully the Cavs weather it and move on. Series is over in 8 days.
Cavs got close there. I really think we might need to see Moz to keep biz off the boards.
Should I bring up the fact that the west coast teams get three days off before game 3?
Only if Toronto also got three days off.
I’m not sure the Cavs will have enough energy to complete the comeback.
Cavs need to step their defense up to start, cant let the lead balloon