Live Thread: Cavs vs Knicks
2020-12-29The Knicks come to town to night with our old friend Alec Burks leading the way, averaging a surprising 20 in his first three games. Sadly, he’s out tonight (ankle) , as this this turning into a battle of the walking wounded between these two squads. Joining Burks in NBA dress attire for the Knicks: Obi Toppin (calf), Immanuel Quickley (hip), Dennis Smith Jr. (calf), and Austin Rivers (groin).
For Cleveland the list is more worrisome. Kevin Love is out three weeks with strained calf. Playing him injured in the second game of a back-to-back when he went through double overtime the night before remains the team’s dumbest early season decision for an organization that has mostly avoided them.
Also concerning: Isaac Okoro has entered the NBA’s “health and safety protocol” and is out. This likely means he has either a positive Covid-19 test or reported an exposure. Hopeful he makes a quick and full recovery. Ice joins Dylan Windler (hand), Kevin Porter Jr (personal), Matthew Dellavedova (concussion).
Look for Dean Wade to get some more minutes at the backup four spot, and for the Cavs to use Dante Exum at multiple positions to fill in the gaps. Before the injuries, I expected the Knicks to use a game play to take away the Cavs strengths. Basically, I expected them to do what Detroit and Philly failed to do: play Andre Drummond one on one and not over-react to his gravity.
Much of the reason that the field goal percentage of Cavs’ guards and wings is so high is because teams are over-reacting to Drummond on the roll and in the post, and his gravity is creating a layup line for the Cavs ball-handlers (as is his defense when it feeds the transition). I expect the Knicks to be more disciplined, and I expect to see more Mitchell Robinson on Drummond than the wiry Nerlens Noel.
Also interesting to see: whether the Knicks dissect the Cavs’ zone with hot outside shooting like they did in the pre-season. Personally, I am expecting a bit of a regression for before the coming road trip Cleveland as they and their fans may have been reading too much of their own press, and guys like Frenchie Long Arms (Fank Ntilikina) have killed them when pressed into duty in the past.
Let’s hope the Cavs can overcome the disease of more, and better coaching than they’ve faced so far now that Thibs has three games worth of film to look at. Should be a fun one!
wasn’t able to catch the game, but looks like there’s some positives still in the loss. If they have Okoro and KLOVE, they probably win this game. Cedi struggled as a starter (-14 plus/minus, 0-5 from 3), and Nance struggled with his 3 probably because of heavy minutes (43 minutes, 1-6 from 3). Their defensive assignments were the Knicks top 2 scorers tonight too. Peyton and Knox were plus/minus stars for them tonight… gotta figure Okoro would’ve been defending both of the guys tonight at various points. DG 6 assists only 1 turnover, 3-8 from 3, even 2 steals!!! Drummond… Read more »
Cedi and Sexton need to do a lot better job rebounding… 3 combined rebounds from the SG/SF positions in 70 minutes played not gonna cut it.
Part of the rebounding was missing so damn many shots. They missed a wild amount of wide open threes and even layups in the first half. Didn’t see much of the second half. Off game for a lot of people. Not sure how much I would credit the knicks versus just a flukey variance game.
But yeah they did give up some treys. Still you should be able to win in today’s nba if you only give up 95 points. Fluke game.
oh, shooting variance game for sure. Also, I forgot to mention probably all around trap game after doing the back to back double OT vs. Detroit and beating Philly.
But looking at some of the advanced stats, early pattern I’m seeing is that they’re missing Okoro’s and KLove’s passing badly on offense, and DG is basically the whole offense (and Drummond) for the Cavs right now in terms of net rating… he’s +6 or so OVER the Cavs average (!!!).
Great news is everyone’s playing great defense, literally everyone lol!!!
Drummond had 18 points 17 boards, 3 steals, and 6 blocks……
Bottom line, you’re not going to win many or any games in today’s NBA with 86 points. Just try to do better next time. I think they were playing the right way the entire first half, just no reward for it.
Awful last possession by sexton. Trying to play hero. Leads to tov. Game was probably over anyway I guess.