Live Thread: Celtics @ Cavs
2022-11-02Good evening CtB
The Cavs welcome the Boston Celtics to the shores of Lake Erie for part deux of their home and home series over the last week. This stakes are already high even this early in the season because the good teams don’t take nights off, and both squads are sitting top three in the conference at the time of this writing. Revenge will surely be on Boston’s mind, while the Cavs are welcoming back Darius Garland and Dylan Windler back into the fold. This is a game where the Cavs and the home crowd need to bring the playoff intensity.
There are two things the Cavs did well last game that they will need to replicate: rebounding and isolation playmaking from Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Caris LeVert. Boston’s lack of size needs to be taken advantage of, even though Grant Williams will be back from his one game suspension. Boston’s switch everything defense will force the guards to hunt mismatches and break their defenders down off the dribble. It will be fascinating to see what adjustments both teams make with the quick turnaround and fresh memories.
#Cavs Darius Garland is playing tonight.
— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) November 2, 2022
Tip off is scheduled for 7:30PM Eastern time and will be broadcasted nationally on ESPN and locally on Bally Sports Ohio, Go Cavs!
Irving suspended by Nets. At least 5 games.
About freaking time. Pathetic it took so long.
I think Kyrie might be finished playing in the NBA.
https://twitter.com/hpbasketball/status/1588318446302875649?s=46&t=FbIbtvdLkuL7Zb9atVJ-Qw
Yep. I hope so. He is a douche.
If he sticks to his guns, he’s done in Brooklyn.
Maybe someone takes a chance on a cheap deal when he is a FA.
I don’t think anyone wants to touch him.
even bron may not want the stank attached to him.. time will tell
I think it’s fine they took the time they did, if they are being honest about getting Irving to recognize his failure and giving him opportunities to correct himself. People jump to punishment far too quickly. Better long term for everyone if you can have a conversation to acknowledge why something is wrong or harmful. But Irving opted to push hate, and therefore must be punished.
https://twitter.com/chrisfedor/status/1588283489128153088?s=46&t=FbIbtvdLkuL7Zb9atVJ-Qw
So:
LeVert, Okoro, Wade, Mobley, Allen (1st unit)
Cedi, Stevens, Diakite, Love, Lopez (2nd unit)
One of the ball-handlers will play, methinks. Probably Garland.
If not, we are punting the Detroit game.
Or it will be the Mamadi breakout game!
wow. DW got injured sitting on the bench last night.
Just reiterate my point on JBs flexibility, and examine the minutes issue, here are the minutes played in each game this year. DM: 35, 35, 45 (OT, b2b), 37, 46 (OT), 37, 44 (OT) CLV: 35, 33, 36 (OT, b2b), 33, 43 (OT), 29, 46 (OT) EM: 36, 25, 37 (OT, b2b), 34, 42 (OT), 34, 32 (OT) JA: 34, 29, 38 (OT, b2b), 30, 40 (OT), 26, 36 (OT) DG: 13, 0, 0 (OT, b2b), 0, 0 (OT), 0, 42 (OT) ———————- DW: 22, 4, 21 (OT, b2b), 30, 39 (OT), 33, 24 (OT) CO: 28, 26, 32 (OT,… Read more »
https://twitter.com/ElGee35/status/1588253481508356096?s=20&t=vmEhhK82fAZ3T6Mf7TPfiw
FWIW, Harden out a month with foot injury. No more FatBeard for Philly for a bit (and he is in good shape this year).
I say this not to cheer an injury, but to point out that we have a real chance to put some distance between us and some teams everyone (Philly) or most (Nets, Heat) had in the top 6.
They also might be better without him.
Actually seems quite possible yes
I’m just gonna leave this right here… ESPN SMH…
Ooof.
That’s unfortunate… but they got this correct though.
dunno — i’m not surprised.
Really interesting that JB had Dean Wade in there for the last play. I wouldn’t have guessed that at the beginning of the season (Wade over Okoro or Lamar). Wades contract looks like a steal.
To clarify, I mean Wade in for defense over these other players.
A lot of people took notice last season when Wade really clamped down on Durant. I remember it as one of those moments of like, uhhh was that a fluke or does this guy have something? Looking pretty real to me now.
Good point – totally forgot about that.
Agreed. Though length helps.
Okoro is much better vs smaller guys. Once you get to 6’7″ & up, they just shoot over him.
Just want to bear witness that Nate was all over the Primo problem before any other.
I just want to add, having Rubio (or even Neto) available may help alleviate some of the stagnant periods on offense.
I have to give credit to JB. Even though injuries have muddled things some, but he has not been rigid in his minutes distribution, or stubborn.
Yes, there was always going to be experimentation with rotations early on. And that can continue in earnest now that DG is back. Rubio will add another layer later. But beyond the core 4 principles (1 of DG/DM & EM/JA on court at all times), he’s been really good about riding hot hands/what works. And players 5-14 have bought in to that.
agreed! only criticism i have is the heavy minutes, even without OT Caris was going to be 41, DG 37, and DM 38 which is just a lot for such a long season. I think the reasons being the game was close and the bench stunk but still, would like him to trust the non-starters just a bit more.
It was a big game and both teams wanted it bad. Boston rode Tatum, Brown, Smart, & Horford hard. Just like we did with DM, Garland, LeVert, and JA (Mobley had 1st half foul trouble).
We have played 3 OT games in the first 7. That skews the minutes thing hard this early. Especially with DG out, Spida & LeVert were gonna play super heavy minutes. And then we lost Neto the game DG got back.
I get the concern, and I share it. With DG back, hopefully Don & Caris get more rest. A healthy Rubio will help later in the year.
But there is a case to be made for getting these guys a lot of minutes together early. Things have gone unbelievably well so far, but DM is new, and LeVert nearly so. We could use some familiarity.
Matt Ryan was in summer league for Cavs some time in the last couple years, Buck.
that was a big time/big balls play.. probably 1 in 10,000 but still impressive..
Who says no?
https://twitter.com/clevelandsownac/status/1588001795342835715?s=46&t=nXTRY9qEZpFGPBInG4_enw
RJ is a sweet bro
I wish we could get RJ as our analyst heir apparent for AC. Sadly, I would guess he wants to stay on the national broadcasts, though.
Brin bricked away late, but Lakers win in OT after Ryan’s miracle 3 with 1.7 left off an 8nbounds after NO missed 2 FT up 3.
the game between the lakers and hornets is so playground. Neither of these teams is going to make noise this year despite otherworldly talent. makes me sad for both.
Pelicans. Hornets is Charlotte these days.
I still mess that up, too, sometimes.
Lakers move to 1-6. The stench must too much for the fanbase now, surely?
not so quick.. 3 pt buzzer beater..OT
Ha! Yeah I should have known better….
who the fuck is matt ryan ?? got some big balls
Making up for those LBJ bricks.
this could be a big win for LaLa.. Pels with Z are pretty good.. bron 0-7 on 3..
Huge win for LA. Huge.
He’s supposedly the 1 shooter LA has, but he hardly plays.
My main thing is for the Cavs to not let down and loose next week. Like when Lakers came to Cleveland last year and Lebron had a 38 pt triple double.
We have a 5 game road trip upcoming. Tied for the longest of the year. Detroit and then all of Cali.
ready for it. if the Cavs get through the next 5 in good shape, that will be a heck of a start.
Went to the game, the energy was wild. Can’t remember a regular season game that was so hype. A real defensive chess match back and forth. Grant Williams was getting away with absolute murder. Smart should be kicked out of the league. The Celtics played fantastic team ball but the Cavs had the best two offensive players on the floor. A playoff series would be intense. In summary, someone please throw the refs and Marcus Smart into a garbage can.
Nice! Travesty smart got dpoy last year. Seems pretty clear Williams was just as important to them defensively.
Envious. Great game to attend!
Smart should have been kicked out of th3 league years ago. Eff him. Envy your experience.
The overtime wins so far could come up so big at the end of the year. That’s what a team leader like mitchell gives you. Getting home court in round one would be spectacular. But even escaping the play in might be in play here…and these two wins early on will play a big role toward the end of the year. we were in the playoffs until right at the end last year. a couple losses stand out as problematic…losing to detroit…losing to chicago…this team has a chance to be great this year.
don’t think we will be worrying about the play-in any time soon
Tend to agree. But the East is loaded.
Milwaukee, Boston, Philly, Raptors, Heat, Hawks, Nets (theoretically).
wow.. LaLa over zion & co 56-44 at halftime
Behind now.
RJ just went off on his appreciation of the Cavs on ESPN… “top 3 team in the NBA”
And in pregame he was sharing the love for “the 216”
https://twitter.com/wxshaw/status/1587957049299804161?s=46&t=dYhZRE6dBXcx-m_q3XsLQg
Fact: Cavs don’t win tonight without R.Lopez’s 2pts. Thanks Big Guy! Go Cavs!!!!!
Facts.
True – they don’t even make it into overtime.
😂
https://twitter.com/hammernation19/status/1587993857827930113?s=46&t=dYhZRE6dBXcx-m_q3XsLQg
Lol
haha!
Seriously.
1) Kyrie should not have a platform.
2) They suck.
Up there in contention for the tweet of the year.
https://twitter.com/mikewach32/status/1587994112434790406?s=46&t=VOeFKJQGhSNE3bbAqCBcbA
https://twitter.com/kendrickperkins/status/1587993513651740673?s=46&t=VOeFKJQGhSNE3bbAqCBcbA
Mitchell is a shockingly competent team leader. I expected us to gain an otherworldly talent. Everything about his career proves he has that. I did not expect us to be acquiring an entire team personality thermostat. He does NOT give up. The cavs kinda had that last year but not to this degree. Freaking legend
“A slightly better version of Sexton”. I will never stop mocking the idiots who propagated that.
Just look at their stats /s
Currently so true. Sexton could become something special…i honestly hope he does cuz he is a freakin dawg. Mitchell makes things happen with a Will that few players seem to have. He plays defense and offense in a way where you think he is in control of the movements you are watching. Outcomes are so much more likely to be in his favor. Its probably statistically measurable on some level but it is easy to see as a longtime basketball fan. He is manipulating everyone else. Sign of a true great.
It’s not too impressive to put up scoring numbers on a terrible team, which is mostly what Sexton has done. Not trying to crap on him, more on his insufferable stans. Meanwhile, Mitchell has put up 50-60 points in playoff series games.
“Mitchell will come back to Earth”….no awards for guessing who tweeted this a few days ago.
Nor should you.
https://twitter.com/cavs/status/1587992002137886720?s=46&t=VOeFKJQGhSNE3bbAqCBcbA
Looking at years of big games with the Celtics. Two big overtime’s already!
We are way ahead of where I thought we’d be. 6-1 with DG playing only 1 game. Ice cold. Wade/Love/Cedi streaky. LeVert cannot make a two.
Still, top 5 on O & D coming in. We should improve in terms of our cohesion as we go forward. And once Rubio comes back.
Hope DM does not miss time with the ankle.
WOW! Cavs dodge the bullet at the end and hang on. Solid D by Dean Wade on the last shot. Really gutty win with outside shots not falling for the bench.
Garland looked great. Cavs are for real for sure.
it’s nice LeVert is impacting these games late with D and o-rebounding. Also, that Mitchell sky 1-handed rebound needs to go on a poster
I have never seen a 6’1 guard rebound in traffic like he does.
Haven’t gotten NBA League Pass yet, so the punishment fits the crime. But I’ve enjoyed toggling between a game tracker and CtB. Fun stuff!
hey daspec90!!!
that was a supremely fun end of game. This team is for real. Celtics and Cavs are fun to watch. Felt like a playoff game.
It’s hard to get to the Finals, obviously, but if they have some things go their way, these Cavs absolutely have a shot…
I woukd worry much more about the Bucks than cs. And I would worry about the cs with or without Williams.
Remember no Middleton when the cs beat the bucks in 7 games last year. With Middleton, the bucks may be on another level.
Are. There is no may about that. The bucks are the team to beat this year and were last year before injuries.
True
Agreed. If Middleton is healthy, I think the beat Boston & GSW.
The Bucks would be a tough out. But some other team could always beat them before the Cavs had to see them.
Could but as Scotch said they were the team to beat prior to Middleton getting injured and probably still are.
Cavs win !!!
Good stuff tonight in a game where no one not named Mobley was hyper efficient.
Up. Down. Up. Down. Up. OT. Win.
Holy Moly,,,,,,That was something.
Looks like the C’s had to use another time out to advance the ball.
Great win considering they didn’t shoot well from outside. And it’s good to see Mobley coming back to make a difference in the 2nd half. These teams look even to me (let’s see what impact Rubio and Williams make)
Williams will be a bigger impact because they aren’t even close to the defensive team they were without him. But at the same time Rubio should bolster bench units and the cavs are still getting used to the Mitchell dynamic even though it has been a revelation. The cavs will get better just thru familiarity.
The celtics are really good, but they are what they are.
Whooiii my heart couldn’t take a loss!
https://twitter.com/reflog_18/status/1587993651535388673?s=46&t=VOeFKJQGhSNE3bbAqCBcbA
This will be an insane playoff series if it happens. They’re so evenly matched, but young cavs pulling out the close ones.
Dean Wade. Celtic stopper.
One of the underrated role players in the NBA today…
Stopped game winners against both Tatum and Brown in the same week
Fucking justice. Screw the Celtics. Mitchell should be the junkyard dawg after that gritty effort on the ankle.
Hell yeah. Ladies and gentlemen. The Cleveland Cavaliers!!!
Whefff!!!!! Go Cavs!
Maybe it was just gas…..
I got a bad feeling….
Need a two but will have to inbound from backcourt.
Marcus smart should get fined. Just continuously. He should be fined until further notice. He does not play basketball.
Cannot believe C’s did not foul there.
We failed to KO them again.
Cavs should have called a time out there, if they had any.
Smart is the best defensive flopper, never been the dpoy.
2nd flop for Smart rewarded in last 10 minutes. A disgrace.
Wtf.
Flopping Smart!
Damnit!
Mitch to JA. Hell yeah.
JA delivers there!
Great vision by DM!
On fouls, we got away with one on Tatum’s dunk.
I’m just here clapping and so hyped.. let’s score now
Tower city making insane play after insane play
This game is intense.
Good TO. Catch our breath. Make this a 2 possession game.
LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
HELL YES THIS TEAM.
You can tell the ankle is bothering Mitchell. Tough dude. Hell of a game.
How is that not a foul. JA gets hammered so much.
Great defense. Dodged another bullet!
C’s are stunned. They have no idea what a traveling call is.
DG is a phenom at alley oops. Last was absurd placement
Block party!
Bout time JA.
Holy Toledo —— DG to Michell