Recap: Cavs 103, Toronto 92 (or, if the season was 90 games long…playoffs?)
2013-02-27Well, Milwaukee battles Houston as I type this, with Cleveland potentially moving within 8 games of the playoffs (actually Milwaukee won on a buzzer-beater). I jest, but who thought this four-games-in-five stretch would net three wins? Or what about dual wins on back-to-back nights minus Kyrie? What was the money line in Vegas for that? The Cavs polished off Toronto to move to 15 and 15 in their last 30 games. Thirty games! Five-hundred! This is fun.
We couldn't get Kyrie to start in the All-Star game, but at least Dion earned Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month, right?
The early stretch of the first quarter served as a worst-case scenario. The Raptors sprinted to a 21 to 7 lead. Tristan started 0 for 4, with a charge, while Jonas Valanciunas repeatedly abused Tyler, scoring a couple of times early and man-handling Cleveland’s rookie center for two offensive boards. Toronto stretched a 19 to 2 run, as the Cavs played like a tired team that lacked their best player. But then, in checked the bench unit…their hearts beat as one; their voices fuse into an immutable chorus…they forge 13 – 4 runs at the end of quarters to cut depressing early deficits.
That squad started the second frame, but with Waiters stepping in for Livingston. Dion netted two free throws and assisted Walton and Miles for threes; Speights hit a put-back; Ellington drilled an and-one off a fadeaway post-move; Dion hit a jumper; and finally, a laser pass from Walton to Ellington for a reverse layup. Midway through the quarter, Cleveland leads 40 to 35. As the starters returned, Waiters maintained the momentum, upping his first half tally to 14 points, while TT pitched in four points, two rebounds, and an assist in a handful of minutes. The Wine & Gold carried a 57 to 48 margin to the locker-room.
The second half initially saw Toronto trim the lead to two. DeMar Derozan found twine on four jumpers and seven free throws, while Rudy Gay routinely abused the smaller Alonzo Gee. The Raptor wings posed defensive issues all night, as this duo totaled 58 points. Then, just as things got nerve-racking, Tristan scored six points in three minutes, guiding a seven-to-nothing run…
That the super-subs carried into the fourth quarter. It wasn’t always pretty; Speights missed two dunks…one possession lasted 66 seconds…but after a beautiful Walton / Livingston give & go garnered a filthy reverse-slam, suddenly Cleveland’s lead sat at fifteen, 86 to 71. Alas though, as soon as things got comfortable, Toronto mounted their own surge, cutting the lead to six as the squads entered crunch-time. Fortunately, just like last night, Cleveland comported themselves as the composed, unflappable unit. Walton found Miles for a MONSTER dunk; Waiters drained a huge jumper after Toronto cut the lead to three; Livingston found Gee for an easy slam; and then the show-stopper…a between the legs pass from Walton to Ellington…jumper is good, 99 to 92 Cavs (back to the Wellington?). Cleveland closed on a 10 – 2 run, as grown men cried across Canada.
This was a tough stretch of games: four cities in five nights, two playoff-bound opponents, and the young Cavs finished with three wins and a +32 margin, while missing Kyrie for two games. Things have definitely gotten interesting at the Q.
A few bullets:
- Is there competition for Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month? Dion netted 16 points per game on 57% true shooting with 3 assists and 1 steal. Cleveland won 7 of 12…I would put his February over any rookie in the NBA, really. Waiters finished tonight with 23 points, 6 assists, and 3 turnovers, on 59% true shooting, as he manned the point for the Cavs for significant stretches. He played the entire second and third quarters. Take a day off, young man; the Clippers come to town on Friday.
- An odd season continued for Tristan. For nearly two months, he paced the league in getting his shots blocked. Then, for six weeks, he legitimately played liked an All-Star. Now over the last 8 games, a return to 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 44% true shooting. Early in the third quarter, Tristan made old-reliable, his righty-hook, while Dwane Casey screamed, “No middle, no middle, no middle” at his guys; they didn’t listen. Time for Tristan to head back-to-the-lab and master additional moves and countermoves. As long as he keeps hustling on the boards and busting his ass on D, his future looks rosy. His free throw shooting sits around 66% for the last three months, and certainly this season displayed flashes of a scintillating future. Tonight featured 14 points, 8 rebounds and perfect 6 of 6 foul shooting, bolstering his TS to 51% for the evening.
- Has there ever been a less likely, amazing bench unit? Ellington, Speights and Walton were given to the Cavs as salary-cap fodder. Livingston couldn’t cut it with the Wizards. CJ Miles ventured into free agency and netted a guaranteed $2 million. None of them has played together before this season. And they’re AWESOME…night-in and night-out polishing off their over-matched substitute foes. Heading into tonight, in 291 minutes, Cleveland outscored opponents by 13 points per 100 possessions when Wayne Ellington played. Against Tonroto, he was +18, Walton ended +20, and Miles +11. Walton posted 5 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists; he and Livingston netted 13 assists with one turnover. Ellington offered 13 points on 70% true shooting, and Miles, 10 and 56%. They are wily and smart, move themselves and the ball well, and have been a great surprise.
- Tyler Zeller needs put on a massive HGH program in the summer…I jest…6 points and 2 rebounds tonight.
- It was not a great game for Speights. Eleven points on 3 of 12 shooting, with two missed dunks, and an odd play where he knocked an apparent CJ Miles made-three out of the basket from underneath. He snagged nine boards though, and plays tough. His 12 points per game with the Cavs rank fifth in the Eastern Conference of bench players.
Correct speculation on Zeller. He was drafted last year with the intent to groom as the center of the future….not knowing at the time that as the chips fell they may have a shot at a possibly better center this year. You don’t pass on talent hoping for the future; you take what is available to you. The Zeller trade made sense at the time, and still makes sense today/ I agree with all of the above: if the Cavs take Noel or Len, Zeller (and/or Varejao) would have to be traded. At some point, trading a few of these… Read more »
Cody and JoshV –
I completely agree with you both – I think ultimately Zeller is the odd man out of the five-man Noel/TT/Andy/Speights/Zeller rotation – the problem is what’s his value to the rest of the league?
I argued in the 5 on 5 that the answer is a big trade. We’ll see what happens, though.
Unfortunately, it leaves Zeller as the odd man out. It’s a bummer, but it happens. I think Zeller has potential and can be a quality player, but I’m not sure you pass up on Noel if he’s available. The Cavs are still the worst in the league when it comes to opponents FG%. Not all of that is Zellers fault. But it does have to change.
Mallory: Zeller takes all of Walton’s minutes, and fills in when guys are taking nights off due to injury or fatigue. We’d have a 5 man rotation of TT/Varejao/Speights at 4 and Zeller/Draft Pick/Varejao at 5. Assume TT gets 30 minutes, Varejao gets 25. That leaves you with 41 minutes for the other three, so maybe 15.5 each for Zeller and the new draft pick, and 10 for Speights. Speights might even be able to play in a “big” lineup at the 3 if we want to get him 14-15 minutes or so. If we even still have Speights. If… Read more »
Grover is 100% right. Which is why I’m slightly confused about what the Cavs are going to do if they draft a big man. Right now they have TT, who should be playing 30+ minutes a night next season, and Andy, who, at his current rate of 9 mil a year, should be playing at least 25 off the bench. Throw in a top 10 pick center, and you have ~90 minutes. Where does that leave Zeller? I argue this in our upcoming 5 on 5 (which will be posted soon, I hear!) but I think what ultimately needs to… Read more »
Most of the Lotto Draft tool runs I did had the Cavs landing at 7-8, with Porter going no lower than #6 to either Sacramento or NO. The Cavs really need to be in the top 5 to get either Porter or Noel. That being said, they don’t need to tank to get there; they can package assets to move up a few spots. (Don’t look now, Lakers only 2 GB out of that last playoff spot…) All the talk about drafting a bigger/better SG and bringing Waiters off the bench has to stop. People keep using Harden (OKC version)… Read more »
Even with Noel’s ACL tear the Cavs will probably have to get into the actual lottery (top three) to have a shot at him. Possible, but not likely. Things can change. Noel could fall on draft day when teams have the gun to their head. I highly doubt that Ellington will have any bearing whatsoever on what Grant does on draft day. The only certainty is that the Cavs won’t select a PG with their top pick. If they drafted McLemore or Olapido it would give them a bigger two and move Dion to perhaps his ideal location as a… Read more »
I think this draft should go Noel/Len and then we trade back up and take Robinson III. He’s absurdly athletic, and looks like he’ll be able to play very solid wing D, and can score well when needed, either with spot up shooting or creating. He also looks to have solid rebounding skills, based on highlights I’ve seen. 3 & D is what we have in Ellington, and Miles can get there too if he turns his athleticism into solid defense. I wouldn’t complain if we drafted Porter, but I think the combo of Noel/Len and Robinson III will be… Read more »
I know that not everyone likes the Lebron speculation, but think about this. Say he resigns here, Miami will still owe use their 2015 draft pick from a season without Lebron. Unless Pat Riley tanks out of spite to prevent that from happening.
Chris Grant is a freaking savant when it comes to this stuff.
My first run of the lottery mock has the Cavs with the first pick and taking Noel. Yippy. Other than Noel it’s totally possible the Cavs could have Len or Porter land in their laps at 6 or so. Len could get a lot of easy looks from Kyrie and Waiters and would give the Cavs an intriguing young center rotation. I think Porter could be a solid 3D SF. If Lebron does indeed come back this draft pick he could be part of a sign and trade deal. Grant isn’t just hoarding all these picks for the Cavs to… Read more »
I just don’t see Grant taking a SF unless he really feels there are no good Cs available. Would only complicate things if Lebron does want to sign here next offseason.
Based on a few rolls of the new Lottery Machine, it looks like Chad Ford has our board set at something like: Noel, Len, Porter, Shabazz, Anthony Bennet…
I could get behind the first 3 of those. But if history is a guide, the player we take will be one that’s falling in the 10-15 range on most boards – with interest rising at the last minute. See TT, DW.
Sounds like the Cavs and Casspi are working on a buyout. Maybe he can take Boobie with him?
Rich –
I completely agree. The Walton thing should (and probably does) blow everyone’s mind. That was a stroke of genius. Who seriously could’ve predicted THAT resurgence?
Mallory, you’re missing Bill’s point, he’s not saying Scott is smart for picking these guys for his rotation, he’s saying it was completely unfair to be over critical of him considering what he had to work with before. Especially with four of the team’s core players being rookies or second year guys.
Yea, but Scott DID choose to play Luke Walton, when everyone and their mother would have done differently. NO ONE thought Luke Walton could still play (if he ever could). The fact that Walton being in the rotation is really working out is a mark in Scott’s favor.
Thank you Doctor Witmi…
That aside, Ellington is making himself a ton of money this offseason. His advanced stats on the Cavs are stratospheric. He’s either playing absolutely out of his mind, or it’s very obvious that Memphis did not know what they had with him.
One of us linked to that Grizzlies blog right after the trade and they indicated Ellington was really playing well defensively and starting to find his stroke.
No. No way would you take Lillard over Waiters. Beal? Maybe, but based on what we’ve seen so far, Waiters is far more able to create his own shot.
Bill –
Given the opportunity to play Speights or Samardo, who do you pick? Boobie or Ellington? Livingston or Pargo?
I’m not saying these rotations are bad, and I’m glad Scott has used them, but I think inserting those guys into the lineup, given how bad the bench was, was a total no-brainer.
For now, I’m fine with Scott. As we move on, we’ll get an idea of how good he is at making in-game adjustments.
“I can now say that we got the best player from the 2012 draft. Waiters is absolutely killing it. The only guy you can make an argument for is Davis.”
Apparently you have never seen Damian Lillard play….and I would argue that Brad Beal has come on pretty strong as of late too. I love what Dion has been doing recently but I would not say he is the best player of the draft, at least not yet…
Dave, I agree. The bench didn’t save Scott. No one was banging down the door trying to get Walton, Livingston, Speights, Ellington, and Miles for their second unit. Byron Scott is showing what he can do when given a modicum of talent. Imagine what he’ll be able to do when he’s got a contender-type roster in a couple years.
Thank goodness Mallory or Nate aren’t the Cavs GM or we would’ve fired Byron Scott, skipped on Dion in the draft, and had Omri Casspi playing 35 minutes a night.
If we draft a SF/wing, I suspect Gee will still be the starter at the beginning of the season next year. He will probably be supplanted by mid-season, though.
However, we could go out and sign someone to fill that role, he’ll be on the bench. I doubt that’s the plan, though. It would be fun to see us go after Josh Smith or Paul Millsap, though.
Gee would make for a perfect backup to Lebron.
It’s pretty interesting when you realize that this turnaround basically corresponds to our cutting loose all of the D-league/late second rounder/undrated fodder and replaced them with actual bench players. Think of all the players we sifted through, hoping for a diamond in the rough: Manny Harris, Samardo, Gody, Semih Erden, Donald Sloan, Ryan Hollins, Lester Hudson… All of those names have vanished, replaced by the likes of Ellington, Speights, Miles… and a rejuvenated Walton. The one survivor from the great experiment was Alonzo Gee. Ideally he either takes another step or settles into an eighth man role next year.
W C,
Eighth man role next year for Gee.
I dont know what we would do with Oladipo although I really really like the kid. Gotta draft the best talent avaliable so if hes there i say we get him. But enough draft talk. This team is really something else and I gotta say that I dont think this bench is saving BScotts job. I think Byron is showing how great of a coach he is. The guy made a bunch of C list rotation (and maybe some D list) look like a totally legit second unit. Good things to come man. Cant wait to watch these guys grow… Read more »
Someone commented that the Cavs have a tough finish to their season a few posts back. Of their remaining 24 games, 15 of them are against teams that are currently in the playoffs. 14 of their remaining games are at home. The Bobcats and Magic aren’t budging from the bottom two but the Cavs are a game ahead of the 3rd worst record and two games behind the 9th worst record. Tanking isn’t really necessary, but I still see Cleveland finishing with the 6th worst record.
Speaking of draft info, I believe Chad Ford’s mock draft machine debuts today.
Love seeing a young Cavs team competing on a nightly basis, especially while living in South Florida and hearing the fair weather Heat fans still bashing the city I represent over The Decision. Even more so when the Cavs cover and the same Heat fans have to pay up. That being said- I would really like to see CtB’s take on the upcoming draft- projected draft picks, trading picks, and the most likely prospect to join Kyrie, Tristan, Dion, and (hopefully) TZ to firm up this young talented team. What’s the missing piece(s) that will take this team to title… Read more »
Greg,
This year, there are fun in-season things to talk about. I think serious draft talk will wait until April and May.
ESPN has Victor Oladipo, Otto Porter and Shabazz Muhammad in the 5 – 8 range. Cleveland still probably picks top eight. I would be really happy with Oladipo or Porter.
If Dion does indeed settle into an efficient 20+ point scorer, 4 dimes and a plus defender his selection will be more than justified. That would make him a top 10 SG now and when you consider that Kobe, Wade and Manu are nearing the running on fumes zone he would probably be a top five SG.
Also, Andy really shouldn’t be playing center. He much better suited to PF. Of course, if you make that move, does he come off the bench behind TT? Is Speights the backup C? If so then Tyler is the starter…not sure he’s suited for that. At least not yet.
The Cavs have some decisions to make surrounding Andy.
Don’t jest.
HGH is both good for you and makes you stronger. It’s what he needs and is likely to do.
Unless you go crazy with it HGH+Testosterone is incredibly healthy for males.
It doesn’t matter if Andy starts or comes off the bench, but he should be on some type of a minute cap per game. Maybe 25 a night. The past three years are the first three of his career that he’s averaged over 30 minutes per game and he’s had a season ending injury each season. Including the total games he’ll have missed this season that puts him at playing in 35% of the teams games. That’s Oden-esque. His contract was a bargain when he was playing, but an albatross when you consider how little he actually has played. I… Read more »
Maybe it has nothing to do with it, as I realize some of it has just been bad luck, but Andy seems to be missing a lot more time having become a full time starter. Maybe it extends his career coming off the bench? Just a thought.
“If Andy can be a super sub off the bench next year they could seriously have one of the better benches in the league.”
Don’t mean to be rude, but Cory, why are you moving Andy to the bench, when he plays just fine as a starter?
I can now say that we got the best player from the 2012 draft. Waiters is absolutely killing it. The only guy you can make an argument for is Davis.
Yeah, no need to tank… everyone knows there’s no franchise players in this draft, just like in 2011 ;)
But for real, I’ll be happy with whatever pick. Chris Grant knows how to pick them. We grabbed TT and Dion way earlier than they were projected anyhow. I have a lot of confidence they’ll get the right guy no matter where we are in the top 10
Dion’s per 36 minute numbers in February: 20 points, 4 assists, 1.4 steals on 57% true shooting. Kind of like Tristan from late December through early February, if this is what Dion EVER became, I would be content. It is definitely encouraging to see them string together significant stretches doing it as 21 year olds.
I don’t think we need to tank either, since this is a supposed weak top of the draft and the cavs have a bunch of draft picks over the next couple years they can package some future picks to move up.. The cavs have specific needs, SF, and defensive center, they can target specific players… Porter, Bazz, Noel, Cauley Stein Take a team like the bobcats, they have MKG, Kemba Walker, Gerald Henderson, Byombo? They could really go any direction in the draft other then SF, as could a lot of teams… Phoenix has really no building blocks, Sacramento, Minnesota,… Read more »
I don’t think tanking is really needed in this draft. If we had the crop from 2014 everyone out of the playoffs would be tanking their arses off. This draft should have a decent option for the Cavs no matter where they pick in the top ten. They don’t need a franchise player. They already have one in Irving. The Cavs currently have the 7th worst record but they’re only a game up on the 3rd worst record. It’s pretty close. I still think they’ll finish around with the 6th worst record which still gives you a punchers chance of… Read more »
The Cavs have a pretty hard remaining schedule starting Friday against the Clippers. We’d be lucky to win 8 more games the rest of the way. I was a person who thought we should tank to get a high pick and get the player the Cavs want instead of having to settle, but that will take care of itself with the remaining schedule. For now I’m happy to see the Cavs at least beating the teams they are suppose to beat and building confidence in themselves. Losing sucks and no player wants to lose, so I’m glad this young team… Read more »
Awesome to see this team thriving this way even without KI. Amazing that they were legitimately a play/stop or two away from having a 6 game winning streak right now (they were in the SA and MIA games until the very end and those are probably the odds on favorites for finals matchup). The only thing I like better than lottery picks is rapid growth of former lottery picks. I hear what you’re saying Alex, but I’ll take the experience of winning any day. Hope KI’s knee isn’t too serious. Be nice to see him healthy enough to face off… Read more »
This is the problem with the people who want THIS team to lose. If this team were still losing, it would mean one of two things: 1)Players were getting injured or 2)The young guys weren’t very good. Do either of these things sound good?
Tom thank you, It does make me feel better. Much appreciated.
alex – this is from Chad Ford’s chat today. Might make you feel better. Rian (NYC) I was looking at your updated big board this morning and I noticed that there are a lot of pretty good players all the way through your top 30. Everyone talks about how bad this draft is at the top with no star, but if I can get a Withey, Franklin, or Mitchell near the end of the 1st round that is a pretty solid draft. And size wise you have a lot of 7 footers all throughout the first round. Maybe a little… Read more »
This right here: “Has there ever been a less likely, amazing bench unit? Ellington, Speights and Walton were given to the Cavs as salary-cap fodder. Livingston couldn’t cut it with the Wizards. CJ Miles ventured into free agency and netted a guaranteed $2 million. None of them has played together before this season. And they’re AWESOME…night-in and night-out polishing off their over-matched substitute foes.” I reckon they’ve saved Byron Scott’s job. I can’t express in words how much of a joy it is to watch Livingston throw down that reverse dunk. His head could have hit the rim. I don’t… Read more »
Please tank! Should be a top 3 pick, now we are a tied for 4-10 ….. Great….
Walton’s passes were brilliant; Livingston was brilliant; Ellington is outstanding.
Why would any team give up players like these?
Salary cap can be thanked for making the Cavaliers a team anyone should respect.
Walton may be playing the best ball of his career.
Byron Scott and assistants have done a great job integrating the new players into the team.
Cavs start terribly many games as you’d expect with a very young team.
Then the players and coaches adjust and the Cavs get tough.
And they finish strongly.
Chris Grant has done an incredible job assembling this talent.
How bout that lefty half-court pass Dion threw to (Gee?)?