Recap: Cavs 99, Jazz 79 (or, the time Kyrie controlled everything)
2014-02-28
Utah heads to Cleveland, and the Cavs bench keeps looking more and more sparse. Tonight Anthony Bennett sits with a sore right knee. There is still no sign of Andy, Dion or Miles. All three could play Sunday, or may never play again; both things seem like possibilities.
The game started miserably for the Cavs, as midway through the first quarter, the Jazz mounted a 13 to 6 lead. The Jazz announcers take on the situation was, “the Cavs don’t really run an offense, they just put the ball in their guards’ hands and run pick & rolls.” Apparently, those guys read the scouting report. Alternatively, the Jazz were pick and rolling the Cavs to death. to go along with an onslaught of Gordon Hayward bombs. At it’s worst, Utah lead 21 – 12, as the offense looked lethargic, moseying to one 24-second violation, and mustering a few other desperation bombs. Kyrie and Jack combined for 1 of 9 shooting, as Gordon Hayward tallied 9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal. Utah canned 6 of 7 from deep, as they took a 27 to 20 lead after one quarter.
Behind a Twin Towers frontline of Tyler Zeller and Spencer Hawes, things began looking up early in the second. T-Zell scored off an offensive rebound and a Kyrie pick and roll, as Irving dished six early assists. Dellavedova hit a three in transition, and the Cavs tied the game at 31 with 8:35 to go. Hawes and Zeller combined for 12 points and 11 rebounds through the first sixteen minutes. Unfortunately Delly could not hit wide open three pointers; he missed three of those, as the action got really ugly. The teams combined for seven points in five minutes, with the Jazz leading 36 to 35 with 3:00 to go. The squads heated up a bit over the last few minutes, including a Deng runner for his tenth points of the half, as the Jazz led 41 to 39 at the break. Cleveland shot a meager 38% from field, subsiding on mid-range jumpers. Of their 47 field goal attempts, only eight were from three point range, and they managed only four free throws. Not very pretty, but Kyrie had six assists, and the Twin Towers totaled 12 and 15.
Early in the third, Utah kept making the extra pass, at one point converting 10 of their 15 shots from deep. Luckily, the Cavs offense started clicking. Kyrie teed up assists 7, 8, and 9 in first couple minutes, including on a nice Tristan transition dunk. The team was moving the ball well, making the Jazz scramble, and opening up the paint. And Kyrie Irving just kept happening. First, a jumper off an inbounds play, next a driving layup, then a deeeeep three. That’s 9 points and 3 assists in six minutes of the quarter, as the Cavs mount a 58 to 50 lead. Later, off another Kyrie drive, Tristan snagged an offensive board for a putback, as the Wine & Gold pushed the margin to twelve; TT had 10 & 9. The Jazz kept fighting, but Cleveland’s defense clamped down. Alonzo Gee hit a buzzer beater from the corner, and the Cavs headed to the fourth ahead 69 to 60.
The final frame started again with the Twin Towers of Spencer Hawes and Tyler Zeller. A sweet Zeller dime to Kyrie netted a layup, then an amazing one-handed grab by Irving netted transition free throws. Things were fun. Life was good. Kyrie Irving looked like everything Cavs fans ever wanted him to be. He was in complete control of the flow and pace of the game. An assist to Hawes for a three staked Cleveland to a 76 to 60 lead with 10 minutes to go. Kyrie had 21 points, 11 assists and 9 boards with 8 minutes to go. How many assists and boards was that? That’s right, one short of a triple-double! I sort of lost focus, primarily basking in the glow of, “Yes! Kyrie Irving owns this game!”
With four minutes left, Kyrie grabbed rebound number ten, securing the triple-double, a first for Cleveland since Lebron left. He also totaled 12 assists, tying his career high. The Cavs led 91 to 70 as Irving headed to the bench with his 21, 10 and 12, his final rebound punctuating a 41 to 19 Cavalier run.
This was a great win. Probably their second best of the season, only trailing their most recent victory over Oklahoma City. Kyrie looked like a superstar. Tristan played effectively within the offense. He finished with 18 & 14, scoring on rebounds, pick & rolls, and quick dives for floaters at the basket. Hawes offered 13 & 16 and Zeller 10 & 9. Luol Deng scored 16 points on 12 shots.
What’s next? Playoffs!?!? 3-win March?!?! I don’t know, but this weekend, we celebrate!! 8 wins in 11 games!! The Cavs shot 61% in the second half tonight!! They out rebounded the Jazz 56 to 31!! 28 assists and 10 turnovers!! 43 point fourth quarter against Oklahoma City!! All-Star MVP!! Triple Double!! Tristan Thompson is a double-double machine!! Spencer Hawes is a real American hero!! Tyler Zeller keeps on Zelling!! Sergey Karasev played!!
Go Cavs!!!
Update: After last night, the Cavs are ninth in the East. They are 3.5 games out of the 8th spot, but Atlanta who currently holds that, has won one of their last ten games.
Also, the Cavs have won 44% of their games against the Western Conference and 38% against the East. I haven’t checked, but that may be the largest such disparity in the League.
Hopefully, Brown will let Kyrie run the second unit more and have Dion come in early. Then we can have him come about for a few before the half so Kyrie and him don’t overlap so much. Five to nine minutes from Jack and Matty D would be perfect cause it would give Dion time with both units. Jack and Matty D kill us with all the missed wide threes. Soon enough teams aren’t going to respect them and just start doubling Irving at the top.
I’m in love with the “Twin Towers” idea. “Oh Happy Day” … Glad Brown seen the light on that one. He’s seems to be adjusting his rotations better accordingly on how they are playing in the moment. Often you wouldn’t see a needed adjustment until the next game and yeah I’m talking specifically about Jack. Granted he had a terrific game against OKC; it didn’t carry over into this game. After Jack bricked 4 airballs, made 3 ugly passes and ect.. in the first half, Brown didn’t fart around & he yanked him quickly. Less Jack minutes did pay off… Read more »
Love the Ivory Towers! It bugs me that there is so little creativity in nicknames. After Boston’s bunch was dubbed The Big Three, no one could come up with a different idea for LeBron/Wade/Bosh (I still like The Superfriends).
korey —nice !—-you get the “quote/ blog ” of the day—-or ” white oreo deluxe ” —–o.k. cavs fans the contest is on what is the nickname for these 2
They can makes the playoffs since Atlanta is dropping like crazy.
If we are going to call Hawes and Zeller “twin towers” can we call them the “Ivory Towers” instead?
“The Jazz announcers take on the situation was, ‘the Cavs don’t really run an offense, they just put the ball in their guards’ hands and run pick & rolls.’ Apparently, those guys read the scouting report.”…or just watched consecutive Cavs possessions,, more likely. It’s fun(ny) to watch a televised game outside the Cleveland market, if only to see at what in the game an analyst will wonder at the simplicity of the Cavs’ offense. They’re almost thinking, “Can you win consistently like this?” The answer often comes by game’s end… I have adopted a “this team will end up picking… Read more »
believeland–it is enjoyable to watch when they play like that——interesting w hen the “twin towers ” hawes / zeller are in there ( I realize can’t play entire game with this ) but it does present match up problems—-still can’t wait until the entire cast is back and see what potential is there—could be something very special to watch—–KEEP THE MOTOR REVVED UP CAVS !!!!
this game played nearly identical to last jazz game..tight close in first half and then cavs ran away in 2nd half with strong 3rd quarter…kyrie played a great game as he should…and while people are excited this should be expected especially if the thinks he’s a superstar. its too bad this team effed around with the raps and wizards games cuz had we won at least 2 of those we’d be game out of playoffs….march will be huge month…i think if we at least get waiters and cj back we’ll be alright…varajao has been out so long and haws has… Read more »
Interesting potential first round playoff matchup between the Cavs and Heat is in play. Hawks are in free fall mode and they a five game West Coast road trip the next week and a half. I’m starting to believe that getting the 8 seed is gonna happen. Miami is finding their stride and they have an easier close to the season than Indy. Both teams also play one another twice. Miami/Cleveland in the first round could actually happen.
Fair enough but you mentioned Dion getting “some of JJ’s end of game minutes.” That is what I object to, as Dion should get all of JJ’s end of game minutes!
One can’t help but wonder how the wounded guys will re-acclimate to the current team. I, for one, am excited to see Dion and Hawes get some floor time together.
Irving, Jack, Delly and probably Gee willnlose minutes when Dion gets back but in my opinon Irving loses the most. He played 39 of the first 44 tonight. He played 43 against the thunder and 45 against the raptors. Jack loses some and Delly loses the least imo. Gee loses his when miles comes back and Delly will lose some then too.
KJ, not saying Jack has necessarily played well. We have just worked really well in 1st qutrs with him in the starting lineup. he’s a competent ball handler who has the ability to handle that load and get Kyrie going…he can penetrate whenever he wants even though he doesn’t often seem to know what to do after he gets there…something about it works better than with Dion in the starting lineup. By the time Dion comes into the game, Kyrie has warmed up and felt a few things out, and can allow Dion to begin that process. Honestly, it just… Read more »
Gee and Delly should lose minutes when Dion comes back. Love Delly but all these missed 3s are hurting us.
Kyrie looked like a max player tonight. Not just a guy who is going to get a max contract.
Scotch, you Jack’s agent or something? Jack did, well…jack tonight! Couldn’t hit a shot after his season-best scoring game against the Thunder. Dion is your 2 or 3rd best player! He can take all of Jack’s minutes as far as I am concerned…
Man, we almost had 3 of our bigs with double-doubles! If Andy comes back will there be any rebounds to be had??
They beat a bad team shorthanded. Every game matter from here on out. It’s a bummer that they pissed away so many winnable games early in the year from a lack of effort, but perhaps that’s part of the maturation process for a young team. It’s probably going to take another triple double from Kyrie along with Deng or Hawks showing up big to beat Memphis on Sunday. Little things I’ve noticed during the winning streak. Kyrie and Dion sitting next to one another on the bench. It’s a small thing, but I don’t recall them sitting next to one… Read more »
Hadn’t thought about Gee. He has made some shots lately, but he still plays almost invisible to me. He doesn’t rebound as well as he should (he can jump out the building, for one). I agree he’s a good defender by comparison, but we’ve got to be able to keep JJ in the starting lineup I think. That has worked out so well to start games. Therefore…i guess you’re right. Dion plays Gee’s minutes and maybe some of JJ’s end of game minutes.
Holy Moly! Some fantastic dimes by Kyrie tonight. I felt like the game was in control for the entire second half. Hidden in there was a big time drive by Tristan, pesky defense by Delly, and strong rebounding all night. Zeller is so much better than last year. What a fun game!
Scotch, I actually think that Dion will cut into Gee’s minutes even though Gee is one of our best perimeter defenders. Delly and Dion had some good chemistry going before Dion went out; I don’t believe Dion’s return will be too much of an issue. Interested in seeing how the minutes will stack up for the bench though once everyone is back. With Hawes playing so well and providing some much needed spacing, I feel as though Zeller or AB will get the hit once Andy is back. Shame to see because both young fellas are continuing to develop and… Read more »
Depends if Dion needs to ease his way back in or not. If he’s rarin’ to go, he’ll likely pull minutes from both JJ & MD. Now if CJ is also back (and AB for that matter) something’s got to give. Of course, they may need to rest Deng more (how is his Achilles looking, for those who watched?)
Cavs learning to play with current lineups…could be tough to fit Dion…does he get jack’s extra minutes or superdova’s? I kind of really like the twin towers lineup. Rebounding is almost unfair.
Hawes has been boarding like a demon.