Live Thread: Cavs Vs Bucks
2014-12-02
The Bucks come into Cleveland tonight looking to bounce back after a 14 point loss to the Rockets. The Cavs need to continue their three game win streak and display above average defense against this young group. Milwaukee has been a surprise this season defending their way to 10 wins to earn the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference; they are allowing just 98.3 points a game, which is good for tenth in the league right now. They also rake up turnovers with their lankiness; teams are tossing it away 15.7 times a game against the Deer, that’s a top five number.
The Bucks offense is driven by Jabari Parker (a rookie), Giannis Antetokounmpo (the Greek Freak), and Brandon Knight (someone Kyrie Irving consistently owns). If the Deer are going to beat the Cavs, it will be by scoring on turnovers and scoring off of second chances. It won’t be with isolation offense. I admit Parker is good, but he is going to get a true welcome to the league when LeBron James and Shawn Marion cover him during this game. The King might want to humble him.
This game will showcase a young team that Jason Kidd has helped play to their highest level taking on a Cleveland team playing way below their top level. Fortunately, even the Cavs’ lowest level of play is pretty dang good, and they should be able to beat the Bucks easily if they play serviceable defense. Offensively, the Cavs may be slowed by the length the Deer have, but they should be able to pick apart a defense that thrives on denying paint points with their shooting.
I’m picking the Cavs to win this one, 111-94.
Also, Anderson Varejao is most likely back for this game according to Rotoworld.com.
Finally, I told you so! People ragged on me for saying the Bucks might be sneaky good in my Central Division preview, but it looks like my prediction was correct.
The Cavs are 9-7. Settle down. They’ll figure out the bench by Feb. I’m not on the Cols level of positivity but the total hate flying around when they are down a few points 16 games into the season is stupid. I like the calls to bench Lebron. Last year Dec 3, his 3rd season with Miami, Lebron had 6 turnovers. He’ll have bad games.
this was a tough win—but a good win—-you need to find ways to win ” ugly ” sometimes—-this bucks team is a yr older/ sanders is healthy / added parker and kidd—-progress should be there( also had a somewhat weak schedule to start—see if they can maintain over the entire season——–with miller’s play last night and dell’s return dion’s minutes might drop even more ( putting him more into a funk )—I would like to hope that he is just a few good games away ( 3–4 ) from regaining his confidence / swagger—–the bench still remains a BIG CONCERN—–
Aside from adding Jabari, this is basically the same team that went 15-67 last year. The only other major addition/difference is Jason Kidd. Is he just that much better of a coach and can get more out of these guys, or are people just going a little overboard with the Bucks love today? Don’t get me wrong, they are scrappy, athletic and energetic, but solid 5 or 6 seed? They’ve played well so far, but hard to believe they’ll make the playoffs, even in the weak EC.
They’re also a young team too with an extra years growth. That can make a major difference
I think the b if is easily make the east playoffs this year, no. Red to wait a couple. They play really solid defense. We won this game on Kyrie’s u real accuracy and Mike Miller’s flat out old man hustle. It was a better win than the Indiana game. The bucks are a solid 5 or 6 seed.
Miller was huge in the final minutes. Big block and big shots. Jabari looks great for a rookie. The Bucks are going to be a team to be reckoned with in a couple of years — yikes.
Loved the lob from LeBron to TT in crunch time. Wow!
That was a tough win, but a W all the same. Good Times!
Can someone explain to a guy in the middle law school finals crunch mode, what the hell is happening to Dion Waiters? Is it an attitude thing?
Bench scoring is awful and he seems to be getting less playing time. What’s happening here? Too much talent to get 9 minutes tonight, unless his attitude is just god awful.
I’d rather he take 15 shots off the bench with the second team than get 9 minutes when nobody else on the bench can score.
Also, maybe Dion needs to start instead of Marion. Even if they take him out 5 minutes into the quarter and plays with the second team the rest of the game. Marion should not be starting.
I LOVE ME SOME DION, and he honestly just looks terrible. Its not an attitude thing. He is working hard on D. He is just missing all of his jumpers and looking very tentative in his drives. I think its a mental thing at this stage – zero confidence.
Delly will probably start instead of Matrix when he’s healthy (maybe as soon as Thursday). Dion should just concentrate on defensive energy and shot selection. He’ll come around. It’s still early yet.
I always look for Dion on the bench when the tv cuts to it. I never see him. I see the bench excited, clapping, happy, laughing, getting along. I never see Dion to even know if he is also doing part of this crowd. Either he sits by himself at the very end or he is too short and the taller players are seen over him. During timeouts, I see bench players come out to the court to give high fives and hugs affter good plays. Again, I never see Dion doing this. Tonight, I actually ended up seeing him… Read more »
Didn’t catch but a minute tonight. Saw the LeBron blown transition layup art the end of the half. Enjoyed the commentary by you guys .
The little bit I saw of Jabari Parker was impressive.
How many potential fast breaks have become turnovers from Shawn Marion bone headed outlets this season?
Tom, you definitely need to catch the replay of Mike Miller’s epic block on the Greek Freak. Also, KLove’s corner three in the mid-fourth was sweet.
Hey Cols, direct quote from Blatt “this was not a good game for us tonight”
See, negativity doesn’t = panic
I don’t think Blatt was commenting at CtB. He’s the coach and needs to never be happy. Us fans on the other hand should probably not panic every time we are losing in a game.
Here’s the definition of Panic since you keep misusing it:
panic
[pan-ik]
noun
1.
a sudden overwhelming fear, with or without cause, that produces hysterical or irrational behavior, and that often spreads quickly through a group of persons or animals.
There is no fear here, overwhelming or otherwise. No irrational behavior (other than your unflinching optimism). There is sometimes concern, disappointment, annoyance which leads to criticism that is often deserved.
Blatt cracking me up with his post-game comments. Holding court with the media and giving guys sh*t in a good humored way. Liking his demeanor right now
He is so entertaining how he gives them sh&*.
Yes, Blatt’s post game conferences are great. The guy knows the game, knows the league and is very impressive, especially for this being his first year in the NBA. Tonight I think he lied a bit about why Mike Miller hadn’t been playing and why he played in this game but I can look past that because he was just sticking up for his players and his team. (He said something about Miller got in because the team needed a spark when in actuality, he got in because Marion was bleeding and needed subbed out. Then Miller hit his first… Read more »
On a separate note, man I didn’t think the Pistons would be this bad this year. Lakers just made them their fourth victim. Ron Jeremy on the hot seat?
And Kobe had a triple double. 12 points, 13 assists and 10 turnovers.
I know. Yikes, I saw that. He also took a season low 11 shots too.
EVIL DITTO ON YOUR COMMENTS —NEED TO GET SOMETHING FROM HIM MAYBE THIS MIGHT BE THE START
Wasn’t able to see the game. Was Dion as bad as his box score looks? 0 points, 1 assist, 9 minutes.
He really didn’t play in the second half. Blatt gave MM his minutes and MM responded tonight.
And the big three played loads of minutes too. Well, it’s good that Miller played well at least. Only Thompson and Miller played significant time off the bench. Still happy for the win.
He got early fouls as well. Seems to be in Blatt’s doghouse at the moment.
Dion has kinda overpassed the ball too much these last couple of games, Blatt came out publically 2 games ago and has said Dion is a shooter that is what he is. He said he doesn’t mind him missing shots. But he wants intensity on both sides of the floor always. Tonight he passed the ball 9 times and only took 1 shot at the basket. He gave good effort on defense but was not that aggressive on offense. Blatt needed scorers(like Dion & Miller) to shoot and make some shots. Dion didn’t do that in the 1st half so… Read more »
Also nice to see Mike Miller finally make some meaningful contributions. Hit a couple of threes, got some good boards and had one pretty amazing block (as far as Mike Miller blocks go). Hope he continues to trend upward from here. Cavs need him to have more games like this.
Nice to see Cavs play some better D at the end to get control of the game. Still too close, and hope they learn to flip the switch earlier in games like this. The worst thing they can do is give scrappy, mediocre teams like Milwaukee early hope in these games. Better to put the hurt on them early and crush their spirits. Glad they got the win though
NO NO NO!! NOT LEBRON!! just give the ball to kyrie to close out the game.
Holy cow! We are going to win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I didn’t think that was possible.
Maybe people will learn not to panic when we are down a bit.
Again… negativity does not = panic.
I call it like I see it. I watch the games and root for the Cavs. I don’t blindly believe they will win every game. I praise them when they’re good and criticize when they are bad.
People can point out how poorly the ball is moving. Kyrie is putting up majestic numbers this season, but leBron won’t even pass him the ball. It’s ridiculous.
Kyrie is having an incredible season. His ppg might be the same as last year, but this year come with ease, very efficient.
Trust me, I know. Kyrie is on my fantasy team and I play Cols this week, so the more he scores the better. I’m sure Cols will accuse me of panicking about it though anyway ;)
Wait? We are winning now?!!!! How can that be.? I read these comments and thought we were not even close.
I have no bias Cols. I root for the good and the bad. I recognize it and am realistic about it. Sorry you’re too narrow minded to get that.
Now THAT was a good series of plays! Keep it up Cavs
Kevin with some good D on that play
Wow! Mike Miller blocked a shot! I just choked on my Coke Zero
KEVIN!!!! Great shot!
Come on Cavs! Play smart, take care of the ball, D up and let’s get this win!
The Bucks are actually good. Their game is pushing the ball, o-boards, and making turnovers. Nothing fancy on offense, but it clearly works.
Kyrie can’t expect the foul call there. Got to be smarter
Miller is killing this team. He’s got to get his shot back
nah, lebron is klling this team. and blatt too for playing him
C’mon, it’s LeBron. Blatt would get murdered for sitting him.
Andy beasting on D right now. Great to see!
And now tied. I thought we were getting killed.
They were. They’ve played some better defense (especially Andy), but they still don’t look particularly good against a mediocre team at home.
with the way LBJ is playing, Blatt should bench him
please just bench lebron and let him try again next game. when he brings his spaced-out lazy attitude, he does more harm than good. also, bench cols. him too
He looks more tired than anything. Even on that fast break he seemed to just let the defender catch up and foul him. Hope he can bring more energy in the fourth.
i hope we are not trying to get Miami record of 9-8 the first time the Big 3 was formed before the team get its act together. we cant go on a run, lose, then start again.
This comment board is depressing. Reading it, you’d think the Cavs were losing by 20. Yeesh. Haven’t we learned anything about not panicking?
You’re constant pollyanna views are depressing Cols. WATCH THE DAMN GAME and tell me you see something worth being positive about right now.
Easy. I’m watching a Cavs team with Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving, Leb James, a revived Thompson, Shawn Marion and Mike Miller.
Last year I was watching a team coached by maybe the worst coach in the entire NBA that had Andrew Bynum (scrub), CJ miles (scrub), Alonzo Gee (scrub), etc. with expectations that Thompson was going to have to shoot 15 footers (gag!1!).
This is so much better.
let Cols be. keep your eye on the team, i like the passion you bring to this team @Evil. just lets Cols be.
I just find it offensive that Cols equates negativity to panic. I’m not panicked, I’m annoyed and disappointed that this awesome collection of players that he is extolling is getting outplayed at home by a mediocre Bucks team.
This is the BUCKS. Cavs are at HOME. Cavs look like GARBAGE. Seriously, what kind of drugs are you on???
And we are down 2 points. Yet, by reading thses comments you’d think we were getting destroyed.
Being down at home to the Bucks by any amount of points is the equivalent of being destroyed by an actual good team.
Not true at all. I’m sure they play harder when facing better competition. You can’t play your hardest every night in the regular season without burning out. Unless you are Michael Jordan of course.
Given all of their talent, they should be either comfortably leading or blowing out teams like the Bucks. Most good teams with championship aspirations do anyway…
Cavs playing the “stand around and hope KLove scores inside” offense right now.
Late rotations. Lazy defense. Just no energy for the Cavs coming out in the second half on D. Ugh
Nice acting job Mayo you douchebag
we losing this game
If they keep playing like this they are
Interior D just awful. Cavs not getting back. Making the Bucks look like a WC team
Too many second chance opportunities for Bucks
The bench scoring graphic at the half has gotten to be a pretty sickening stat
Got to cut down on the turnovers in second half. Cavs definitely underestimating the athleticism of the Bucks.
Cavs tried to move the ball too much in the second quarter. It just wasn’t working. Their success came attacking the basket. Defensively, the team got scared of the Bucks offensive rebounding and short changed their close outs.
On the bright side Kevin Love has 20.
Our bench blows! LeBron looks like he’s half trying again. Ugh!!!
Not to take anything away from the Bucks. the starting 5 in the second quarter for cavs played poorly. gave the bucks reason to believe and attack the basket
Cavs look good so far. If Leb was playing even partway average this would be a blowout.
lebron playing really sloppy… 3 on 1 fast break at end of 2nd quarter, instead of passing to either open guy he took it himself and missed which led to a turnover. ugly
too much turnovers
And brick city James showed up tonight.
Love Matrix’s energy tonight so far
Bucks being aggressive. Cavs in bonus early. Always a good thing
Should be a fast paced game tonight