Live Thread: Cavs at Nets
2015-03-27
Let’s hope Mozzy can still run after killing all those Brew Burgers.
The Nets host the streaking Cavaliers Friday night sitting only a half game out of the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference. The NBA’s Sweet Sixteen might not be the same accomplishment as it is in NCAA ball, but Brooklyn would certainly feel better about themselves if they were to squeeze into the playoff picture. The Nets have been a particularly boring bunch this season, falling victim to injury and general comatose. Any team that relies too much on Deron Williams’ legs and the venerable Jarrett Jack is probably not going to strike fear into hearts around the league.
Still, with no high draft picks coming until the the end of this decade, the Nets would rather taste a first round sweep than vacation early. Brook Lopez is currently heading the Brooklyn charge. In the four games since the Cavaliers handed Brooklyn a twenty-five point loss, Lopez has averaged a gaudy 30.8 PPG, to go along with three and a half blocks per contest. His recent play is reminding the NBA how valuable a healthy Brook Lopez can be. There is a strong chance he will test the free agent market this summer if the bigman can finish out the remainder of the season in one piece. With Thaddeus Young out with a left knee strain, Deron Williams and Joe Johnson will look to help Lopez out on the offensive end.
In more entertaining news, the Wine and Gold come off their most impressive victory of the season. After completely dismantling a very strong Memphis team, Cleveland will try to win their fifth straight and nine of the last ten. The Cavaliers have done more than pass their difficult slate of games. They have played their best ball of the season. If the Cavs’ offense continues to whip the rock around the court like it has in recent games, the Nets will be at Cleveland’s mercy. Add in the much improved Cavalier defense, and it is hard to envision a victory for the home team.
It will be interesting to see how David Blatt defends Lopez in the post. Kevin Love did a decent job of limiting Marc Gasol without too much help. Timofey Mozgov treated Zach Randolph like a dinner served away from the Brew Garden. Z-Bo may have been swatted to the window. Sound off.
just a thought if cavs were to drop to 3rd seed —-at present standings they would play the bucks
Punked by Brooklyn. Im so happy. I hate this team.
I’m trying but I can’t make myself care about this game. We can go .500 against mostly crap eastern conf. teams and still easily have the 2 seed. Not sure what its doing mentally to the team, but hopefully they enjoy good basketball enough to beat up the crappy teams. No use getting used to losing now.
That was one of the most boring games of the year. Blatt should’ve given LeBron the night off. The officiating was a joke tonight too.
He shoulda given somebody the night off… oh wait… he sorta did with Moz
Yeah I don’t get consistently not playing Moz in the fourth?
Get some oxygen. You can only play five guys at a time. I think “Bigger early, faster late” is a pretty good plan.
is perkins really going to help us in the playoffs ?—–where is the matrix —-is he still hurt —-he needs some quality minutes before playoff start
Definitely agree on Matrix. They have to work him back in. His versatility could be key in avoiding matchup problems and creating them for the other team.
Jesus, can we please play Mozgov in the 4th quarter ever? We’re getting abused by Lopez and somehow we don’t notice the 7 footer on our bench?
My only concern with the Cavs is that they don’t seem to be where they need to be defensively. They can’t get defensive stops consistently the championship teams do.
Offense is great but defense wins championships.
Nets bench finishes with a 54-20 margin over Cavs bench… were +44 to Cavs bench -49… Conclusion… our bench is not very good…
AC railing about the small lineup…
are the cavs hoping possibly that Brooklyn might overtake the heat for the 7th spot and be their 1st round opponent —–no more commercials/ food / liz for the moz until the season is over
Interesting take… although I’d imagine if that were really the case, they would have rested somebody tonight…
Well, that was disappointing. ‘Night everybody.
Is this the first time KLove has fouled out this year?
Yes — and just the second time in his career.
I think this should (along with the ATL win over Miami) officially clinch the best record in the EC for the Hawks… not that it was really in doubt at this point…
Blatt stubbornly going to probably keep the starters in…
In other news… Nerlens Noel had 30 points and 14 boards tonight… How long before Hinkie trades him now?
Soon as he can I’m guessing. The bank of Philadelphia is going to be open again this summer.
The Nets needed it more and the Cavs just let them in the game for too long. But this is one of the games that fall in the category of “can’t win them all”.
Or… “can’t win if you don’t really try…”
Lol that too. But to be honest they are human and they didn’t had this one marked down as they had the last one against the Grizzlies.
Shocking! Nets finally called for a block… Joey’s crew must have hit their quota…
Blatt’s T from earlier pays off, as another possible LeBron charge is called on the Nets this time.
Moz with only 17 minutes of run tonight… the Brew Garden will not be happy…
Blatt should empty bench at this point…
10 pts in 90 seconds doesn’t really seem worth the effort at this point. I’m not even sure Cavs are capable of giving that effort tonight…
Nets bench outscoring Cavs bench 51-20… yikes…
Ultimately, this game doesn’t really make a difference in the long run, but don’t like seeing regression this time of year.
5 fouls on Love. How often does that happen?
He’s been on Lopez all quarter and Lopez has had the size advantage all night. Love has been making up for it by being extra physical, Brooklyn refs are calling everything tonight.
Three words… Joey Crawford crew…
Bet we see guys resting on Sunday against the Sixers…
Starting to feel like a loss…
After that deep Joe Johnson 3, I agree.
Down 7, 3:27 left. Time to play hard now?
Playing hard wont make up for the fact the Cavs have been playing a losing mismatch of size the entire 4th quarter. I’m convinced they’re saving Moz for the playoffs. Don’t risk injury during these games.
Why isn’t the center in the game?!?!
Sorry, but the refs have money on this game. I’m certain. These calls late are pathetic. Unbelievable.
Cavs just played too lax for too long in this one…
Lopez’s head looks like pubic hair…
What an AWFUL moving screen call on Love. They do that every time, why call it now?
Brooklyn’s getting every call tonight. Happens to the Cavs a lot.
Joey Crawford strikes again!
Freaking Bro-Lo…
Shoot… the… glaaasss Kyrie!
Irving tough drive and bank. Cavs down 3.
Don’t know where the foul was on LBJ
KLove is back!
Love sighting! Thanks, David.
That replay of the chase down block reminded me of 2008.
Damn, lebron looked pissed there walking toward the bench. You know he wants Moz and Kev in the damn game!
I hope he’s telling Blatt to put Love in the damn game. This is just idiotic.
Damon’s Jones is looking round. Yes, name spelled that way on purpose.
There it is, Blatt waited a bit long but Love’s back in. Still would prefer Mozzy over TT right now.
Isn’t looking like the Cavs are going to pull this one out. Lineup is LBJ, Shump, JR SWISH, KI, and TT…. Woah… super small
Bron was really mad that Bogdanovich scored that time…
TAKE JONES OUT OF THE FREAKIN’ GAME, BLATT.
He’s providing NOTHING. Meanwhile, Love and his 18 points on 11 shots is on the bench. For the entire 4th. Again.
I agree… matchup smatchup… put KLove in now please Dave…
JR SWISH!!
Cavs are struggling to score. JR to the rescue with a 3! Only their second hoop of the quarter, halfway through.
Irving misses a layup! He just flat missed it, right at the rim, uncontested.
He did not do what Hans told him and “shoot the glass…”
How was that a foul on JFJ??
Jones clearly ineffective right now so it’s time to take him out…
Yeah, would be nice to see Blatt go back to KLove right about now…
Love having too good of a game for Blatt to do such a daring move. This is ridiculous.
I don’t want JFJ in right now. Hopefully Blatt brings Love back in.
LeBron in his office…
This is a really small lineup the Cavs have in right now…
Too bad we still don’t have a j price to put in to go even smaller. Or Donald Sloan from way back.
Will Cherry lester Hudson
I miss the games when I was hoping one of those guys would go nba jam. That was about all those seasons offered when it was clear someone wanted to take shots just to chuck it.
The nets might blow up this team next year. For the price they are paying their return on investment is brutal.
It’ll be interesting to see if they’ll be able to hang on to Brooke Lopez
They’d be better off letting him walk and going for tank mode for 3-4 years.
Yeah he will get a huge offer from the lakers I bet.
You mean after they make offer to KLove (and hopefully fail)?
I heard that they were trying to get a max for 2 more players. So call it love and Lopez.
They can’t afford that with the Kobe contract still on the books…
They were shopping him earlier in the year…
Oh man, I didn’t remember hearing that.
But they don’t have draft picks to rebuild until next decade. They really pushed the Stepien rule to the limit. The trade they made with the Celtics was like the Herschel Walker trade in the NFL.
Drove Prokorhov to sell the team…
Another one for Joey’s new reality show, “Crawford’s Curiosities.”
Joey Crawford sucks… I really hope he doesn’t get to officiate any Cav playoff games…
This game isn’t even fun to watch. We clearly don’t care about this game.
I hope the intensity picks up in the 4th.
Yeah. When does the 4th start, anyway?
We’d have a better chance with LeBron on the bench. Tired of the iso fadeaways.
Just Bron being Bron… showing off to the Brooklyn crowd…
Joey B’s favorite play… the long dribble to finish the quarter…
At least it ended in a TT oop slam…
Oh man, I missed it.
Earl Clark’s turn to go scrub-fuego…
LeBron gets the soccer assist — ball goes off his foot to Irving, who makes a 3.