Recap: Toronto 103, Cleveland 99 (or, That Point Guard is Ripped)
2015-11-25
The Cleveland Cavaliers sailed to the North feeling confident, if not completely well. Though Mo Williams returned to game action, Matthew Dellavedova joined starters Timofey Mozgov, Iman Shumpert and Kyrie Irving on the fashion bench. Without the Cavs defensive studs and All-Star PG, David Blatt was left to experiment with a different rotation. Dwayne Casey had his all everything point guard, Kyle Lowry, but was also down his giant foreign center. Well, one of them anyway. Let’s get to it.
1st Quarter:
With Delly out and Mo Williams freshly activated after a three game absence, David Blatt chose to start Jared Cunningham at the point. LeBron and Love continue to be the only full-time starters in the early part of this season without the injury bug. Love’s presence on the post opened up an easy cut for the game’s first points, as LeBron found TT in the lane.
Bismack Biyombo started for the injured Jonas Valanciunas at center, but the real story of the first quarter for the Raptors’ front court was Luis Scola. The veteran Argentine posted and jump shot his way to 15 first quarter points in his matchup against Kevin Love. Love played hard as well, going for a cool eight and eight. The Cavs made a point of looking for early post position. The good floor balance and ball kickouts led to a high assist rate.
Mo returned to action at the 5:17 mark and immediately contributed positively on offense. After Love hit his first left wing triple, Mo’s ball push the next possession resulted in a repeat left wing bomb. The Raptors closed the quarter with a nine to two run, featuring a couple DeMar DeRozan buckets and a DeMarre Carroll three to tie the game. After one, 25-25.
2nd Quarter:
Mo, Jared, RJ, Champ, and Andy started the second quarter with six consecutive misses before a timeout at the 9:16 mark. Ball and body movement were poor, and the Raptors slowly built a 32-25 lead. Out of the timeout, Tristan replaced Andy, Swish replaced a clearly gassed Williams, and LeBron subbed for RJ. It didn’t pay off immediately, but LeBron’s left wing three stopped the Raptor 19-2 run to close the gap to seven. His subsequent free throws after a Rondo-esque fake behind the back drive moved The King into 18th place all time on the scoring list.
LeBron’s barrage was just beginning. James scored or assisted on all but three points of a 16-0 run that forced the Raptors to call a timeout at the 5:09 mark. The outstanding ball movement reminded Fred McLeod of a conversation he had with James Jones in which the Champ claimed that the Cavs’ ball movement this season is better than at any time during his Miami run.
Fortunately for basketball fans, Kyle Lowry returned to the floor after a brief trip to the locker room. Unfortunately for the Cavs, he promptly posted up to end the Cavalier run. Some rough play on both ends begged some questionable officiating, but it evened out in the end. It wasn’t the most enjoyable basketball to watch, but the effort was good from both teams. Heading to the break, 49s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk2Mm4Dh6x8
3rd Quarter:
Mo Williams started the third in place of Jared Cunningham. The Raptors’ offense is customarily very isolation heavy, but it hummed more smoothly in the first part of the quarter. Some good drive and kick action led to wide open right corner threes from Carroll. The only problem for the Raptors was Kevin Love’s unconscious shooting from behind the arc. KLove drilled three more bombs and dropped in a couple from the charity stripe for good measure. Kyle Lowry continued to probe the offense with his mini bully ball to help the Raps survive until the first extended timeout of the quarter.
LeBron made some tough jumpers and the defense tightened, but the Raptors fought hard. Carroll, Lowry and Biyombo are all excellent, hardnosed defenders. Nothing came easy for either squad. When LeBron checked out with just under three minutes remaining in the quarter, the Cavs led 73-70.
Kyle Lowry came out of the timeout looking to destroy poor Jared Cunningham. Lowry drove straight through Jared for an And-1 opportunity. The Raptors took a one point lead when Biyombo tipped in Lowry’s free throw. Directly after, the pit bull point guard hounded Cunningham before picking his pocket. A couple possessions later, the Drakes brilliantly put Jared and Mo into a Pick and Roll. Opposing teams would be smart to do that anytime the two players share the floor. The subsequent layup pushed the Raps’ paint scoring advantage to 38-20. Kyle Lowry is ridiculously strong and dropped in two more muscle bound drives.
The Raptor lead was only five, but the Cavs felt Mozgov’s absence. It looked like the Raptors were going to take that lead and all the momentum into the final quarter, when Mo Williams nailed a 47-footer at the buzzer. One quarter to go, 82-80 Toronto.
4th Quarter:
Mo, RJ, Bron, Love, and Andy trotted out to start the fourth. Mo hit Jefferson for a nice alley-oop to tie the game in the quarter’s first offensive possession. The next five minutes of game action featured a total of six points. Neither team was playing that horribly on offense or that wonderfully on defense. Still, a combination of the two gave the arena some high effort, low scoring entertainment. Then, with under seven to play, the Raptors broke through with hard drives to the hoop and a three from Kyle Lowry to take a 91-84 lead.
The Cavs made some progress on the offensive end after the timeout, but they still couldn’t stop Lowry’s drives to the hoop. On the rare occasion that they did, Bismack Biyombo grabbed a tough offensive board and putback. A great passing sequence for the Raptors ended with a splashed corner three and a ten point lead with two minutes remaining. Biyombo dunks off of blown PnR coverage ended the Cavaliers’ comeback hopes. Two JR Smith bombs in the waning seconds made the score more indicative of its close nature.
Thoughts:
52-28. That was the paint scoring advantage for the Raptors. It allowed them to overcome their horrible free throw shooting and inconsistent three point defense. The Cavs couldn’t stop Kyle Lowry from getting into the paint. Lowry bullied and stutter-stepped his way into the lane for 27 points and six assists. When it comes to Kyle Lowry, the stats are secondary. His physicality is consistently amazing. He takes on much taller players with force. He attacks opposing ball-handlers with a fury. Lowry is one of my favorite players to watch because it is clear that he is misery for the opposition.
It’s a shame Delly wasn’t good to go for this contest. Lowry versus Delly should be required viewing. In fact, the Raptors provide many intriguing matchups for the Cavs. We saw what Carroll versus LeBron looks like last spring. The first quarter of this matchup featured a battle between Luis Scola and Kevin Love. Biyombo vs Tristan is interesting for contractual reasons as well. The Raptors could be a pain for the Cavs come playoff time.
Ah yes, Bismack Biyombo. I love the guy. Many of us here at C:tB have pushed for his acquisition in some way or another over the past few years. He showed his value in this contest. Taking over for the injured Jonas Valanciunas, Biyombo provided great rim protection on defense and active rebounding and rolling on offense. He and Lowry provided the punch to close out the game. I know the ship has sailed, but how much does he make again? How many drives to the hole did Tristan allow? Ok, I’m done. No need to go there.
LeBron went 11-12 from the line. Things are looking up there.
Speaking of a sweet stroke, Kevin Love drained five more threes. The offense stalled in the late third and fourth quarters, but Love’s hot shooting extended to another night. A happy development indeed.
And with that I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. It has always been my favorite holiday, and I am lucky to be able to spend it with my family this year. Yet, part of the reason that I love the holiday is that I have had great evenings with many international friends in the years that I have been abroad. Everyone seems to enjoy good food and time with friends. I implore all of you to invite a foreign friend to their first Thanksgiving. It is a wonder for them and a pleasant antidote to any burgeoning familial strife. Go Cavs. Go Turkey.
And people, don’t quit on Cunningham! This is a guy whose total NBA experience before this year was the equivalent of four games. So parts of his game, like finishing, may settle in yet. But even if he doesn’t develop a reliable shot or a better left hand, he can still be useful for depth. He knows what he’s doing at both ends of the floor and adds a dose of athleticism. He’s solid on defense and can push and finish in the open court. Maybe I’m like a general fighting the last war, but I can’t help thinking how… Read more »
If the guard corps is ever healthy enough that divvying up the minutes becomes an issue, that will be just about the best problem ever for Blatt.
I’m a little surprised by LeBron going hardass so early and often. Last year he was Mr. Coast Till It Counts, and the team showed it had no problem reaching and sustaining max intensity in the playoffs. Of course, the press may have made more out of Wednesday’s postgame conversations than was actually there — wouldn’t be the first time.
Like I posted before, the Cavs have to bring the right effort to their road games :
http://cavsnation.com/lebron-james-rips-cavs-poor-effort-in-their-fourth-road-loss-of-the-young-season/
I honestly think that the Cavs win by 5 if Delly plays. Cavs didn’t run nearly as many sets as they normally do on offense and he would have slowed Lowry
Love to see that!
Whag would you have said to me 2 years ago if I told you a team with Love and Lebron could credibly accredit losses to the fact that Delly didn’t play?
Actually I’m such a obscene Delly fan even then, I would probably believe you. Now… if you would have told me that Delly would play more effectively and even better than Don; I would have exploded in laughter.
Ah my spelling.. Dion not Don
On a side note, I spent part of my Thanksgiving with an Aussie. I loved it, and it made me like Delly even more. The Aussies are good people.
Ah yes Serenity here. Other bloggers elsewhere are actually blaming Love and having stupid debates on Delly’s RPM for the game loss. I look on here and that Burning Pic of Lowry couldn’t be more in your face. No ONE STOPPED LOWRY! Cavs need to catch a break on the health maladies plaguing this team.
People are actually blaming Love for that loss? Do they know NOTHING about basketball? Or watch the game?
Well players that he’s guarding are shooting 55% this year, so there’s that.
He has his haters believe it or not. There are fans that truly are not happy unless they are trolling , Kinda of a sickness like my ole man. What are you going to so?
What are you going to do? (I meant to say)
1. This team can’t win without Delly in the lineup. #MVP. 2. I think LBJ going all hardass is him trying to make it a habit. I think he doesn’t know if this team is tough enough, so even if this loss was no big deal, he wants them to be ready. He notices GS getting stronger and stronger, and wants to have our guys ready from the tip, instead of figuring it out as we go along like last year. Think about it: we were one point away in Game one of the finals from a win. Which means,… Read more »
1. Certainly to win it all. I think Delly is clearly the fourth best player on the team. Second best in toughness. If I was DG+DG, I would try to extend his contract right now, like tonight.
2. And, in that event there would have been no overtime in Game 1, so KI would not have been injured.
Even when everyone is back, Delly should be playing the most minutes of the guards. When LeBron is getting a breather, I might consider going with KI + MD + JR + two bigs.
What many people in general are missing is just how incredibly good Delly’s defense really is. Blatt has said he can guard all 4 positions & most NBA players cannot do that. There has been an ongoing preconceived notion that Mo’s offense would be so much greater than what Delly’s defense could give for clear advantage wins. The truth is that it’s not. We are seeing much more out of Delly . The ball movement, more assists and stingier defense has given the team more of an advantage to win because it just that damn good. Perhaps this gets watered… Read more »
Depends on who the opponent is. When Kyrie comes back there won’t be but about 20 minutes to chop up between Mo and Delly. If we are playing Detroit and the backup is Dinwiddie, then I want Mo in there. If it’s a quick and/or penetrating backup PG like Atlanta and Schroeder I’d rather have Delly guarding him.
More time will tell . I won’t be surprised by the evidence. Also, expect more Mo injuries. He’s a creature of habit.
It is highly unlikely that KI will be playing a lot of minutes when he comes back. Or ever again, for that matter. So the minutes will not be “chopped up between Mo and Delly”. Mo will be fine for specialize situations, but there is no way he will be taking minutes from MD.
The plan is to win this year.
Blatt has already alluded that to reporters with a Big Smile on his face. Blatt said something like this 2 games ago, “The many intangibles Delly gives us, don’t worry, I will find him many places to play on this team when Kyrie returns”
I think Delly might be part of the big 5. But has only established himself as definetely in the top 6. Irving Lebron, Love, and Tristan are still ahead of him. He and Shump are pretty close
After reading the Cleveland.com article about what transpired after the game, I think Lebron wants his teammates to play more with Lowry’s mindset. (Or should I say, Delly’s mindset.)
LBJ said tiredness is not an excuse. I think that, in this case, it might be. I thought the Cavs were doing well until they went stone cold in the 4th . . . and Toronto seemed to have all the energy in the world.
Ya, I was honestly surprised to hear about the players only meeting because it seemed to me like we just ran out of legs. That can happen from time to time when you have four possible starters out to injury. The only thing I can think of is how poor our defense has been. Though, our two best defending guards were out last night. I just can’t wait to get this team healthy, if it ever happens.
All I care about is having everyone healthy by the playoff finals. And I hope the Dubs are 94-0 at that point, with no injuries all season long and few close games. That will set up the greatest shocker in sports history: Dubs getting the all time win record and finishing 94-4!
Love it. The only thing I find improbable is them beating us twice during the regular season
Happy Turkey Day everyone! Thankful for all of you and a wonderful year of Cavs basketball ahead!
Still on pace for 60.133333333333 wins.
Tristan was not very good in the switched pnr tonight against guards. Also Im constantly disappointed at his late rotations to protect the rim – seems to always be making a halfhearted swipe rather than being in position.
Officiating was all over the place tonight
Cavs gave up at the end
Really missing our backcourt
YES NOBODY LIKES WATCHING THE CAVS LOSE–ALTHOUGH AT THE START OF THE SEASON (BEFORE MOZ / DELLY / MO’S INJURIES AND ALSO JR ) I PREDICTED A 9-6 START SO 11-4 WITH ALL THE INJURIES DOESN’T APPEAR TO BE TOO BAD WOULD HAVE LOVE TO SEE CAVS GO AFTER BYOMBO 2 YRS AGO –BUT OH WELL NOT SURE IF I WANT LEBRON CALLING TEAM MEETINGS AFTER EVERY LOSS ( UNDERSTAND THE FRUSTRATION ) BUT TOO MANY MEETINGS OR CALLING OUT TEAMMATES CONSTANTLY CAN LEAD TO ADVERSE REACTIONS– JUST MY HOP ANYWAYS LET’S REGROUP / ALL ENJOY A GREAT THANKSGIVING /… Read more »
Isn’t this like the 3rd one? He’s basically yelling at skeltons and wounded soldiers with no limbs.
Thanks Ben. Good stuff.
Your enthusiasm for Lowry was well received by me, which was actually quite startling because I couldn’t stand him last night. He was bullying us, and it drove me crazy. Your praise has made me take a step back and appreciate the good basketball player he is. Thanks.
I really miss our full team. That was my main takeaway from the loss.
Happy Thanksgiving CtB!
Also, yes. Delly vs Lowry would’ve been a fun watch. This game last year was crazy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-E1cIW9CNg.
Thank you Ben for a great recap & your Thanksgiving sentiments. On the sentiments: My family moved from Australia to Cleveland for one year start of 2014. We were invited to a Thanksgiving lunch by a work colleague out East of Cleveland in Bainbridge. It was snowing, but it was cozy inside. The food was amazing, as was the company, the NFL games from the view of a comfy couch and waaaay too much Thanksgiving cheer. As people from another country, it was truly a special experience to have shared this day with locals and tasted the sporting culture. It’s… Read more »
Great story, Simmo. Thanks!
Well it’s always tough to lose.. 1. We need to toughen up the defense on the paint. And not just by big men but also the guards/wings allowing their opponents to penetrate almost at will. With Delly, Shump, Lebron and at times RJ, I think we’re good on the wings. The frontline is a different story as Timo is our most consistent rim protector, TT ain’t. 2. This game definitely hit us by being undermanned. We went cold. Everybody did. That’s how you miss a guy like Kyrie. Or a 100% MoGotti. Tho I like it that we’ve given ourselves… Read more »
Sometimes Cunningham is over matched, but I still see him as a valuable piece. He’s athletic, tenacious, can penetrate, and has the proper confident/competitive mindset to be a contributor. He’s a good “fit” with the players we have, bringing something a little different to the table as an 11th man. A couple of years back everyone said that Delly was too unathletic to defend guards at the NBA level. They said he’d be gone in no time. He worked hard. Got minutes. And figured it out. The Cunningham dissidents are comparing him to Kyrie & Mo. He’s not those guys,… Read more »
The first team looks great right now – because they’ve played together. The second team looks like a hodge podge of talent, but doesn’t look very good. They have to play together. Cunningham has to play with these guys and figure it out. In the end, it will be his basketball IQ that determines whether he makes it. Listen to your coaches and teammates, kid.
Well said, RJ… Cavs didn’t seem to have a whole lot of interest in playing defense (except for a stretch in the second quarter) last night. Too few bodies to match the aggressive play of the Raps. And nobody (other than Mo) could seem to hit a shot in the final quarter and a half… It also surprises me the negativity being thrown at Cunningham. He’s not a PG, yet had to be the emergency starter at that position last night. Yes, he needs some serious practice on finishing at the rim, but he got hacked every time he went… Read more »
Ben! Putting in the overtime! Thanks for the recap man! Felt like I went through it all again. Totally agree that Delly vs Lowry will be must see tv come January 4th. Will be super interesting to see if last year’s defensive minded Kyrie Irving from the playoffs comes back. Do you remember how in the zone Kyrie was on defense before the knee cap split?
Happy Thanksgiving, Ben. I was working, so just followed the game via gamecast, but I figured Delly not playing and a possibly still gimpy Mo would hurt. Cunningham is not exactly someone you want playing a lot of minutes. I’m thinking Irving will see his first time in the next week or so.
Completely agree on Cunningham. He’s pretty bad and will receive many DNP once this team is more healthy. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s moved in January.
I wouldn’t say he’s terrible or anything like that; He’s a project who was forced to play a lot of meaningful minutes. When everyone is healthy, he’ll be in the range of the 1th-13th player off the bench along with JFJ, and Andy. I’m pretty happy with that, and i’d rather give away Joe Harris (someone should be willing to trade a top 55 protected 2nd rounder to give him a shot) than cut MDN.
That’s too early for Irving to return. The last thing I want is rushing him back or getting him injured again. I want him to be fully 100%
It’s not for me to judge what is ‘too early’, that is just my guess based on his activities, and what people close to the team have been saying. I very much doubt Irving would play before he believes he’s 100%.
Blatt should’ve just gone full Popovich and sit Love and LBJ and take the L. All these injuries are depressing.
It would have been a good win to get. We were in this one and actually had the momentum until the shooting went cold in the 4th . . . and we tired after that. It would have been good to squelch Lowry’s (and Toronto’s) cockiness early in the season.
Good stuff Ben! I’m sorry you had to write for a loss. It’s probably not as fun. My anti-Colsian take is obvious in that we have Delly and we win.
I actually can’t stand Lowry. I don’t deny his talent, but find him to be one of the biggest crybabies in the league IMO.
It’s never fun to lose, but this is still pretty meaningless.
I also hate that hack Drake. He’s annoying and does nothing special. They should send him to Mars with the Kardasians.
Thanks Ben…very nice recap of a rare Cavs loss. I agree Lowry and DeRozen had their way with our guys…but we had our two best wing defenders (Delly and Shump) out…not to mention the difference Moz could have made in the paint. Let’s hope those guys are back the next time we see the Raptors.
I’d say Lebron and Shumpert are our two best wing defenders, but I get your point.