Live Thread: Cavs vs Raptors 2016-02-26 Off By Nate Smith Well, Iman Shumpert is GO! And the Cavs look to be at full strength against the Raptors, who are sporting a fully healthy roster as well. This probable Easter Conference Finals match-up looks to be a fun one! Go Cavs! Stat Stats: Joe Johnson’s New Year’s Resolution Recap: Toronto 99, Cleveland 97 (Or, the time Kyle Lowry was the best player in the Eastern Conference)
I’ve seen a lot of comments from Cavs fans, mostly on other boards, that the Raptors stink and will get killed in the playoffs. Maybe – I’d favor the Cavs in a playoff series, and, who knows, maybe the Cavs even sweep them, but I certainly am not taking that for granted. Frankly, the Raptors have a significantly better resume so far this year than the Cavs. They have more good wins (including 2-1 head to head), and their losses against GS were also far more competitive. The Cavs have not played a stretch of games this season where they… Read more »
Raptors 99, Cavs 97; Jason Lloyd’s 24 thoughts on frustrations, blowing leads and the Buckeyes:
TORONTO: … bit.ly/21yvnR8
Yeah, Lloyds comments aren’t very encouraging at this point in the season. They’re not incriminated or panick-Riden, but just more indication that this team is far from a championship squad. I sort of feel that we may have the wrong mix of guys.
I don’t think everyone on this team cares about each other. Heck, Mo decided to stick back for a mysterious knee ailment. Griff, the lack of galvanization is deeper than you thought.
McMenamin’s article wasn’t too positive, either: “However, had James’ final 3-point try found nothing but net rather than nothing but air, what really changes for the Cavs? Sure, they would hold a four-game lead over Toronto for the top seed in the East and win the season series 2-1, rather than being up by only two with the tiebreaker in the Raptors’ hands. But, as one player told ESPN.com after the game, a result like that would have merely been “fool’s gold,” like a fresh coat of paint over a cracked foundation.” and: “Neither performance is that big of a… Read more »
That game left a bad taste in my mouth. The officiating was game changing and ridiculous. Lebron literally gets fouled every time he drives hard to the basket, difference between him and these other clowns is he isn’t a complete B that flops like a Euro trash football player. Lowry took advantage of the fact that he was untouchable, multiple times he initiated contact then exaggerated like he was hacked. Bogus that the refs don’t get it. There should be a Harden flop fine instatuted in the NBA for all the incredible con artists. Lue handled Lebron’s minutes horrible, kept… Read more »
Jordan McRae, who scored 61 in D-League game last month, expected to sign with Cavs. amicohoops.net/cavs-expected-…
Iman Shumpert asked about Kyle Lowry going for 43 points: “He does a good job of getting to the free throw line.” Was 15-20 FG, 11-15 FT. — Haynes
So we play the Wiz on Sunday and Pacers on Monday. Should Lue sit LeBron for one of those games? I think if he plays against the Wiz, we win. Pacers will be tougher either way. So I say sit him on Monday.
I’d sit him on Monday, no question.
I think you’re right! Hopefully we can blow out the Wiz, so he can rest the 4th Q.
Yes rest him and Kyrie needs to have a redeem game in his absence
What is up with sitting LeBron and all these players? Are they like 50 yes old or what?
Well we play the Wizards on Sunday. Like to think that will be a win. But who knows with the way the refs seems to hate the Cavs? Seems like a perfect game for Kyrie to step up since he’s laid some duds lately.
Sounds like yesterday may have been as good a day as any to have our home cable destroyed by a wrecking crew working next door. I am having significant Cavs withdrawal symptoms and the telco won’t fix it until March 4. I am going to have to rely on the CtB discussion threads for my fix – good job today everyone keeping me up to date.
You were saved from experiencing many bird flipping moments!
Cavs are such a Jekyll and Hyde team. I really can’t put too much stock into tonight’s loss. I think if Kyrie was slightly better we win. I think if the refs called a fair game, we win in double digits. I think if Ty Lue had a clue how to execute down the stretch we win. This loss felt similar to the Celtics loss earlier this year. It was a perfect storm for the Raptors to barely win. Good luck in the playoffs. ESPN is bored, they love to trash Cleveland, and this was a perfect opportunity. By the… Read more »
So I opened with that statement and followed up with a rant. Sorry meant to dove tail and now I don’t recall what I wanted to say. Cavs are a Jeklly and Hyde team, but I’m not sure this was a game to point to.
It’s a game thread so you are allowed.
Agreed. Do not feel bad about this loss. The effort was there. The refs were not. Even some great off ball cutting and movement as well as some consistent perimeter passing. The Toronto d was great though, especially in the second half. They were sprinting around on their rotations and contests. Additionally, doubt Lowry makes 6 or 7 of the shots he made tonight over 7 games. He made, all the raptors did, some incredibly tough shots.
Man, Kyrie is taking tips from Mo Williams on defense. Opposing PGs just kill us night after night. If he can’t get better, he’s not playable.
what the heck man? why does the whole fanbase think kyrie won’t get better at shooting? and why do we all forget that prior to his crazy injury last playoffs, he was playing lock down defense. He will get back to being playable…and maybe he will even impress some of you. But it might take some more time than 3 months. he came back in mid-december. We will be fine. settle down.
Kyrie has never been, and probably never will be, accurately described as a “lock-down” defender.
Damn, how did that game get away?? You can’t make costly mistakes mid 4th quarter against a team like this. Their BIGS were better than ours.
The guy that writes for Scene magazine is pretty harsh with his criticism. I wonder if he even has a press pass any more. Seems really bitter!
https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/703425374294769664/photo/1
:/
Ok Skip, chill. Those first 47 min tho.
ESPN is really celebrating the Raptors right now. Wonder how they’ll feel if they get taken out in the first round.
They constantly complain the Cavs have it too easy in the Eastern COnference.
HAHA. I can’t even watch ESPN or log on the website anymore. I see Steven A. Smith’s visage and I’m out.Tough loss, but it is just the regular season.
It’s been a tough week Nate. Losing Andy and then , this. Time for a beer!
Anyone watching post game? God, I never thought I’d like J.R. as much as I do.
He is one tough dude. He takes a lot of hits playing defense.
Didn’t see it, what did he say?
Hard to describe. Just see a bit of maturity to him that I’ve not seen before.
Yeah JR is one of my favorite players on the team.
Most minutes Lebron has played all season in a game that’s ended in regulation time
Surprisingly, he didn’t make that many mistakes in the end playing that long. Lebron really wanted to win that game. He needed more help from his team mates.
Dwane Casey is a good coach. Might be the league’s most underrated.
I’m not sure why you think that besides them being in 2nd place in the east when other teams were expected to be there.
Unless you mean he is underrated in his ability to pay for fouls for Kyle Lowry. In that case…COY.
He has them breathing down the Cavs necks in the East, when Carroll is out and has missed a ton of games. The Raptors are playing well, so he probably deserves some credit.
And he cavs are beating them in the standings completely injury free? let’s check the injury sheets…the cavs have had significant time lost from about 5 different players this season and are in first place in the east and 3rd in the league. i would love to give credit to dwayne casey, but his injuries’ list pales in comparison. And we’re still beating them.
I said nothing about the Cavs’ injuries. The Cavs were the prohibitive favorites to win the East coming into the season. I’m not sure why you are hell bent on not giving him credit. If they get to the finals, does he merit credit? How about if they finish with the best record in the East?
He can have all the credit he wants. Give him as much as YOU want. Just realize he’s had a team playing together for 3-4 years that is second place in a crappy eastern conference and he is only BEHIND ONE TEAM that has had major injury issues since day one. If they win the east, good on him. I am not taking credit away from him. I predicted the raps would finish 2nd in the east after our first game with them. But singing his praises this year is weird. Maybe 2 years ago when he took a team… Read more »
Putting his players in a position to succeed consistently is the mark of a good coach. Not quite sure what more you want out of a coach.
I’m sorry I called you an idiot, Cols.
You should post this in the box scores section where he’ll read it. I send him X-Mas cards there too!
Well that was a playoff game. Going to need an ice bath tonight. Was a great game to watch even if we lost. Kyle Lowry is a beast and made a lot of tough shots. I actually thought we moved the ball pretty well but the raptors wanted that game bad. Feel like that was their best shot. They played great smothering and scrambling D and got a ton of calls. I will give them credit. Lowry went off but we definitely scrambled on d for most of the game and tried to contest most shots. Disappointing end of game… Read more »
That, indeed, was a playoff game. And you play to win it.
They did more than that. Their BIGS are dominant getting paint points. Mosgov and TT have not done what we seen from them.
Hence, the comment about being able to use AV tonight.
Yeah, 50 pts in the paint for Toronto. Has to be one of the highest of the year.
Well maybe, but how would you rate their defensive contests and energy compared to other recent games. Still feel like they contested well throughout the game, but Toronto hit some tough shots and got a ton of calls. Lowry also went off. He wasn’t just getting uncontested layups and the bigs were not getting uncontested dunks. In fact at least we made them earn it from the line. Of course the refs gave them more than a home team’s share of calls. I do not think we can say the effort wasn’t there tonight. However, it took a last second… Read more »
Very disappointing loss. Lue doesn’t get a pass either. He was a little slow addressing defensive needs sooner in the game. Blatt had no problem in the past putting a nonproductive Love on the bench. Should have done the same with Kyrie.
good lord, blatt DEFINITELY had the same problem lue does. keeping lebrun’s minutes low in tough games. He took Kyrie out a LOT this game…instead of Love. Because LOVE wasn’t the friggin problem this game. It was the guards. He should have played more stump and less Kyrie. Delly got a correct amount of minutes. We have a 4 guard rotation that have very specific skill sets.
I DIDN”T SAY LOVE WAS THE PROBLEM!!! Kyrie was and didn’t deserve to be there bringing the team down in crunch. I wasn’t the one complaining about Lebron’s minutes. that was someone else. So go yell at them. Stop making excuses for Kyrie. He’s a grown man . I didn’t complain about Delly either. It’s like you went off on my comment on everyone else’s rants.
Playing LeBron the entire second half made no sense.
Gotta keep the bigger picture in mind… Can’t get caught up trying to win a game in February and risking anything less than 100% in June
LBJ played 40:29 minutes.
Lowry played 42:49.
Lowry didn’t look too tired and was able to hit a three at the end.
Career minutes (including playoffs): Lowry about 19,000, LeBron about 45,000 + several summers with Team USA.
LeBron is past his peak physically. Cavs should be protecting their biggest asset so his decline doesn’t accelerate.
Well LBJ has logged more than twice more career minutes than Lowry ( combined regular season and playoffs). In addition, he has been to the last 5 finals, played 3 Olympics and 2 FIBA basketball while being more than two years younger than Lowry. Lowry had been to the playoffs only thrice barely seeing minutes in two rounds as a reserve with Houston and was a first round playoff performer in the 2 previous seasons ( I might add that Toronto was swept last year too). Lowry should have been ready for at least 5 OTS in this game.
Don’t know if you guys watched ESPN or Fox Ohio tonight, but AC was fantastic: calling out so many things before they happened. His growth as an analyst has really been something.
Yeah we listen and he was spot on
Thought the Cavs got way too into prevent offense in the last seven minutes. LeBron was gassed and they just kept walking it up. Also, how does JR not get more shots with as hot as he was?
Man you are absolutely correct about JR. There are times when the cavs, following in their ‘in lebrun’s image’ creation, just have too many options to choose from and not enough direction from Lue on WHAT to choose at what time. I think that’s the issue with this group reaching their proverbial ceiling: when do you use what option?
JR should often be the option to stem other teams’ runs. He just…doesn’t care. It’s amazing to watch
Offensively, in the last quarter, bodies stopped moving, the ball stopped moving. Standing at the top and dribbling (LBJ or anyone) doesn’t win this type of game. You have to keep attacking. As soon as the Cavs stopped attacking they lost the lead.
Well it’s hard to defend Lowery when he falls down after every shot and gets calls.
Hope we see more plays like when Lebron was along the baseline and found a slashing Kyrie for a layup. Need that kind of off ball movement more consistently.
***Disclaimer on comment. I am not panicking. I think the Cavs would sweep Toronto even after watching this game.**** Kyrie is absolutely awful. He is completely removed from the offense. Plays within no system whatsoever. Has no idea what the team’s schemes are. Has no idea how to make team mates better. Has no idea where they are on the floor at any point in time. And is unbelievably atrocious on defense. As much talent as people say there is on this team. It is just sad how Lebron could not even come off the floor. Ok, onto the next… Read more »
We were all expecting growth from last year even considering rustiness off of the injury :(
Dead on regarding KI. Will he ever get it?
Maybe we should trade him straight up for DeRozen. Raptors would do it after tonight.
Wake up call. Maybe now the Cavs will take things a little more seriously.
I think Kyrie is intimidated by Lowry. Lowry comes close to Kyrie in skill (finesse), but blows away Kyrie in everything outside of the realm of finesse.
He doesn’t come close to Kyrie in skill.
But he is a lot tougher and a much better defender.
You’re right. But he is skilled.
You’re wrong in that Kyrie is way more skilled. His 3 point shot will return. He has shown signs of that. Lowry plays a more downhill game. I think Kyrie could learn a lot from watching lowry play…but saying he’s more skilled is silly. his handles are nothing to write home about. He has about a 3rd the body control.
One thing he does 10x better though, is bait the refs into foul calls in Toronto.
All other things being equal (contract, age, etc), I’d trade KI for Lowry and not even think about it. I know other people have a different opinion, I think Lowry is just better. And I sure as heck think he’s a tougher competitor.
Honestly I think Lowry is the guy you want to have against Curry. Great player.
I think Toronto is over rated and Lowry needs a superstar along side him to make it to ECF and even have a sliver of a chance against Cavs. But Lowry is a great player.
If these teams meet in the ECF, it will be like what Cavs did to the Hawks last year. Maybe worse.
I did like how the Cavs used Kevin Love’s passing from the elbows down the stretch and then he’d flare out to the 3 point line after passing it.
Wish LeBron would have just gone up strong on the interior pass from Love. I know he had a tough angle but he may have gotten fouled. Kicking it way out to J.R. in that situation with a few seconds left on the clock was a worse look
Double teamed between DeRozan and Biyambo, that was the right play. We’re probably nitpicking.
Lowry’s 15 free throws were a joke.
Exactly! Can he count on that in the playoffs?
Yes, he’s short and quick enough to get a half a step on a defender. When the defender tries to catch up and come close, he puts his shoulder into the defender and draws a foul, but does it lightly enough to still get a decent shot off. He’s a master at it. I don’t see much difference between him and Harden in this way. The problem is the way games are called today. In the 70’s & 80’s fouls were called on the one who initiated the contact. Sometimes if the offensive player initiated it – it was a… Read more »
Yes, but in the playoffs typically those calls aren’t given to the offensive player. Or it’s inconsistent. I just don’t see him getting those calls. But I could be wrong, because Wade and Harden made a killing that way.
So the NBA calls this group of games one way and another group of games another way . . . and another way depending on what your name is. That’s a good way to run a professional sports league.
No what I’m saying is that the Raptors are a team that rely on getting to the line. That may work in the regular season, but in the playoffs usually officiating crews let teams play, so Lowery’s Broadway Show may not get him 15 FT’s a night. I think our team back off him because the refs kept calling any player that breathed on him.