Recap: Indiana 106, Cleveland 102 (or, Vic’s Revenge)
2017-12-09
I’m sure that Victor Oladipo has a long list of people who’ve wronged him: Russell Westbrook, Scott Skiles… Up on that list would be the Cleveland Cavaliers who passed on Victor to take the worst No. 1 pick in NBA history. So Vic seems to get up for playing the Cavs, and get up he did, scoring 33 points, grabbing eight boards, and dishing five assists in 31 minutes, including scoring a game-clenching triple over the outstretched arm of Kevin Love at the 1:01 mark to put the Magic up six. Cleveland tried to rally, but after a Smith triple missed, Orlando was able to run out the clock and end Cleveland’s win streak at 13.
The missed trey was emblematic of what had plagued Cleveland all night. They were sluggish, weren’t running their plays with any force, and most of all were bricking their shots from beyond the arc. Cleveland went 11-36 from three, and any one of those misses might’ve changed the course of the game. Korver especially seemed off, going 1-5 from the field, while LeBron, Jae, and Kevin shot a combined 4-17 from downtown.
The Cavs just looked a step slow running through their plays all night, not cutting hard off screens, or setting them with as much verve. Indiana, to their credit knew most of the Cavs’ plays and Cleveland made it easy on them, often throwing up a contested shot after one pass, instead of running through the second, third, and fourth options. The Cavs also seemed hesitant to go inside, especially with Miles Turner (three blocks) patrolling the paint.
It’s a make or miss league, and Cleveland’s 11-36 was trumped by Indy’s 15-39 from deep. Cleveland has a tendency to spot teams leads and give up lulls in the third quarter, and it finally caught up to them tonight. The Cavs spotted the Pacers a 13-2 start, and then a 32-23 third quarter powered by a red hot Oladipo who dropped 20 on 7-8 shooting. He was unguardable: drives, pull-ups, and a scintillating three ball, and Ty Lue left a hapless J.R. Smith on him for way too long.
The Cavs countered in the fourth with LeBron, but his stepback magic was gone, and the Cavs didn’t have enough juice.
Hypes:
James finished with 29,10, and eight dimes, and Kevin Love finished with 20, seven, and three dimes and a team high +11. Calderon had a solid night.
Gripes:
Kev took too many jumpers and the Cavs didn’t post him nearly enough once they got Turner switched away from him.
Channing Frye had zero rebounds. Cedi Osman had a lot of Channing’s boards (five in 14 minutes), but needed to attack more. He was too passive and it stalled the offense.
Cavs waited fat too long to switch things up on Vic I’m the third. They needed to get the ball out of his hands rather than leaving JR on an island. Cleveland was a as actually lucky McMillan sat him till he cooled off.
Swipes:
That the Pacers won the Paul George trade is pretty remarkable. They got a guy playing better than George is now, plus Sabonis. I ripped this trade in June. I’m eating Crow now. Vic looks like a star. This Pacers team features a lot of guys I love playing as their best selves. They’re going to be a tough out.
I’m not very confident about tonight’s Sixers battle. Guess the emotional letdown of the streak ending and the back to back makes things less competitive. Love to see some guys get nights off, but it won’t happen.
Live thread up.
Nets losing….
kevs awful defense was on full display. anytime hes on the court they just pnr’ed him. thats what got victor home depot started
Seemed more like JR’s ability to do anything to me.
Way too early to call the pacers the winner in that trade. Given expectations, sure I guess, but once the playoofs start, no one will want to play the thunder. That home crowd, paul george hitting big shots….i could absolutely see that team pushing the spurs or rockets
I posted this in the game thread, but Oladipo had everything but the great shot coming out of college…I thought he’d get the shot because he was a worker. It took longer than I expected, but he certainly looks good now…
down goes # 1 duke——bagley with a” pedestrian “—15/ 12 —–
I was frustrated with energy from Crowder and Green and decision making by Wade. Also LeBron fell in love too much with his jumper. It actually looked like he was starting to lean against. I hope he doesnt lose his form
Agree – I saw the lean too. Maybe rushed, but I also thought they played excellent D on LBJ, paying attention to the outside shot. Well coached.
mentioned earlier – -yes pacers are the winners in that trade with the thunder——–would not want to face the pacers early in the playoffs ( hoping the celts get them —could be an early out for the celts )——-thought the cavs walked the ball up the floor / took too much time —by the time they were set to run an offense / attack –there was less than 10 seconds on the clock–had to rush their shots—hoping to start a new streak tonight —GO CAVS !!