Recap: Cavs 104, Denver 102 (or, Wombat Sighting!)

Delly dropped a big ole box of dimes on Denver. The Wombat had 14 of the Cavs’ 32 assists in a rollicking game at the Rock. The pride of Maryborough Australia had his best game of the year, and has been resurgent post All-Star break. His playing time has increased as the Cavalier injuries have mounted. His jumper has been trending upward since the ASG. He’s at 38% from deep, which includes an 0-5 game. But it’s safe to say NO ONE saw this coming.

Delly out here like… pic.twitter.com/VmQn08Lic3

— HoopsDogg (@oldseaminer) March 8, 2020

Matty D was absolutely rolling during the second and third quarter, with six and five dimes respectively, and just picked Denver apart, finding guys on cuts, in the p/r, in transition, and kickouts to the three-point line. It was soo much fun.

The Cavs defense was pretty slipshod early, as Denver routinely got a switch on Jokic, forced a double, then kicked the ball to the corner for an open triple. Denver was 7-12 from deep in the first frame, and was up by 11 by midway through the first, but Cleveland fought back. Keys to that comeback were Collin Sexton no longer dribbling to the corner and surviving aggressive traps by Denver. After three disastrous possessions to start the game, where he seemed to be feeling himself a bit too much, Sexton calmed down and just turned into a blur. Collin got to the rack or his short floater repeatedly, and used good screens to create enough space and finish well. 16 points and three dimes in the first 24.

Also key, was Larry Nance’s absolute defensive utility. Junior switched onto anyone and everyone when he came in off the bench, and was an absolute defensive force. Sexton’s gravity opened things up for everyone else, and Delly found them with his passing. Denver tried to double off of Delly’s man, and the lack of pressure made the passes easier than they might normally be.

Cedi played well with a 12 point first, including 3-3 from deep and Kevin Love was aggressive on both ends of the court. 13 points on nine shots was the kind of focus the Cavs should have on Love offensively. TT added seven and six with three dimes. Gary Harris led the way for Denver with 5-5 from the field, and Will Barton dropped 16/5/2.

As was noted in the broadcast, Denver’s entire offense is built around tilting the defense one way, then reversing the ball for an open look. Cleveland fell for that a lot in the first half.

In the second half, the energy amped up, and the Rock was absolutely buzzing as Cleveland recaptured the lead, surrendered it, and recaptured it again. Tristan Thompson frustrated the heck out of Jokic on both ends, and the Cavs’ definitely got under the Nuggets’ skin. Paul Millsap was whistled a nasty offensive foul for a screen on Sexton, Millsap got in Sexton’s face, and Barton popped him too. To Collin’s credit, he just shrugged it off and kept going.

Jokic got away with about 6 uncalled fouls in the game and a handfull of uncalled travels. The dude is sloppy and gets away with a lot because he’s such a gifted offensive player. Kevin Love was brilliant with 14 in the second half, and was red hot down the stretch, hitting threes or getting to the line with his killer pump fake, especially down the stretch.He even played defense most of the game.

Delly was red hot in the third and came down and hit TT on a pick-and-roll oop, and then came down next time and found McKinnie cutting for another high handoff. He went full Wombat on the Nuggs in the third, until he got so amped he needed to sit for a bit before coming back for a great crunch time run.

The Fourth Quarter started with Michael Porter Jr. layup followed by KLove triple, then the Cavs went cold, as Cedi and Collin tried to do too much, and Larry Nance committed three turnovers. An 8-0 run in started at the 9:30 mark for Denver, as Cleveland was coming so far up defensive, that once Denver got past the first wave, it was as simple as an extra pass to get a layup at the bucket. Denver also did a nice job of Crowding the Cavs and forcing turnovers by the whole Cavalier crew.

After a pair of “thank God” Sexton freebies to stop the run, Denver held a 93-92 lead at the 5:32 mark. The Cavs played inspired D for the next five minutes, starting with Denver settling for a couple of Joker three point heaves. Then Love and Thompson played a brilliant two man game to get Kev a long deuce in the right corner, and then BANG! Delly trey in transition at the 3:28 mark, followed by a YoungBull kickout to love for three, to put Cleveland up 7 with 2:50 to go!

It felt like Cleveland had it in hand before Jamal Muray (17/5/7 on the night) hit a ballsy triple against scrambling D, followed by Barton and Harris getting their own treys. The Cavs traded a pair of two point Kevin Love possessions during that stretch, to make the lead just 104-102 with 41 seconds left. Sexton and Delly both made their best passes of the night as Sexton kicked it to Delly on the right wing, and Matt immediately fired it to Thompson down low where he was fouled by Jokic.

Somehow, Tristan Thompson missed them both, Denver did not call a timeout, Cleveland chased every Nugget off the three point line, and the Nuggs settled for a Jamal Murry fadeaway over Thompson that hit nothing but rim. And then there was much rejoicing.

Seriously, it felt great to get a win against a good team, especially on a night that the Warriors also got a win against the Sixers to make the damage in the lottery race not so bad. More importantly, it was one of my favorite Sexton games as he dominated the first half and then made the right pass and scored when the opportunities where there in the second half. He did finish with six turnovers, but also went 25/6/5 with two steals while a very engaged Kevin Love put up 27/6/3. Tristan Thompson added two big blocks and held the Joker to 8/8/8, Cedi dropped 20, and Larry Nance played defense on everyone. Short rotation isn’t sustainable. But it is fun. Most importantly, it was an seven point, six rebound, 14 dime affirmation of my love for my all-time favorite player, NBA Champion, Matthew Dellavedova. Love that dude.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhzDGzbikhc

The Cavs take on the Spurs tonight, who desperately need a win. Go Cavs.