Recap: Pacers 114, Cavs 111 (or, Turned Over)
2021-03-04In one of the Cavs’ final chances to make a defensive stop, prevent this game from slipping away, and preserve a winning streak, injured power forward Kevin Love stood at the end of a long table in front of the team bench. As he leaned forward in a black hoodie and green chinos, his hands were placed on either side of the table in a posture both of kingly authority and supplication. He wanted the stop, and a win. Lording over the table but unable to influence events on the court, Love watched as the Pacers’ veteran guard, Malcom Brogdon, made his way toward the Cavs sideline through a series of screens. When, with 38.2 seconds left on the clock, Brogdon put the Pacers up 112-107 with an expressionless jumper, Love pounded on the table in fury with both hands, cursing into his slipping black facemask.
It is possible to be peeved at multiple things at once. Frustration doesn't have to be an either/or proposition. https://t.co/CIAmPKVBOM
— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) March 5, 2021
Standing next to him was Darius Garland, the second-year guard and a native of Gary, Indiana. Garland was in uniform but out of the game for the last quarter-and-a-half with a groin pull, and the Cavs were out of rhythm, sputtering their way to a 21-point fourth quarter and multiple disjointed and downright boneheaded possessions. (They finished the game with a staggering 25 turnovers.) As the fourth quarter played out, Collin Sexton got engrossed in crosstalk with the grabby, gabby, and somehow dominant T.J. McConnell, the Pacers’ sparkplug backup point guard. Dylan Windler missed a free throw with less than a minute to go, rendering his final rebound and put-back with 1.3 seconds left irrelevant rather than game-tying. Damyean Dotson was completely out of sync, and while Sexton did pick up on the scoring and the distribution end, dishing out ten assists and netting 32 points for the game, he also was careless with the basketball, tallying up six turnovers.
If you’re on the wagon with the Cavs organization narrative, this was a night for growth and meaningful minutes down the stretch for the Cavs rookies and youth. Rather than go with the vets Cedi Osman or Taurean Prince, Coach J.B. Bickerstaff put Dylan Windler and Isaac Okoro on the floor to close out the game along with Jarrett Allen and Dean Wade and the inevitable YoungBull. But apart from Okoro again showing his ability to drive and get buckets and absorb contact, it was not a stellar performance in crunch time by the squad.
Tough take from @isaacokoro303! 💪
📺 #CavsPacers on @FOXSportsCLE pic.twitter.com/fvngBWRfto
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) March 4, 2021
Wade was solid throughout but, along with Sexton, was a part of consecutive thrown away possessions that literally only went backwards, ending in backcourt violations. Inbounding was again a problem. Were the Cavs this bad at inbounding the ball under the leadership of the excruciating John Beilein? Not to jump to radical conclusions, but presumably these are things that could be worked on and improved through practice.
To be sure, the Pacers were hungry and certainly more desperate than the Cavs, and they brought more urgency and energy to this game. Cleveland had been in such a strong position, with a 70-51 lead early in the third quarter, and appeared to be on their way toward a nice win — but it was not be.
Playing the counterfactual game is, most fans and analysts can admit, a kind of psychological compensation. The loss feels bad, so you throw a few ‘what ifs’ at the problem. What if the Cavs were healthy? What if Larry Nance, Jr. was there to pluck another additional three possessions for the Cavs out of thin air? What if Darius Garland had not been injured? What if Matthew Dellavadova had been available for the game rather than on the sideline, nursing a concussion? (This thought occurred to more than one participant on the CtB live thread for the game — ‘put Delly in for 15 minutes and it is a W,’ wrote one.) A couple more possessions and a better performance at backup point guard almost certainly would have helped the Cavs to swing a win in this game.
But those things did not and could not materialize, and so the three-game winning streak is over and the Cavs are left to stew on this one over the All-Star Break, resting in a familiar position — the middle of the bottom of the pack of the Eastern Conference, considering making some big trades, and with a vague sense that an improved performance is just over the horizon.
A few observations about the body of the game itself:
Dean Wade got the start at power forward again and statistically had a very strong game — 17 points on 5-8 shooting from distance, with 6 rebounds in 31 minutes. His unflappable style in icing the 76ers at the line showed a minor crack with 1:58 left in the game as he failed to hoist what would have been a three-point attempt over the shorter Brogdon as the Pacers defence was scrambled, and instead chucked the ball well away from Allen and into the backcourt. But he followed this with a strong rebound over the larger Sabonis and a dunk with 36 seconds to go. A good continuation of the Dean Wade experiment and the kind of stat line you would hope for from Kevin Love when he gets back, stretching the floor and getting some rebounds.
Andre Drummond was again on the Cavs bench. His potential trade has now been tied publicly to possible trades of Cedi Osman and JaVale McGee. JaVale got quite a bit of late run in this game, tallying 6 rebounds in 19 minutes and about three dinosaur jazz offensive moves that were sort of terrifyingly graceful yet resulted in no points and him in a sprawl of limbs wondering what had happened.
Speaking of self-expression and experiments, J.B. got creative with the lineups again and had a line up of three ostensible long-ball specialists — Osman, Prince, and Windler — on the floor simultaneously with Sexton at guard and McGee at center. Although they did not actually shoot the lights out, that combination appeared to be very active in defensively patrolling the perimeter. However, Cedi, McGee and Windler had the worst plus-minus for the game (-15 or -16), meaning they got the worst of it as the Pacers closed the gap in the third quarter. Prince was a medium-to-mediocre presence in this game, going 2-6 from the field and dishing out 4 assists.
Lamar Stevens did not see the floor in this game. While he is averaging about 15 minutes a night of playing time, it may be that J.B. sees better matchups with the Pacers. Stevens played only 2 minutes in the Cavs’ first game against the Pacers, presumably in garbage time as Cleveland lost that one 119-99.
Dotson played 8 minutes in this game, and managed to get a single bucket. He looked cold and somewhat surprised to be on the floor, rather than self-possessed and eager to control or at least make an impact on the game. Windler is looking more comfortable later in games. Sexton could have done more to control the pace and keep the Cavs in this one down the stretch, but the Cavs ran out of timeouts and ultimately were beat at home by a resurgent backcourt of T.J. McConnell and Malcom Brogdon.
Let us hope that after the All Star Break, Kevin Love is again patrolling the paint rather than pounding tables. The Cavs meet the Pacers again in May.
AGREE MIKEO —ONCE HE LOST HIS ATHLETICISM AND THIS YEAR HIS 3 PT SHOOTING —-DOESN’T ” MOVE THE METER ” A WHOLE LOT ——IN DRE ‘S CASE HE CAN DEFINETELY HELP SOME TEAM –EVEN IT IS JUST REBOUNDING// BEING A DEFENSIVE PRESENCE
Sounds like Blake is signing with the Nets. Doubt he helps them much.
Yeah, he has just been flat bad this year, and his one skill that Detroit has used to make him less than absolutely awful is his passing and BRK needs none of that. For a big man he is 13th percentile for getting shots off at the rim, 6th percentile for eFG% and he is below average from every location on the floor in terms of FG% for a big. I find it perplexing that they are even interested in Blake given how weak they are defensively and he complete loss of mobility is not going to help him be… Read more »
R.I.P.MICHAEL STANLEY —-ENJOYED A FEW OF HIS CONCERTS –I CAN IMAGINE WAY BACK THEN MY BUDDY BUCKAROO WAS THERE ENJOYING THE MUSIC AND A FEW ‘BEERS ‘ ALSO
Does anyone think the Raptors might trade Kyle Lowry? He is a FA next year. I believe he turns 35 this month. If he says he wants out, might they prefer something instead of nothing?
He is a Philly guy. Be a heck of a rental/short term piece for a contender. He makes $30+ mil. Seems like using Drummond’s expiring to help facilitate a Lowey deal might yield us something (young player, flippable vet).
A lot of speculation about whether they would or not, feeling was they wouldn’t unless Lowry requested it.
The plain fact is from a basketball perspective they should. They have 3 core guys under control going forward the oldest of whom just turned 27. Lowry and Baynes are the only two guys on the roster older than 28 and they have a solid team. With Lowry’s cap hold they have no space left, so unless they renounce his rights and resign him for the MLE they are losing him or not adding anyone this summer. Even if they sign him for half his current salary that basically ends 2022 and 2023 as FA acquisition years as well. On… Read more »
AGREE 100 % MIKEO —–NOT ONLY PERTAINING TO LNJ SKILLS —BUT HE IS CLEVELAND THRU AND THRU —-HE LOVES IT HERE // TRULY WANTS TO BE HERE AND LOOK AT WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR THE COMMUNITY AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO—-IT WOULD HAVE TO BE A GODFATHER OFFER FOR ME TO EVEN THINK ABOUT TRADING HIM
According to Fedor, several teams thirsty for Nance, including one team supposedly offering multiple firsts. I don’t think Altman will trade him unless he gets a Godfather offer, and I don’t think he should. Mainly because it would be a crummy thing to do.
That article was silly, clearly the only two “untouchables” should be Allen and Nance, they are our two best players.
OTOH not sure why Sexton’s considered “untouchable”, he’d be a trade piece that could trick another team into giving up a bundle of first round picks.
This is what I think the breakdown should be:
Untouchable: Allen, Nance
guys with trade value: Dre, Sexton, Wade, Cedi, McGee
guys with no/little trade value: Prince, DG, Dotson, Windler, Stevens, Okoro.
I’d think Garland and especially Okoro have immense trade value, because they have promise and are on rookie contracts. But neither are getting traded, so it’s moot.
I’d disagree… while what you said is true, that they have “promise”, no one’s going to give commensurate value on that “promise”… the reality is they’re bad rookies that have too far to go right now to become NBA players. No NBA GM anywhere is giving us plus value (meaning better than top 5 protected 1st round picks).
that’s why they won’t be traded, because they’ll never recoup the value.
Garland clearly has value, but you can never trade a guy like that absent being included in a package for a stud, it is simply how the NBA works. A draft pick loses value (except when its #1 and the #1 guy is an obvious choice) once a guy has been selected, its simple the pick could be ANYONE left in the draft before the pick and after the pick it can be that one guy only. You basically never see a recent high draft pick traded for an equivalent future 1st rounder it doesn’t make sense as a trade.
yes, exactly what i said, he has little trade value stand alone as a player.
No, he has plenty of trade value, but the Cavs aren’t looking for the types of player that 2nd year picks on a decent development curve bring. If the Cavs wanted Aaron Gordon then Garland would be an enticing piece for Orlando but the Cavs have no interest in paying full price for a piece like Gordon.
LMFAOOO OK, thanks for proving my point I guess?
That’s why I said Fedor’s article was silly… it was just straight up FO propaganda. And that’s fine, but it’s unconvincing if the goal was to demonstrate a sound process from a talent evaluation POV.
His source has to be Koby or someone connected to Gilbert.
Why would we want a bundle of 1st round picks for Sexton? The Cavs have long term guys at PG and C, and with Nance as untouchable (he shouldn’t be) at PF as well, and Okoro is going to get a shot at SF. Basically trading Sexton for picks means using picks on SG style players who are unlikely to be as good as Sexton. Nance should not be untouchable, he has never played 70 games or even 1,800 mins in a season. Yes he is a very good rotation piece when healthy but if a team on the cusp… Read more »
doesnt have to be a bundle of 1st round picks, could be beal or lavine if Washington or Chicago want to tank.
also that would allow Okoro to move to SG where he is a better fit especially defensively.
and the goal of trading sexton is selling high on a player that doesn’t defend or pass and eats up too much usage.
Lavine is not nearly good enough, and is more expensive. The Cavs should not trade for Beal, they don’t have the structure in place to win at a high level and should not be outbidding teams that would be legitimate contenders with him. There are almost no trades that make sense with Sexton included, the Cavs don’t want to get younger (ie grab more picks) and they aren’t in a position to go older and more expensive- that just cuts their ceiling down without making them a threat now. If the Drummond/Love/Nance trio had been healthy and really clicked well… Read more »
“Lavine is not good enough”… simply not true, and will be on a better contract especially if Sexton’s maxed.
Lavine’s a top 25 player this year, Sexton wouldn’t start on a good team.
Nonsense. Lavine is more expensive next year by $13 million dollars and then is an UFA with 8 years experience which puts his potential max salary at 5+ million more per year than Sexton’s, and worrying about Sexton being maxed while claiming he can’t start on a good team is contradictory. Beyond that the top X player argument is terrible- Lavine is on a team with a 2nd year PG and a rookie SF with young bigs and the team is 2 games under 0.500 with a negative net rating. You couldn’t ask for a better comp to the Cavs… Read more »
Sexton sucks, but his agent leaked that he want a max deal, where’s the contradiction?
Agree to disagree, Lavine would be huge step better than Sexton, and I’ve seen no compelling evidence from you otherwise.
Who cares what his agent leaked? Every player wants a max deal. I haven’t bothered addressing the Sexton v Lavine because its immaterial. Lavine’s team is a close analog to the Cavs with Garland/White and Okoro/Williams being comparable players now and going forward. There is zero reason to think if Lavine on Chicago (with much better active vets which is where all their wins come from) is a fringe play in team that Lavine on Cleveland will be anything but that. Lavine is -11pp100 in 1100 possessions without Thaddeous Young, that is rock solid evidence that he can’t carry a… Read more »
Right so no contradiction, and no compelling or even “rock-solid” evidence either.
At this point there is nothing more to say to you as you are the one posting ‘Sexton sucks’ without evidence and then just refusing to add anything to the discussion
And yes ‘Sexton sucks, and he is going to get a max contract’ is a contradiction.
If you go back and read my posts, there’s plenty I’ve said about how bad Sexton is, not worth it to repeat it to you since you’ve already staked your claim about Lavine.
Also have no idea where that quote is from, since I never said that.
I don’t subscribe & cannot get it.
Who are the wings the Cavs will discuss? Cedi & Prince?
yup, I believe so… for some reason I was able to read the article yesterday, but now it’s paywalled.
Pretty sure the rationale was because of Okoro and Windler to a lesser extent… but don’t quote, just going off of my crappy memory LMFAO
Happy the Conley gets to be an all-star. Finally. Deservedly so.
As for trading Cedi, I think we are likely stuck with Prince for 1 more year. He is pricier and tougher to trade. Okoro and Windler both have higher ceilings (though likely not better now), and will need minutes this year to develop. And a wing is likely our draft pick.
G: Garland, Sexton, Delly
G/F: Okoro, Windler, Prince, Osman
F: Nance
PF: Love, Wade
C: Allen
Our 2021 pick + Stevens.
While what you said re: Prince is true, I also think he has slightly higher upside than Cedi and worth seeing how he can do next year. Was playing really well until he was forced into the starting 4 role after Nance’s injury as well as having his own ankle injury.
I’d hope that the Cavs find perimeter creation with two way ability in the draft as opposed to pigeonholing themselves into a particular position. Just looking at the roster, the clear need is at the guard/wing position.
Yeah. I think we’ve seen what Cedi can do, and how often. Hoped for the best when he was recruited, but have to say I wouldn’t be upset were he traded.
I agree… but I would expect to get something for him, not just trade him to open up playing time. He’s still one of the few legitimate NBA players we have on the roster LMFAO.
I’m just amazed Nets have any money to go after Griffin.
He got bought out, so may sign for cheap for this year.
I can’t wait to read/listen to the Pistons blogging set about this — is it a liberation, a new chapter, a triggering episode reminiscent of the Josh Smith debacle, etc.? Cavs always seem to be watching that organization in a unique way and their bottoming out is one of the few constants to keep the Cavs from themselves plumbing (Plumleeing?) the depths.
Good cap.
The cedi thing is interesting now that KPJ is gone. I am ok with putting him on the market as long as we keep Prince. If you lose both you’re a bit thin again on the wing even with Windler. Don’t think Stevens is a long term solution.
Wade has been surprisingly positive though he cooled off. Hopefully DG isn’t out for a long time. We suffered last night due to his absence in the later game.
Cedi’s one of the few players we have with actual trade value LMFAOOO I think the willingness to trade Cedi does indicate that they want to make room for Stevens, since his defensive impact is greater than anything Cedi/Prince/Windler/Okoro can do.
THANK YOU ADAM —TO’S WERE WITHOUT A HUGE PROBLEM ( ALONG WITH DG GETTING HURT ) FOR PACERS GAME—-I.B. HAS BEEN A SEASON LONG EMBARRASING STRUGGLE —MY ALL STAR BREAK WISH—WORK ON “JUST 1 ” SUCCESSFUL I.B. PLAY ( I DO HAVE OTHER ALL STAR WISHES)—–TRADE DRE NOW DURING BREAK–IF GOOD DEAL –TO ALLOW FOR ACCLIMATION ) –ALREADY HAVING ‘CAVS WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS ” —MRS NOMAD SAID GOOD CURE FOR THAT IS TO WORK ON ‘SPRING HONEYDO LIST “—INFORMED HER I AM WORKING ON MY “BUCKET ” LIST ——-YEP ” BEER // ICE IN A BUCKET “—ENJOY !!!!
enjoy the bucket list NOMAD! LMFAO
Nice cap. I believe McConnell was the first bench player ever to get 10 steals. And nine in the first half is an NBA record.
Some good stuff. But a bad loss.
It was a bad loss for a good team, which we haven’t been LOL… but definitely a bad loss in the context of Indiana struggling bad and us on a winning streak playing good ball.
But Indiana’s a much deeper team than us, really showed in the bench impact stats… our starters were great outside the turnovers.
Superb writeup Adam, thank you.
I only caught the last 2 minutes of this game – think the first thing I saw was McConnell’s steal in the photo above. Comments on the CtB board groaned “not again”. Writing seemed on the wall, and to me in that stretch at least, it looked like the Pacers were engaged and wanted it more.