Recap: Cavs 102, Celtics 94 (Respect the Champion)
2021-05-13The Cleveland Cavaliers put together a masterful defensive performance last night, defeating the reeling Boston Celtics 102-94. The Cavs managed to outrebound (55-46) and outassist (27-14) the Celtics, playing truly dominating team basketball. With the win, the Cavs snapped an 11 game losing streak, rewarded the Cleveland faithful on a special Fan Appreciation Night, and spoiled the first homecoming of beloved former Cavalier, Tristan Thompson. It was a heartwarming affair to earn a victory on the last home game of the 2020-2021 season. Let’s dive into last night’s takeaways…
Game Ball: NBA Champion Kevin Love
Last night Kevin Love reminded the world of his legendary status in the game of basketball, with a Minnesota vintage performance. He was unquestionably the best player on the court scoring 30 points on elite efficiency (84.5% TS), securing 14 rebounds (leading all players in both categories), chipping in three assists, two steals, and leading all players with a +14 plus/minus. He impacted the game on both ends of the court, playing inspired defense and smart, aggressive offense. Love mentioned in the post game presser that he’s had trouble with his nagging calf injury, and that last night was the probably the first time he’s really felt like he’s caught his rhythm after such a long layoff earlier in the season. Hopefully Love can ride the momentum of this performance into the rest of the season and offseason, and come back stronger than ever for next year.
Honorable Mentions: Brodric Thomas and Damyean Dotson
Coach BJ Bickerstaff relied heavily on the backcourt of Thomas and Dotson, and they rewarded the coach with winning team basketball. Thomas was a menace on the boards, grabbing 10 rebounds. Thomas also delivered three assists without any turnovers, an indication of sound decision making while he had the ball in his hands. He still hasn’t quite found his scoring rhythm, but fans saw Thomas’ confidence growing. JB even trusted Thomas to guard young NBA phenom Jayson Tatum in spurts with Dean Wade in foul trouble, and Thomas was up to the challenge helping to make Tatum’s night a very difficult one.
Dotson provided a little bit of everything last night with an efficient nine points, three rebounds, two assists, zero turnovers and bench high +12 plus/minus in 24 minutes of action. Dotson’s buckets were absolutely clutch in keeping the Celtics at bay, and I loved how Dotson made sure to get Love his touches on the offensive end. The young vet was a steady force that the Cavs have been lacking in the backcourt too many times this year.
The Young Guys made plays
Collin Sexton and Isaac Okoro have had to fill the playmaking shoes of Darius Garland the past few games and they delivered in a big way, combining for over half (14) of the team’s 27 assists. Sexton had early troubles with turnovers in the first half, but delivered much more sound decision making in the second half to put the game away. In one of his best plays of the year, Sexton rightly got the ball to Love in the post in crunch time, which initiated a fantastic two man game that led to a beautiful dime to Love to put the game away. Okoro continued to blossom from the shooting guard position with six assists and only two turnovers. Okoro also provided tough as nails defense on Evan Fournier, forcing him into an inefficient shooting performance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AG1N1WLMmE
Quick Notes on the Celtics
Tristan Thompson was adored by the Cleveland faithful last night, and one can’t help but think that Love was inspired by the bond they share as NBA Champions. TT and Love faced off once in the game with Love getting the better of TT. No doubt Love will remind him of that play forever as Love shared a laugh with the media scrum post game recounting the stop.
As for the Celtics at large, they seem to be trending in the wrong direction heading into the play-in tournament. There’s growing speculation about Brad Stevens’ status as head coach among Celtics fans and national media. While it’s acknowledged that Stevens is a good coach, there seems to be a building case that the players are tuning him out and that a new voice is needed.
However, it might be said that the man who’s actually responsible for the Celtics’ current turmoil is Danny Ainge. It can be argued that Ainge really blew a chance to build a juggernaut with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown by bad move after bad move. The Kemba Walker signing has blown up in their face. Ainge was unwilling to trade for bonafide stars in James Harden or Bradley Beal, instead choosing to sit on draft picks and assets that have not panned out as hoped. Among die hard Celtics fans, there’s a concern that Danny Ainge’s son Austin Ainge is involved in basketball operations that has precipitated the series of bad personnel decisions. Now there’s a real risk that Boston media is driving their two stars in Brown and Tatum out of town with their constant slander. Whatever the case, screw Boston and we should all laugh at their impending demise.
Two more on the road
Next up the Cavs will travel to Washington D.C. to face the Wizards on Friday night, then to Brooklyn to finish the season against the Nets. Until then, enjoy the good vibes CtB!!! GO CAVS!
Love out tonight. He had much too big an impact against Boston…/s
LMFAOOO glad they’re managing his calf, would think he goes Sunday against the Nets.
Yep. Should have rested him vs Boston. They were in a tailspin. Wiz want/need a win.
Not much chance for any tankers to win tonight. Was hoping Philly (Orl) and Utah (OKC) would have clinched #1s by now.
Nuggets could tank vs Detroit to make sure they cannot catch the Clips, avoid LAL in a 3/6 1st round, possibly pit the Clips & Lakers against each other (Nugs finish with Portland), and put LAL & LAC on the opposite side of the bracket from them.
DINWIDDIE ALMOST 100% SURE OF OPTING OUT—A PLAYER CAVS SHOULD PURSUE ???……………..AND FOLLOWING UP ON SIMMO’S POST -( ABOUT MORE THAN 1 SIMMO )—HEAVEN REALLY HELP US IF THERE ARE MORE THAN 1 NOMAD –( ALTHOUGH IT COULD COME IN HANDY ON THE NEVER –ENDING MRS NOMADS HONEYDO LIST )——ANOTHER GRANDCHILDS BIRTHDAY THIS WEEKEND // ANOTHER FAMILY GATHERING / MORE BEER RUNS TO “SATISFY ” MY 5 SONS—PROBABLY WON’T BE TUNING INTO // WITH YOU GUYS –( THE MRS NOMAD ALREADY GAVE ME THE WARNING …..”TUNE IN WITH CTB…….NO PETTING THE WIFE “……LATER GUYS !!!!!
sounds like no chance to sign Dinwiddie, he wants to stay in Brooklyn and would think Brooklyn wants to keep him.
LMFAOOO enjoy the time with the wife and kids NOMAD!!! have a great weekend!
PS Ainge has screwed the pooch and the chickens are mainly coming home to roost in it before they leave again. Dude is in trouble.
can’t wait to see what happens if they lose the Js, and I think the chance are higher that they leave than them staying.
There will be offers….
yup, hell would love a run at either of them, especially Tatum!
Tatum sometimes looks more like Young LeBron than anyone else I can think of in the league, really a special player.
Tatum doesn’t have the passing chops of LeBron, but maybe baby Kawhi?
Hate Ainge! Remember when he bit Tree Rollins?
WTF? LMFAOOO
According to the notes, it was Tree that bit Ainge. A couple details can slip in 40 years!
yay Dan Gilbert corporate marketing synergy! is this good news for Canton perhaps? I can’t get my brain around this guy’s galaxy-level business operations without taking a “Roger and Me” style road trip to Detroit
https://www.bizjournals.com/cleveland/news/2021/05/13/gilbert-forms-sports-entertainment-umbrella-brand.html?ana=cleveland
Lol!
Been meaning to ask, are you Adam as in Adam Cathcart (minus the login credentials) or a different Adam. This blog has had a significant representation of Jasons for a while, wondering if Adams are also in that camp. God help us if more Simmos turn up.
Yes. Cathcart.
Yes, verily, Simmo, it’s me, Cathcart. I am just trying to stay logged out when not posting; this method has the advantage of keeping my very old photo from showing up and thus prevents me from waxing nostalgic for my old hairline, or wondering why I do not simply crawl into the appropriate WordPress corridor to update the photo such that CtB threaders would given a chance to admire my very distinguished scalp or tasteful spectacle selection with each and every ‘WTF Sexton???’ or other pithy long-range remarks. The problem with profile photos in my demographic is that once embraced,… Read more »
I suspected from your prose but didn’t want to presume. I say embrace the vest & bow tie.
Joe Tait is turning in his grave SMH
EPM updated:
#107 Allen +1.1
#149 LNJ +0.3
#189 Hard Rock -0.2
#212 DG -0.6
#215 Sexton -0.6
#223 KLOVE -0.7
#248 Prince -1.2
#297 Wade -1.9
#332 Cedi -2.4
#372 Kabengele -3.2
#391 Okoro -3.4
______________________
(In order) Windler, Stevens, Dotson, Thomas, Delly, Martin ranked >400
Apologies for absence, Ima sit down now and watch the replay of KLove enjoying his youth. Hope to be around for the Wiz matchup. Any word on DG or is he done for the year?
No need to apologize! Weather’s nice here, people are gearing up for the summer!
Supposedly DG and Cedi are questionable, so 50/50 chance they play?
also eager to watch the Wizards-Cavs, they (Washington) have been in some great battles past couple of weeks — in a season loaded with weird blowouts, their *last five games* have gone down to the wire, very entertaining
Yup, great point!
“EAT A BISQUIT ‘……..LMAO CLF……..THAT MIGHT BE MY NEW MANTRA WHEN THINGS GET TOUGH :-)
LMFAOOOO i love it!
CP3 is still just absolutely ridiculous when he’s feeling it. He’s probably underrated these days if anything.
ultimate competitor
Playoffs are going to be fun. Every matchup in the West as currently stands is intriguing to me. Can’t see the Suns getting past the Lakers, which would suck for CP3.
Too bad Jamal Murray is injured or the Nuggets would be a legitimate title threat too.
yup, tons of great matchups, even like the east matchups…. Bucks/Knicks, Heat/Hawks should be good ones!
Conley & Mitchell are still out for Utah. Murray injury sucks for Denver.
Looks like Lakers (if Bron OK) v Clippers to me. A healthy Jazz team being a real threat.
Miami or Brooklyn out east. I’ll not believe in playoff Philly or playoff Budenholzer until I see it.
He should make 2nd (or 3rd) team all-NBA. Every team he joins gets better. He is still a borderline top 10 player for me. Bron, KD, Steph, Kawhi; Joker, Embiid, Giannis, Harden, AD would be my top 9. Pretty solidly.
We can fight about #10. I lean heavily to CP3 or Butler. Luka or Dame will put up better 82 game stats, and score more. But Jimmy & CP3 alter team culture and produce more wins. PG13 has a case, but he ain’t an alpha (KD & AD really aren’t either, personality wise).
Regardless, CP3 is still top 15.
Cavs can’t even tank right :(
That game waa crazy and I cant believe Cleveland won. Ehat a stupid league this ia where trams are punished for winning. Lets home the Cavs have some good Karma. Great Cap, Chris.
yup, 1000% agree re: tanking/karma… appreciate it Nate, your posts were awesome last night LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Heat coming on going into the playoffs. Not a team I’d want to have to play, with Butler and Spo, and all their other pieces. I could see them getting to the Finals again if things go their way.
Sounds like Herro’s starting to figure it out again after crapping the bed the whole year.
Too bad about Dipo. He is not what he was before that ghastly injury, but still a guy who can be useful.
I heard Dipo’s out for the whole season NEXT year!!! Crazy!
FWIW, if I had an all-NBA vote (2 G, 2 F, 1 C)
1st: Steph, Dame; Butler, Giannis; Jokic
2nd: Luka, CP3; PG13, Randle; Embiid
3rd: Irving, Michell; LeBron, Zion; Gobert
Just missed: Russ (G#7), Kawhi (F#7), Bam (C#4).
I’d put kawhi above Randle and Zion, also Mike Conley James Harden or Jrue Holiday easily ahead of Mitchell.
good list though, really Mitchell is the only guy that IMO doesn’t belong anywhere on that list.
Harden only played 30 some games and crapped out on Houston to start the year. No way is that worthy of an all-nba team. Same thing for KD, not enough games.
Bron is borderline. Kawhi has played 51. Butler in the 50s. Randle 68 and leading the league in MPG. He carries that team.
As for Mitchell, he clearly belongs.
Pts, Reb, Ast, TS%, WS, WS/48, BPM, VORP
31.4, 4.7, 4.4, 59.6%, 5.9, .134, 3.4, 2.9
17.6, 4.5, 5.8, 59.3%, 6.2, .162, 3.3, 2.5
25.7, 4.0, 9.5, 59.1%, 6.9, .160, 3.6, 2.9
25.6, 4.2, 4.4, 58.7%, 4.9, .106, 0.1, 1.1
26.4, 4.4, 5.2, 56.9%, 6.1, .166, 3.5, 2.5
16.4, 3.4, 6.0, 59.0%, 5.8, .192, 4.2, 2.3
Who is best? Those are the stats for Beal, Conley, Mitchell, Young, Jrue, and Booker. Not in that order. One outlier is not Mitchell.
agree to disagree, sorry can’t put a guy All-NBA when the team players BETTER with him off the court than on the court.
I’d definitely go Beal, Jrue Conley over Mitchell…. with Jrue and Conley, defense matters. Beal’s counting stats clearly better too, wouldn’t have a problem with him over Mitchell.
Well, never said you had to take Mitchell, but that his numbers clearly put him in the convo. Your statement he does not belong was overboard.
As for the on off numbers, those can be kind of tricky. I think you rely too much on them in your write ups (one game sample is too small). They often speak to the depth of the team, type of system, rotations, or reliance on one player, rather than quality of player.
Mitchell’s BPM is 3.5, that is not a negative. And better than Jrue’s.
The Jazz have 2 guys who could win 6th man (Ingles & Clarkson). That impacts that stuff.
Jrue & Mike do play better D. But they don’t drop 50 in the POs, either. Mitchell is the best player on the team with the best record. He will make all-nba.
We’ll see, even SLC dunk’s analysis shows that he’s far below average in every metric other than PPG and team wins.
I would still disagree, I do think there are at least three or four guys conservatively that deserve to be in the conversation, especially Conley who’s on the same team and clearly a better player than Mitchell with two way impact.
The on/off numbers I cited for Mitchell aren’t tricky at all, there’s around 1000 minutes of data that clearly shows the Jazz perform slightly better without Mitchell, and it’s because of Ingles and Conley being damn good and Jordan Clarkson being good enough to replace Mitchell’s production.
HAVE THE CAVS MADE ANY OFFER TO THOMAS —HE IS RAW —BUT YOU CAN SEE POTENTIAL AS A RESERVE— 10 BDS IS GOOD IN ANY LEAGUE FOR A GAURD ——-MAN AN ABSOULUTELY GORGEOUS DAY HERE IN NORTHERN OHIO …THAT IS THE GOOD NEWS —-THE BAD NEWS …..MRS NOMAD IS GETTING VERY ” AGGRESSIVE // CREATIVE ” WITH HER HONEYDO LIST ……..” MORE BEER PLEASE ” AND THROW IN A HAMMOCK :-)
LMFAOOOOO eat a biscuit and get after it NOMAD!!!
THANK YOU CLF—WATCHED PART OF THE REPLAY —- YEP FOR WHATEVER REASON —KLOVE WAS “LOCKED ‘ IN LAST NIGHT AND THE STATS PROVE IT —-MAYBE HE REALIZES THIS MIGHT BE LAST HOME GAME AS A CAV—MAYBE “EARLY ” AUDITONING FOR SUMMER G.M.’S —-MIXED EMOTIONS ON THE ‘W ‘ LAST NIGHT —-FOR THE PLAYERS YEAH IT GETS THAT ROTTEN TASTE // FEELING OF LOSING OUT OF THEIR SYSTEM BUT MAN THAT POSSIBLY COULD PUT A ‘HURT ” IN OUR LOTTERY // DRAFT SLOTS //CHANCES —– EITHER WAY …….” MORE BEER PLEASE ‘
Yup, that’s a good point re: Love, might be an audition and/or just wanted to give the fans something good for the night.
Yeah, the lottery thing sucks, but OTOH, I made the comment in the LT that there’s clearly some bad habits that have developed in Sexton’s game IMO (turnovers, lack of passing, defense) that can only be cured by focusing on winning. Glad JB had the guts to ride the bench especially in the second half with Thomas and Dot playing well.
Great stuff CLF — Thomas was indeed a menace on the boards, Dean Wade definitely needed help. Loved the kicker on this recap, also the props for the resurgent Kevin Love, dude was hitting stepbacks and turnarounds even. The basketball gods assured that he would hit 30 thanks to Wade fouling out late. Fun game, dancing on the green.
Appreciate it as always Adam!
Yeah, Wade definitely was completely consumed on the defensive end with Tatum, totally understandable.
and totally agree, just nice to see Love play good ball.