Recap: Cavs 92, Clippers 79 (When Defense is King)
2021-10-28The Cleveland Cavaliers authored another defensive masterpiece out west, this time in the City of Angels, with a dominating win against last year’s Western Conference Finalist, Los Angeles Clippers 92-79. The Cavs held the Clips to 36% shooting from the field, and out-rebounded them 57-36. Let’s dive right in to the takeaways…
1. Collin Sexton’s best game of his career?
Young Bull played his most complete game as a Cavalier. What was special about the occasion is that he did it on the defensive end first, with seven rebounds and three steals. This is something he’s never displayed before, a consistent focus on defense and defensive playmaking. If Young Bull turns this negative in his game to a positive, it truly takes him from just a scorer to a star player because the Cavs will win a lot of games.
2. Evan Mobley Rookie of the Year campaign strong as ever
Mobley turned in a workman-like performance, with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and three stocks in 34 minutes and +21.0 net rating. The Cavs’ defensive rating was 76.1 while Mobley was on the floor. What Cavs’ fans are witnessing is truly historic when it comes to Mobley’s game. He’s basically the next Kevin Garnett, check out the numbers:
https://twitter.com/NBACouchside/status/1452729479655219201?s=20
3. Lamar Stevens makes the most of his chance
The Penn State product put forth a dominant defensive performance in the place of Isaac Okoro (and Cedi Osman), with the Cavs posting a 68.2 defensive rating while Stevens was on the court. Stevens also had a team-high net rating of +31.8 in only 21 minutes off the bench. With Osman struggling on the defensive end, the opportunity is there for Stevens to earn rotation minutes if he keeps up these types of performances.
4. Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love showing leadership, how to win
NBA Champion Kevin Love also turned in a tidy double double, with 10 points and 10 rebounds in only 24 minutes. His presence was clearly necessary with the shots not falling, with his ability to crash the glass on the offensive end (four offensive rebounds). The “Spanish Fly” was able to provide steady play coming down the stretch in the fourth quarter to ensure the comfortable victory. It’s obvious the “old” guys are having a lot of fun winning!
5. Darius Garland with a great floor game, tons of room to improve
DG turned in a rock solid performance with 16 points, six assists, four rebounds, a steal, and a +19.3 net rating in 28 minutes. What great about his performance is that it was a winning performance, but could’ve been a lot better as well. DG had six turnovers on the night, and a sloppy sequence in the fourth quarter. Part of the reason the turnovers are happening is because DG is forcing the pass and being too unselfish (only eight field goal attempts in the game). Once he learns a shot attempt is better than a live ball turnover, the scoring will increase and he will become a more dangerous offensive weapon.
6. Statement win?
This game caught the attention of many NBA fans, including none other than the King himself, LeBron James:
My goodness Young Bull! š¤š¤š¤. With the left too
— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 28, 2021
The Cavs have just beaten two of the Western Conference’s best teams on the road, and beat them pretty soundly. They’ve done it with some elite defensive performances and with an unconventional lineup of three seven footers in Mobley, Lauri Markkanen, and Jarrett Allen. Is this success sustainable? Well, the Cavs’ defensive rating is ranked in the top 10, and it will only improve as guys get more chemistry and Mobley finally sees the whole league. And what about the offense? Well, that’s where the Cavs are just scratching the surface. Lauri Markkanen hasn’t really gotten going, and neither have Garland or Mobley for that matter. But what will carry them through the times of lean offense? Let Coach Lindsay Gottlieb have the final word:
Donāt look now but those guys are āhoopin! Out-working people. Out-hustling people. 3 in a row. #letemknow @cavs
— Lindsay Gottlieb (@CoachLindsayG) October 28, 2021
live thread is up if you wanna head over!
wtf is up with bagley ? injured or a lazy check-casher ?
got booted out of the rotation for no good reason, because at least two of their bench guys shouldn’t see minutes over… but it’s also just as likely that he sucks that badly LMFAOOO
Herro is lighting it up…
many on Ctb laughed and sent ridicule at the old addled uncle buck when he was praising tyler herro (#13 in ’19).. who is laughing now ? .. this 6’5″ dude is in lift-off mode.. (21 ppg.. 7 boards.. 4 assists.. 17.34 per).. 16 pts in 2nd q vs CHA )+22
definitely a good bounce back year so far for the young man!
bounceback ? he showed growth in every meaningful category last yr (his 2nd)
I think it was mainly his 3 ball, but it wasn’t as low as i thought so I stand corrected!
Jinxed it. Now 46-40.
I don’t want to jinx it, but the Pacers, sans Brigdon, Lavert, & Warren, are pummeling the Nets 46-30. In Brooklyn. 16-7 on the glass.
WOW
brooklyn struggling at home.. down 16 to 1-win indy in q2.. what a difference a year makes.. duarte a nice mid 1st round pick
Hey buck, great minds think alike!
thx jason bro.. just a miserable old curmudgeon (i love misery in pro sports.. caused by my CLE roots).. NOMAD is the gentle and wiser oldster
Scottie Barnes 17 points and 6 boards (and 2 steals) and it’s not half yet…sky is the limit for that dude…
He, Franz, and Giddey seems like they’re off and running!
If we did not get Mobley (or Cade), I might have taken Barnes next.
Yeah, I wanted Mobley, but if they had taken Barnes I wouldn’t have been upset…he easily could turn out to be a monster…
Hornets-Heat is a turnover fest so far…and of course constant displays of Plumlee beasting on the boards. No one in the NBA can handle that dude.
WOW, appears Charlotte screwed up:
I do not think many saw this kind of leap coming. Plus, he’ll be restricted, yes?
I’m not exactly sure why, He put up some very nice numbers last season but I guess the NBA landscape right now is obsessive about offensive on-ball creators.
Yes, I believe you’re correct… I think he could be one of the few (or only? IDK the free agency class) to get a max offer.
It looks bad right now, since Bridges is starting out this season looking much improved, but I don’t think it was some unreasonable offer at the time.
Maybe so, but he’s a switchable defender that rim protects and who shoots really well…. I think it’s definitely a hard ball offer.
I think 20m per year was probably the number… rather have him than Markkanen, maybe Allen too.
Also, he’s a Klutch klient, so they were probably asking for the max. That’s pretty much Rich Paul’s entire bag of tricks.
LMFAOOOOOOOOOO and screwing over their clients too!!! (Nerlens Noel)
sexton’s value has gone up exponentially in the last 3 games.. keeping him is absolutely back on the table, but it is a certainty that the cavs get a very significant haul for him.. i imagine many teams are putting pencil to paper and trying to figure out what to offer.. nice position to be in..
I think the only hope of getting a decent return on Sexton is going to be in a trade involving a lot of players, probably a three team scenario. Cavs will have to give up some other valuable pieces along with him and maybe land a big fish. Who knows what will be out there as the season goes on though. I think Embiid is playing through an injury to keep Philly alive, they might start to feel the pressure soon.
I think it is wise to let this play out for a bit. I agree with Simmons & co. Mobley (potentially) makes the other pieces fit. We go from The Island of Misfit Toys to Santa’s Workshop.
If Sexton accepts an offensive role involving the ball in his hands less (Rubio/DG primary + Mobley/Love elbow/high post) AND improves on D AND becomes more rounded (get some rebounds), AND the team is good defensively with him out there, we have a keeper.
Let these guys play in some meaningful games & see what we have.
That’s a really good point re: Mobley…. Sexton becomes more valuable on a defense first team because they can mitigate his weakness and his bucket getting skills become more valuable in that team framework.
AI formula. Except AI had great hands of course.
Net ratings thru 5:
DG +11.7
Rubio +6.2
YB +4.3
LOVE +2.9
Mobley +2.6
JA +1.8
Ice -0.9
Lauri -1.9
Cedi -12.9
Lamar Stevens +24.7, would expect him to get a shot at Cedi’s spot in the rotation.
Stevens is a better fit as an Okoro replacement than a Cedi replacement. Much more similar to Ice. Plus, LAC are so tiny, easier to get away with 3 guard stuff (Sexland + Rubio) for stretches.
I am hoping Windler/Wade get a shot at some Cedi minutes at the 2/3. Stevens is a bulldog, though.
I think part of Cedi’s struggle is that they continue to play him at small forward (84% of his minutes at the 3 so far according bballref)
I think Stevens could supplant Cedi easily in that role.
Agreed. Cedi is a 2 in my view.
yup 100%, but I get it, they’re thin there.
Agreed as well, I just love watching the dude ball. Always hustling, making cuts, moving the ball, defense tough.
seems like one of those guys who used his time in college really well, basically out of the box as an NBA defender.
Definitely hoping Windler/Wade get a shot, I get JB’s trying to protect them, but sometimes you just gotta throw them in and let them sink or swim.
Apologies for advertising for another podcast but… Fun episode of the Bill Simmons podcast today for Cavs fans. Gushing about Mobley. Simmons is hilariously all in on the Cavs, heās buying it. Just said he might like this team more than Boston right nowā¦ which, lol. They brought up a point about Mobley that was an exact thought I had this week and mentioned yesterday. He just raises the floor for the whole team on defense, the way a superstar does for the whole team on offense. Also talked about how he looks like a third year player already, and… Read more »
Was a fun listen. I think most of us going into the season saw Mobley as only a darkhorse ROY guy, since some of the other guys were going to have better scoring stats, but he’s getting a lot of run from media types early on, not just Simmons. Expect the hype to reach another level if the Cavs beat the Lakers and Mobley puts up a 17/11/5 with 4 blocks.
thank the stars that mobley hit the draft when 2 hot shot sirens (cade and jaren) were around to seduce the teams at #1 and #2.. you can’t argue with luck, but we need to give constant thx that kobley didn’t screw it up.. “scharks” ? and simmons from the ringer nailed it.. mobley is a very special once-a-generation talent.. and he is making everyone better, and very motivated.. guess where LBJ goes after his 4 yr contract with LA is up.. yeah.. back to NE Oh.. father time will slow him down eventually, but as a once a century… Read more »
he can compete for 3-4 more championships until his retirement (giving him the possibility of winning 7-8).. and have a chance to surpass MJ
THANKS FOR ALWAYS HAVING “MY BACK ” RAOUL –( UPPER CASE POSTING ) :-)
Perfect.
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32499723/atlanta-star-trae-young-speaks-new-rules-frustrated-missed-calls
The floppers union’s whining (Young, Harden) is music to my ears.
That rule change should have happened 5 years ago.
nice cfb victory by memphis over gs in ot.. several interesting games this evening.. NY over CHI, wash over ATL.. should be a very fun and competitive season.. a lot of well-constructed teams out there..
Iām still gonna be Ebenezer Scrooge on Collin Sexton until I really see sustained higher IQ/winning basketball play for a lengthier period of time. Still scarred from last season when the Cavs started 3-0 and then 8-7 through the first 15 games highlighted by that insane Sexton vs Nets gameā¦. Then it all fell apart as they went 2-14 over their next 16 games and the season was lost.
count me with those who are glad the season was lost — can’t complain about having Mobley.
For me itās less about his defense and more about playing in a team offensive concept. He got most of his points moving without the ball, then attacking IMMEDIATELY once he got it. I only remember 4 or 5 times when he did the slowly-backup-to-mid-court-let-the-defense-gather-then-go-attem-anyway thing.
If he can play that mix more consistently, heās be an asset id consider keeping.
Yep. Great series of wins. If Sexton can turn into just an average defender (or below average) instead of a turnstile, rebound some, and score semi-efficiently while not hijacking the offense, we are in business.
We had 20 TOs last night. Garland 6, Sexton 5, and Rubio 4. Shot like crap, and win easily anyway.
Good job Cavs!! Defense travels well. Sexton’s D and Rubio’s shot will be inconsistent but all else seem to be sustainable. Rooting for Cavs against Lakers!! Go Cavs!!
I didn’t see the game, since I had to be up at zero dark 30, but I watched a pretty extensive collection of highlights. Good for Sexton making so many highlight plays. (but it’s the occasional game like this that really brings the most obnoxious Sexton stans out from the wookwork) He looked really engaged. If he played like this every night he’d be worth the max. Pretty rough game for the Cavs offense, but a win is a win. I’d really like to be more sure that the Cavs D is for real. Mobley and Allen are, not sure… Read more »
Defense will be interesting to watch. It will likely regress some. I think Mobley elevates everyone though. Heās honestly just everywhere. Other guys are playing with a higher intensity than usual, Sexton especially last night. Lauriās not great but you can see him really bringing it at times. Ultimately I still think Sexland + Markkanen is going to get torched a bunch, but weāll see. Fun while it lasts.
Yup, take the Ws as they come!
I think the defense is real!!! Rubio still has it, Sexland is obviously suspect but they’ve been engaged so far.
We did get carved up by two of the best offenses so far this season in Memphis and Charlotte. Charlotte is the last game of the road trip, would hope to see an improved performance against them.
I think every player on this team has collectively agreed to try to flush the rock hard in someoneās face as many times as possible each game. Sexton with the left hand last night, The Big Finnish over Jokic and Okoro too the game beforeā¦and pretty much J. Allen on somebody every game. I think theyāve been challenged to do it as a confidence booster and, my God, it has helped! Plus Iāve always felt when a team gets slammed on hard there becomes this desire for them to want to try to return the dunk hard on one of… Read more »
Loving it too boogie!!!
Anybody know if Mr. Space Jam is playing on Friday? Whether he’s in or out, Lakers are going to be looking to make a statement after their overall crap start — and especially after blowing a 26-point lead to Josh Giddey’s Thunder. Win or lose, if they compete hard — and I get to see Allen posterize Dwight — I’ll be happy. Go Cavs!
The thought is that Mr. James wouldn’t miss taking on his former team, but just a hunch!
GO CAVS!!!
remember how he couldn’t beat the Heat for years!
this was one of those early season games where one team was hyped (Cavs) and other was pacing themselves (Clippers) and the hyped team controlled the whole game. Its early but this team is entertaining to watch and getting off to fast starts and not blowing leads/crumbling down the stretch. Again see how this team looks in two months.
Leo, I have to ask–who is hyping the Cavs? Every outlet I checked has the Cavs with little or no chance of the playoffs. ESPN even ranked them as one of the least “interesting” teams to watch. Or did you mean “hyped up,” as in wanting it more? Either way, I do agree to pump the breaks on calling Treeland a defensive juggernaut, especially if the top bullet in the report goes to Sexton. That said, this west coast trip went from certain doom to possible galvanizing point for a team that just hasn’t won much the past three years.… Read more »
using hyped as ‘energized’ like team was super hyped to play, etc, etc – it was obvious Cavs were hyped to play last night – hope that clears it up
Great stuff Chris and Leo, agree with you both.
The offense is definitely behind the defense, part of that is chemistry with so many new faces, other part is a lack of shots for Mobley and Allen in the paint, would like to see them get more of the share of the offense.
Also, teams are going to start to get up for the Cavs… will be interesting to see how they close out the road trip, still three more playoff teams to go.
YOUR RECAP IS THE LIKE THE CAVS DEFENSE—–OUTSTANDING—-JUST WATCHED THE REPLAY …..”BEER WITH MY RICE CRISPIES—SNAP/ CRACKLE AND BURP ” :-)—REALIZE IT IS STILL A YOUNG SEASON BUT MAN IF THEY CAN CONTINUE THIS TYPE OF PLAY THEY WILL BE SOOOO MUCH FUN TO WATCH —-COULD BE A PLAYOFF CONTENDER –HOPE SEXTON CONTINUES HIS BUY IN TO THE “D” AND TEAM PLAY—-D.G. SHOULD HAVE HAD 3-4 MORE ASSISTS / GUYS JUST DIDN’T FINISH —HIS PASING HAS BEEN SUPERB —-MOBLEY IS THE REAL DEAL / SO GLAD WE GOT HIM !!!
TOO KIND NOMAD, AND 100% RIGHT!!!!
Oops! Not vaccinated for UpperCaseAnitis!
LMFAOOOO THATS RIGHT RAOUL!!!!
Im concerned Im going to get sucked back inā¦
LMFAOOOOOO HEY GLAD YOU DROPPED IN OTHERJASON!
I had to call it a night before the 4th quarter — looking forward to watching that later. These games have been FUN. Hopefully our offense will get things together as other teams get in sync and we can still keep up a positive +/-.
Our other reserves (Windler, Wade) will be getting their chance this weekend, I’m sure.
100% agree Charlie great stuff!
Fantastic write up! Celebrating 3 in a row and canāt wait to see us take this show to the Lakers! Go Cavs!
Thanks for reading Jacob! ITS SHOWTIME CAVS NOW BABY!!
when is the last Cavs three game win streak? Hope I am asking about 4 soon!
Love those shoutouts baby!!! Really think competent play could be here to stay. We have 8 quality nba guys that more or less fit together. Still think lots of growing pains are in the cards but not without plenty of positives!
Wish we would roll with Cedi, Stevens, Windler, or Wade a bit (8 man rotations are pretty crazy for the reg season) but Iām sure injuries will necessitate it at some point
Yup, totally agree DanK!
I think Windler, Wade, and Stevens definitely deserve their shots… Stevens got his, need Wade and Windler to get theirs.
Man, I couldnāt even stay up to watch the game – let alone write a full recap after. Kudos Chris!
Another shocking box score. Canāt believe the Cavs only held them to 79 points. Excited to watch the highlights and how this team responds now that they are āon the mapā and may not catch teams off guard anymore. Fridayās game should be fun.
LMFAOOO thanks Vintage!!! The Cavs’ W got me thru before morning!!! LMFAOOOO
Cavs defense is legit… Paul George gave them a shout out last night.
Yup, teams are gonna go after the Cavs more consistently now, they’ve held up though I think they can at least be competitive!