Live Thread: Cavs @ Raptors
2021-11-05Good evening CtB!
Tonight the Cavs are across the border in Toronto, Ontario for an important early conference matchup against the Raptors. Some thought that the Raptors would really miss Kyle Lowry, but they’ve come out of the gates strong with a 6-3 record. OG Anunoby, Fred Van Vleet, and rookie of the year candidate Scottie Barnes have led their team’s great start. The Cavs will have their hands full on the road.
For the Cavs, Isaac Okoro has already been reported out for the game due to his nagging hamstring injury. There has been no news about Kevin Love or Lauri Markkanen, so it’s safe to assume they’ll be unavailable as well. Dylan Windler and Dean Wade were excellent filling in last game against the Portland Trail Blazers so it would be reasonable to expect some minutes for the duo tonight.
The question for the Cavs tonight is, “Do they want more?” 5-4 is a good record to start, far better than the expectations heading to the season. But do they want to be more than a .500 team? Do they want to go to another level? Or are they really just satisfied with being a competitive team? Beating a team such as Toronto on the road would be a real feather in the cap in this early part of the season.
The Cavs are six point underdogs at the time of this writing, and the public heavily siding with a Toronto cover. Tipoff is at 7:30pm ET and will be broadcasted on Bally’s Sports Ohio/Great Lakes… GO CAVS!
Recap is up if you want to head over!
YEAH BUCKAROOO —WE COULD SET UP ‘SHOP ” TOGETHER :-)
simmons needs to follow uncle buck’s lead and get into treatment
BOOGIEEEEEELS —-SOMEWHAT AGREE WITH YOU ON SEXTON——NOT TRYING TO DUMP ON HIM–BUT ALSO IF HE DOESN’T FORCE THE ISSUE / THERE NEVER WOULD HAVE BEEN A JUMP BALL—-WILL KEEP AN OPEN MIND WITH SEXTON —-HOPING HE “BUYS ” INTO HIS ROLE —–HIS 25 PPG ARE OVER // HE NEEDS TO REALIZE THIS AND NOT FORCE TRYING TO GET HIS SHOTS// POINTS / PLAY WITHIN THE CHEMISTRY OF THE OFFENSE ——16 PPG AND BECOMING A MORE ROUNDED PLAYER IS MORE IMPORTANT TO THE TEAM AND ALSO WILL BE NEGOTIATING RIGHTS FOR HIM // CONTRACT TIME // NOT GOING TO GET MAX… Read more »
Finally getting thru replay. Just saw DG bury a pullup DEEP 3 , 7:20 to go in the 3rd. There are moments in some games that are just … the moment has gravity, people notice, it changes things, you remember it etc. the Raps bench all turn their heads to look at DG as he jogs back to the defensive end. Respect written on their faces.
I think it is safe to say DG is back.
I missed the pivotal 3rd quarter so will try to follow your lead Simmo, can’t wait to see that sequence. Wondering also what was the key to slowing Raptor offense in second half
GOOD SOLID ROAD WIN —EVEN THOUGH J.B. TRIED TO LOSE IT WITH SEXTON IN THE LINE UP AND THEN TO TOP IT OFF ALLOWING HIM TO HAVE IT AT SUCH A CRUCIAL MOMENT AS HE- (SEXTON )– TRIED WHAT HE ALWAYS DOES TO PLAY “HERO ” BALL AND FORCE SOMETHING THAT ISN’T THERE —WTF J.B. WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO LEARN –BUT HEY DON’T WANT TO BE A DEBBIE DOWNER —GLAD FOR THE ‘W”
Knew there would be a lot of people coming after Sexton following this game, but I don’t think it’s fair. I know the bad hero ball plays at the end were tough, but in a game decided by only 1pt it is easy to reason any good or bad play by a single player could have been enough to Win or Lose the game. And, regardless of the play(s) preceding it, if Sexton doesn’t win that jump ball at the end, Cavs lose. So some credit deserved there and all around for just a solid TEAM win missing 3 key… Read more »
Haven’t had time to check stats, but Sexton seemed solid on defense this game. Am I imagining this? Has he been told to raise his D as the offense is spread around more now?
Definitely improved, a couple of prominent brain freezes at beginning of last two games but on the whole tenacious, getting better at sliding through screens, not a lot of cheap perimeter fouls in spite of aggression etc
That matches my feel-pinions.
He also had some pretty other brutal moments earlier that game besides the last two plays. Looking back to earlier in the comment thread I definitely was harder on him this game even before the late fourth qtr. He had some pretty bad defensive miscues and some typical head scratching possessions on offense. He wasn’t godawful defensively this game, but based on some of his mistakes I don’t think he was good either on that end. A sixth man role would definitely take the pressure off him, and would mean he doesn’t necessarily need to be in for those end… Read more »
Cedi is shooting 50% from 3 and leading the team in makes. He HAS to play more. He, DG, and Windler are the only guys shooting well from 3. Everyone else is total crap.
1. Cedi 50.0 (24/48)
2. DG 40.0 (18/45)
3. Windler 37.5 (3/8)
———-
4. Rubio 34.0 (16/47)
5. Allen 33.0 (1/3)
——–
6. Markannen 28.0 (14/50)
7. Sexton 26.2 (11/42)
8. Love 20.8 (5/24)
9. Wade 20.0 (3/15)
10. Stevens 20.0 (1/5)
11. Okoro 20.0 (1/5)
12. Mobley 15.4 (2/13)
Weirdly, this gives me more confidence about our start. It certainly is not the result of a flukey, unsustainably hot start from deep.
My recollection is that Cedi does better when he is not playing too many minutes. I’m thinking not starting, but more rotation minutes.
Markkanen and Love hopefully will regress to their typical averages at some point. That would help immensely. I also don’t expect Cedi to shoot 50% for the season or necessarily even 40% with volume. Would be happy even if he regresses to around 38% though. I would say he should take some of Sexton’s minutes in crunch time, but not too many. I don’t think you want to ask too much. If he can be as efficient as he has in the increased minutes he has played over the last few games, that is ideal. A consistent 20-25 minutes a… Read more »
I like the plan! Although it can wait until a playoff race materializes. For now, give Sexton longer to try to figure it out, and/or figure out how to best use him. Also, keep the older guys from being worn out before playoff time.
Call me crazy, but we might have a shot at winning a round or so in the playoffs! Did I say that??? Who woulda thunk it a month ago?
Playoffs is the time to have best rotation on the floor!
Sexton should regress to the mean as well. He’s missed a decent number of shots he usually cans.
Also love that DG has shot 45 3s so far… so many of we’re clamoring for him to look for his shot more, esp from distance. Glad to see him take some steps forward in that regard
dame is dazed and confused.. 4pt.. 2-13..0-6 on 3s very late in Q4 in tight one with pacers.. feel sad for him.. i think (nah, i know) that he knows its gonna be another long one portlandia.. does he have regrets for not asking out ? of course he does..
Heard reports he may be injured (abdominal/oblique?).
Hopefully these types of games help Sexton look at his game and make some changes. Or
He is gonna have a disappointing next contract. Everyone else is playing inspired ball, he looks the worst out there.
But I have faith he will adjust his role
On the team and make big jump this year.
https://twitter.com/cavs/status/1456806341163503618?s=20
Sorry, comments were disabled for a bit while I was working on something. Fixed now.
Do I subtitle this Allento, Garlando, Evanto, Rubionto, or Osmanto?
Garllevanosto
Mighty Morphin’ Ninja Turtles?
big test coming next 2 games.. knicks and wiz.. perhaps they shock the world
you called it!
Seems the less I watch live, the more Cavs win. Another enjoyable replay awaits!
It’s a good one, Simmo! At least the 2nd half…
Me, too. I only saw the last 4.8 seconds + the highlights. Plus looking at the box score.
Good: We continue to show fight, belief, and are winning games. Winning vs good teams. And vs good teams on the road. And missing rotational guys to boot. 6-4 and 4-3 on the road. Delighted.
Bad. Still turning the ball over way too much.
Ugly. Defensive rebounding. 19 o boards for Toronto. On 57 missed shots. My math says that is 1 of 3.
sexton is going to be demoralized, and will start to press to salvage his position.. not going to be good for anyone.. they need to find a trade partner now.. he has value to many teams, and his value is still significant..
I dunno if he has a ton of value coming off a rookie contract.
Or… let him play through it and don’t change anything because the Cavs are winning. I’m going to give JB the benefit of the doubt until he stops winning. Don’t eff with success.
Agree
I’ll leave the team as it is for now, whole season at max. They love playing with each other. They play as a unit. Our mistakes are common to every young rebuilding team. Let’s see how they react to a streak of losing because it will be inevitable at some point this season. We don’t have something to chase right now and I’m fine with that as long as it gives Mobley a good surrounding to grow.
outscored Toronto 28-19 in the final quarter.
Just a dogfight of a game…Cavs didn’t win too many of these the last few years…
had a good feeling at halftime, couldn’t have played worse and only down 9!!!
the FTs won the game.. need some brass balls to pull those off..
https://twitter.com/oldseaminer/status/1456803330785697796?s=20
DG with 21 and 8… huge 2nd half.
JA with another double double 16/15/3 stocks
Probably a tough one to win with Embiid and Giannis. But Jarret Allen is in the all star discussion.
RE dG – he’s been incredible last two games. The hype in national media raised my expectations. And the last two have restored my faith
love to see it!!!
Allen is an All-Star. Whether he is a starter or not is irrelevant, considering it is left to popular opinion.
big mobes.. franchise genie
His impact for a rookie is way up there based on the eye test.
I think it’s been equivalent to LaMelo last year, which is a superstar trajectory.
I read a Raptors site whose blogger said, based on seeing Mobley for the first time, that he was fine with him winning ROY over Barnes. Yes, Mobley passes the eye test.
Cavs are winning close games on the road and games that they come back from…..
https://twitter.com/oldseaminer/status/1456802034649272322?s=20
Yeah, that almost sucked hard.
Looked like Mobley & Cedi to me. Maybe I need to rewatch.
Whoop whoop!!! Behind for entire game, minus the last 4.8 seconds! Never stopped fighting! Love this squad!!!!!
start osman at the 2.. trade sexton now
Orr, let Osman keep playing the role he’s shined in.
This. But also never have sexton in in crunch time situations or never design out of bounds plays where he gets the ball in hero ball situations or takes the ball out of bounds.
Games like this are exactly why I wouldn’t give Sexton a big chunk of my salary cap…he has way too many stinkeroos like this. Fans of other teams never see these types of games, only see his highlights.
Need to find a sucker gm whose job is in trouble and needs to sell a fanbase a young “star.”
Not with this year’s numbers.
True. Maybe better to just let him walk than to try to boost his value.
nice that cedi is rising from the dead.. i hope he keeps the renaissance going
Wow,that’s a great win!!!!! Lots of mistakes but hung in there on the road.Raptors are tough.
Stevens almost gave away the game by not boxing out Barnes there … shwooh…
If we could get d boards and not turn it over we might not have so many close games.
need some lessons from Kevin Love on the boxouts
is this actually happening? wow
Holy sh*%! I cannot believe we won that game. Yo the cavs might be for real too. Our schedule has been brutal and we’ve played on the road against good teams. Raptors impressed the hell out of me and we beat them in a nailbiter at toronto. Wowser. Best win of the season by far.
Agree, best win so far, imo, was like running through quicksand…
Incredible game…so many highs and lows…
CAVS WIN! CAVS WIN!
JA is boss
Let’s go back and look at the comments when he got the contract — HaHa! Pretty sure I said “it might not be so bad” to the chorus of “Koby is an idiot!”.
Yaaaaddssssssssss!!!!
BYAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CAVS WIN CAVS WIN CAVS WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
f&cking A !!!
DEFENSE DEFENSE DEFENSE!!!!
garland just went up mani-fold for me.. quantum jump
Use that foul to give…please…
Dicey
No dumb fouls.
D!!! Let’s go!
DG has been mostly great tonight…
DG cool as ice. MVP this game if they win.
wow.. clutch FTs.. go DG
DG CLUTCH
This is like a playoff game…
One of the most intense physical regular season games I have seen in awhile.
Make fts. Then defend.
Can they review that?!?
God sexton sucks.
Sexton has been a big minus tonight, but at least he won that tip…
Fair.
Cavs finally get a foul call.
DG to the line…
I think that was a foul but wtf
WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING JB???????????
Sexton got MUGGED, but they’re not calling that. So why is he in?
Mercy…why…
Sexton sucks. Why would you have him in? Brutal jb. Brutal.
X2. Bench him for the rest of the season. Just lost the game x2 trying to play hero bs.
WTF WHY IS SEXTON BACK IN??????????
Not one of Sexton’s better games…
Ugh. Sexton back. Why?
How ’bout Mobes on that drive?
impressive as heck..
Absolutely no quit
Jarrett Allen slices to the rim!
Go for the win. Wind it down. DG coming up huge down the stretch
Holy crap they might steal it!!!!
Grand Theft Hoopball…
Slim Duncan to Jarrett Allen! Frohio in effect!
God, this is a fun team…