Recap: Celtics 89, Cavs 91 (or, Mobley MVP Campaign)
2021-11-14The Cleveland Cavaliers pull off a furious fourth quarter comeback against the floundering Boston Celtics, riding the MVP-caliber performance of rookie sensation Evan “The Professional” Mobley (h/t to CtB commentator bw). The Cavs had no business winning this game, shooting sub-40% from the field and getting outrebounded by eight. But the only statistic that matters is the win, and the Cavs put together a masterful defensive performance in the second half, holding the Celtics to 37 points after halftime. Let’s dive into last night’s takeaways…
Game MVP: Evan Mobley
Mobley showed last night how he can take over a game on both ends of the court. He poured in 19 points with elite efficiency, snagged nine rebounds, tallied five stocks, and led all starters with a +18.7 net rating. His net rating for the second half was +53.8! Two of the most memorable moments of the game Mobley authored were going head to head with Jayson Tatum and winning, with a clutch post up and chasedown block of the All-Star, All-NBA player.
Your NBA Rookie of the Year through 14 games, Evan Mobley. Over his last 5 games: 19.6 PTS, 7.4 REBS, 2.2 AST, 1.8 BLK, 1.0 STL, 62% from 2, 43% from 3 and wins over the Celtics, Knicks, Raptors and Pistons. 20 years old yet impacting winning all over the court already. pic.twitter.com/7Zze7IlB21
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) November 14, 2021
Game Co-MVP: The Cavs’ bench mob
Coach J.B. Bickerstaff asked Mobley and the bench to save this game, and they delivered. The grouping of Mobley, Cedi Osman, Ricky Rubio, Denzel Valentine, and Dylan Windler changed the entire game with their defensive effort. They were the most used five-man lineup in the second half, and turned in a most absurd net rating of +114.3! That’s not a typo.
A special shoutout should go to Valentine, who saw the first meaningful minutes of the season the past two games. While he wasn’t able to do much on offense, Valentine put in a professional effort on defense, displaying toughness and physicality that the Cavs needed after getting bullied in the first half of the game. Also, another special shoutout should go to Ricky “Spanish Fly” Rubio. Where would this team be without his competitive fire and basketball intelligence? No way they win this kind of game without Rubio’s desire to win.
J.B. pushes the right buttons
Credit is due to Bickerstaff for having the courage to ride the bench mob until exhaustion and limiting the minutes of a few Cavs who struggled in this game: Isaac Okoro, Dean Wade, and Jarrett Allen. Some nights guys just don’t have it, and Bickerstaff pushed the right buttons to get the Cavs back into the game and steal it. Bickerstaff clearly has buy-in from every player, and the relentless focus on team success paying dividends. Allen and Darius Garland stayed ready even though they rode the bench awhile in the second half, and were able to help close the game out in the final minutes.
Quick note on the Celtics
Wow, the Celtics are a disaster. They have a terrible bench (thank you President Stevens!) and head coach Ime Udoka has been, at best, a lukewarm hire especially in comparison to someone such as Wes Unseld, Jr. During the game on NBA Twitter, the phrase “it seems like the Celtics’ players hate playing with each other,” seems to ring true as everyone watched the collapse in real-time. Right now it appears just as likely Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown will request a trade versus the Celtics being a playoff contender. How far have things fallen for the Celtics, on the brink of the NBA Finals to a struggling .500 squad?
Next up: Cavs vs. Celtics, Part Two
In a weird scheduling quirk, the Cavs will run this game back against the Celtics tomorrow night at 7:00pm ET on the shores of Lake Erie. It will be a test of character for both squads… will the Celtics come out with some fight after a devastating loss? How will the young Cavs handle success? Tune in, find out… GO CAVS!
live thread posted if you want to head over!
It is difficult to judge valentine’s potential based on his minutes so far this year. He could be a really good practice rook who seems to be rushing things and in a shooting slump and all of a sudden end up a sharp shooter when things slow down for him, or he could be a chucker who is gone within a couple seasons. But what I did see him do multiple times on defense during this game was run the heck through screens. Give me a defender willing to muscle through bad screens and I will show you a player… Read more »
good observation, although I think he has been around for a few years.
He is not a rookie. He played out his rookie deal in Chicago. This is year 4 or 5, I think.
well that changes things lol. I swear I heard the cavs announcers even call him a rookie live…
I thought Valentine’s pair of triples loomed huge. Sometimes when everyone is afraid to shoot, you need someone who is so dumb on offense he’ll never get in his own head with doubt. He’s this team’s Jordan Clarkson. Hope the Cavs can channel it.
Definitely true, and good point LMFAOOO as long as he brings it on defense I cant get mad for letting him cook on offense
Of his many flaws, bashfulness is not one.
Which can be a good thing.
For sure. I don’t think it works all of the time or most of the time with guys like that that. But sometimes when your team has the yips on offense you gotta roll the dice.
Thanks for the recap, Chris. Fantastic stuff.
Thank you Nate! That was f***** fun last night LMFAOOOOO
Also, forgot to mention: Schroeder said after the game that they thought they could pick on Cedi, and that’s what that last shot was designed to do. Schroeder said, correctly, that Cedi made a nice defensive play. It’s kind of unbelievable how good Cedi has been so far, after being just bad most of last year. And Jabari Parker may be the worst player in the NBA. He looks like what I would imagine a 50 year old Iso Joe who has been out of the league 15 years would look like if you just plopped him on an NBA… Read more »
The problem with that plan is that they used Schroder instead of Tatum, who has a massive length advantage over Schroder.
Big mistake!!! Bad coaching, better luck next time!
Incredible win against such an unlikable team, especially with that beyond putrid start. Valentine did play decent defense, and that’s why he was out there. But he is still a terrifying presence on the other end, always a threat to take a truly terrible shot that can cost his team the game. I was super relieved when they brought Allen back in late. I was delighted when the Cavs grabbed Rubio, but he has exceeded every expectation. At least early in the season, it’s almost like bringing in an All Star caliber player. Will be interesting to see the rematch… Read more »
MAYBE VALENTINE IN CERTAIN SPOTS // LIMITED MIN’S CAN ALSO BE A PLUS FOR THE CAVS —-STILL AGREE FREE WINDLER AND ALSO “TACKO ” ——-THE SKY IS THE LIMIT FOR ” MOSES ” MOBES —–JUST PLEASE KEEP THIS KID HEALTHY —WANT TO SEE HIM REACH HIS FULL POTENTIAL WHATEVER THAT IS
Watching JB press conference, talking Denzel Valentine:
“I know where he comes from, those Michigan State guys got toughness and grit”
Damn great point JB, also funny that Gilbert been trying to steal Izzo from MSU forever LMFAOOOO
I read the other day on the Ringer that the first ten games of the season as far as win/loss record goes are not indicative of how the season will unfold.
The threshold was 17 games taking into account point differential and 25 games when looking plain wins/losses.
So a bit more patience and we will see if the team is actually good and not a fluke, although I don’t see anything fluky.
yup, stats are stabilizing…. defense is definitely not a fluke, the offense will be interesting sans Sexton.
Just watched the game and I’m not sure how we won. The Celtics are a disaster, but you have to have no quit to come back from 19 down late in the third quarter. Mobley is just wow. He reminds me of Garnett and he has the killer midrange game of Anthony Davis. He also has range out to the three point line. On defense, well he is a one-man defense. Largely the same team last season was, if I’m not mistaken, one of the worst defensive teams of all time and now we are legit winning with defense. And… Read more »
Yup, only two players that come to mind making an impact like Mobley as a rookie are Luka and LeBron.
Missed the game as well but thanks for the recap. Been enjoying the highlights and Mobley’s “beyond his years” level of play.
I must say… I have also been impressed by JB Bickerstaff. Last year, I really thought he would be just another coach in the CavsDan carousel. The level of buy-in from the players and the defensive effort has me very surprised and optimistic that JB can continue to grow alongside this young team.
He’s definitely a great defensive coach and the ultimate players’ coach.
Really the only quibble I have this year are lineup combos as it relates to the offense, but can’t really complain since the defense first principle is working to perfection.
Still though, FREE WINDLER!!!!!!!
THANK YOU CLF—-WASN’T ABLE TO SEE GAME OR REPLAY SO I ENJOYED THE HIGHLIGHTS —WAS WONDERING HOW VALENTINE PERFORMED —-THE BOX SCORE DIDN’T INDICATE ANY IMPRESSIVE OFFESIVE SHOWING BUT GLAD HE STEPPED UP ON THE DEFENSIVE SIDE ———-THE 2 OTHER HIGHLIGHTS WERE ANGEL GRAY GETTING THE GAME BALL AND THE ” WE MISS YOU ALOT ” EVIL GENIOUS SUBMITTING A POST —–DON’T STAY AWAY SOOOOO LONG EVIL —-GO CAVS !!!
Thanks for reading NOMAD as always!
Thanks for mentioning Angel Gray and EG!!! Both goated!!!