Live Thread: Cavs @ Timberwolves
2021-12-10The Cavs travel north to the Land of 10,000 Lakes to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves, currently a play-in team desperate for a win to snap a four game losing streak. The Cavs are embarking upon the first game of a back to back, and the last leg of the five games in a week stretch. Logic would suggest that this a game the Cavs should win, so tonight is a chance for the Cavs to play under the weight of some expectations.
The Cavs come into the game as healthy as ever, Collin Sexton notwithstanding. Reportedly Dylan Windler’s on G League assignment, otherwise everyone else is available. For the Timberwolves, it is rumored Patrick Beverley is a go, while D’Angelo Russell’s availability is doubtful.
This game will feature a massive matchup of Karl-Anthony Towns vs. Jarrett Allen, two of arguably the top five centers in the NBA today. But that’s not all, Darius Garland will matching up against one of the premier perimeter defenders in the NBA, the aforementioned Beverley. This game will also feature two of the best young players in the game today, Evan Mobley vs. Anthony Edwards. It should be an exciting chess match on the court tonight.
What also can’t be forgotten is that this will be a homecoming game for two of the Cavs’ veterans, Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love. Although Coach J.B. Bickerstaff has said the guys don’t think about anything other than taking care of business, these players are human and it wouldn’t surprise anyone if Rubio or Love want to make their mark on this game against their former team.
Tip off is scheduled for 8:00PM ET and the game will be broadcasted by Bally Sports Ohio/Great Lakes.
If this team keeps playing like this for another two months then its legit. Not saying I don’t enjoy this, its about time, but teams will eventually make adjustments and such and there could be a grind out game that doesn’t really fit this team perfectly yet. Also want to see them win against true contenders which they really haven’t done, if sparingly. Looking at standings now, think Cavs are legit top 5 in EC and really Nets/Bucks/Heat are better (yes I know Cavs crushed Heat) and then its toss up with Cavs/Wiz/Hawks/Bulls. I wonder how legit Bulls are, think… Read more »
Agreed–but of all things a team can adjust to, teams cannot grow taller or longer. They may trade for those players, but the Cavs bigs as a unit are special, both in how they move/rotate and how they enjoy playing together. ESPN recently had a Success Sustainability article that utilized some metrics of their own, and Cleveland was the second-most likely team to continue surpassing preseason expectations (Golden State was #1). The Cavs are not in the Bucks/Nets world when those teams are 100% healthy, and who knows what they will do to make themselves even better. What should the… Read more »
Agree with your analyses, Leo, but I don’t think we have to crack that top four to be “legit.” I told my daughter (for a 10-year-old girl, the most loyal, knowledgeable Cavs fan you will ever meet) at the start of the season to be prepared for another painful rebuild with lots of moral victories and finding small joys in watching young players develop. Now, I’m telling her not to put too much stock in Basketball Reference projecting us as the 3rd spot in the East as I think we’re probably a more realistic 5 or 6 seed. I mean,… Read more »
Prior to the recap landing, if anyone didn’t catch the game – just watch the first 4 and a half minutes. Cavs go up 20-4, DG distributing to JA. Mobley and Lauri wreak havoc with Okoro there to assist.
Stay longer if you would like to watch KLove slowly, like an old school diesel engine, warm into his long-range bomber support mode.
Mobley got homered a bit tonight with foul calls or we’d have won by 35. Loved JB’s decision to take him out and rest him completely for tomorrow’s (or today’s now) game though. And rested Allen a bit too. Hopefully the home crowd brings it
there’s a rumor going around about a three team:
Brooklyn gets Sabonis
Indiana gets Simmons
Philly gets Kyrie
just gossip but it’s a VERY interesting trade….
That would either be Indiana being suicidal, or trying to bank credit for future trade partners. Cuz good lord I wouldnt touch simmons with a 39 1/2 foot pole. Sabonis is twice as valuable as simmons.
yup, agreed… people thought Brooklyn would say no to this but I actually think they’d say yes 100%!!! LMFAOOOOOO
I would not touch Kyrie or Simmons.
I hate that trade. Philly gets no help (Kyrie cannot play). Indy gets worse. The Nets make out like bandits.
Bulls signed Fonzie on an hardship exception.
Henry Winkler has an underrated elbow jumper
Sit on it, Scotchie! ;)
Although we probably need a 2-guard more, I thought we might sign McKinnie with a DPE for Sexton.
In other ridiculous news…Giannis went 15/19 for 41 with 17 boards and 5 dimes against a streaking rockets team that actually pushed the Bucks. They’re gonna be a nightmare if theyre healthy by the end of the year
Yep. DiVicenzo is close. Lopez is gonna be a while. Bucks are 12-1 in games where Giannis, Jrue, & Middleton all play (I think, might be more wins, but only 1 loss).
They are clear favorites in the East if Kyrie does not play.
Kyrie is obviously good but he would not be a factor imo coming back for the Nets this year. The amount of lost continuity by the time that could happen would destroy what the nets have going with their current guards and Kd.
But know what?? We have dwade anyway. Durant stopper lol
DG’s assist ratio is 44.4 tonight (NBA average 17.3)
Rubio, Cedi, Love all hit above average too tonight.
Tovs and ast/tov ratio are the next step.
And it doesn’t need to be much. Curb it by 2-3 a game for a bit. The ratio is actually not the problem they get plenty of assists. It’s those times when they go through 3-5 possessions with 3 in a row
Ideally needs to be more than 2 to 1. Closer to 3 to 1.
Yes I guess what I meant was they need to find ways to stop the in a row style turnovers and the ratio will solve itself. They’re going to get 25+ assists just based on how the offense works. But if they had a few go to plays after turnovers to turn to…that don’t have to be complicated…they could prevent the mini runs from other teams and maintain the monster leads for even longer
yup, that’s what’s costing the Cavs in the games against real contenders, Bucks, GSW Nets,Jazz…. unfortunately young players tendency is to make mistakes, but DG’s not just any player.
And what’s even better is that now he doesn’t let mistakes get in his head, he moves on and keeps grinding and competing.
Lauri’s true shooting tonight is 107% LMFAOOOOOOOOO
Cavs win their 9th game on the road in 14 tries… last season, they finished with a total of 9 wins on the road… 9-27… let that sink in…
damn that’s insane, truly mindblowing they’re going into the weakest part of their schedule the rest of the year!!!!
There really cannot be an accurate comparison between last year and this year. Mobley’s nickname could be The Difference. They are now casually eradicating beatable teams. I feel as though I wandered back to 2009 with all these cuts, dunks and drained threes. When Mobley unleashes the Kracken, I will truly be home.
Kracken sighting!
Mobley probably is the major difference. But Garland has improved a ton, the Markkanen experiment seems to be working, Osman is a different player, and Allen is back to form or better.
Oh and we have one of the best playmakers in the league in rubio.
Rubio and a healthy, engaged Love off the bench help too.
As does the lack of a hockey style 2nd unit.
well said
Late to the party, had to work.
Another win where we had a 30 pt lead. Incredible.
Really nice to see Ice have a good game. Big Finnish/Marksmannen had a great night. JA says KAT who? Love 18/13/4 in 23 min. DG with a double double on 50% from the field.
Kings lose a tough one to the Hornets 124-123… they should be pretty tired tomorrow night…
Going 3-2 in 7 days would be a helluva feat!!!!
With Jazz/Bucks the losses and dang near beating the Jazz and right with the Bucks mid 4th.
yup, and the offense is improving!!!
LOL
34 dimes… insane
holy crap….. that’s a shit ton LMFAOOOOOo
9-5 on the road now… good stuff
I was trying to figure out how they are 9-5 on the road and 6-7 at home. Then I realized, they are 6-4 at home with Mobley, and 0-3 without him, and 9-4 on the road with Mobley, and 0-1 without him. In other words, it’s better to track Mobley (15-8) and Not Mobley (0-4) than home and away.
Edwards with the -32… rough!
Sorry i missed rhis game wirh u guys
We missed ya!
Great TEAM victory yet again…
Pangos heat check…
WOW PANGOS FROM DEEP!!!!!!!
Getting spoiled… I’m annoyed the Cavs let them get over 100…
LMFAOOOOOO dream big!!!!
The fun part about the way the team plays is they could probably win games with garland averaging 26 and Allen averaging 25…but they would have to win close games. This is much more spurs style dominance. Totally sustainable.
yup, I think the next level is continuing to up the usage of Allen and Lauri, could become an offensive juggernaut!
I am thinking Russell, Cousy, Sharman, Heinsohn, Ramsey era Celtics.
Gotta fly, this has been another fun one. Not taking it for granted! Laters…
Good to hang Simmo!
have a great day Simmo!
TACKO BULLY BALL!
TACKO TIME!
TACKO… AND ONE!
the three bigs under 30 minutes, DG and Okoro @ 31, very nice heading into tomorrow!!!!
Kings are on a back to back traveling too!
Cavs with 7 of the 8 rotation guys in double digits…
Tacko is so tall!
Too tall to Fall…
HOOOOOOO PANGOS NICE FINISH!
Nice scoop and score by Pangos…
Why is KAT still in?
To improve his stats
Such a soft C…
It is known.
Feels like their coach is doing it for punishment??? LMFAOOOO
Ah that (i.e. punishment) is another possibility! Was thinking more the stats padding / score pride thing. BTW I should have scoured this live thread and your preamble before writing my recap, my whole intro was a little useless / repetitive in the light of what you had already written.
Timberwolves still with their starters. Pathetic
I feel almost bad for this Wolves team…
Anyone know why Tacko hasn’t seen any action in awhile, until now?
He is a 2 way player, so with the Charge. Was the G-League player of the week once.
Lauri sitting on the bench, massive grin on his face.
Garland 12 points, and still crazy good. DG+Mobes+JA=Big Three…
Yes TACKO!
It may be Valentime!!
Minnesota commentators on Jarrett: “ like taking candy from a baby right now“
Cavs are a menace to any team they face. Beware!
Time to empty the bench JB!
OH MY GOD WHAT A PASS CEDI!!! JA SLAM!
Love with 18/13/4 and a block!