Live Thread: Rockets @ Cavs
2021-12-15Good evening CtB!
Tonight the Cavs take on one of the hottest teams in the Association over the past 10 games, the Houston Rockets. The Cavs themselves are one of the hottest teams in the Association as well, with a top 5 offense and defense over the last 10 games. In spite of how the Rockets’ record looks, this should be a high level, competitive basketball game.
As competitive as the Rockets have been recently, this is simultaneously the ultimate trap game because how many guys are out for the Rockets. Here is the list of players that are out for Houston:
So, no homecoming game for KPJ, and no rookie superstar matchup with Jalen Green. Also, the Rockets will be missing key starters Christian Wood and Eric Gordon, both of whom have been driving the recent winning streak along with Garrison Matthews.
This is the type of game that a championship team wins by double digits, because of the overwhelming talent gap between the two teams. But the Cavs have a little bit of their own injury concern with Evan Mobley, who took a nasty fall a few games ago and is now dealing with a sore hip. It wouldn’t be surprising to give Mobley the night off, but hopefully it’s nothing more than a little fatigue and soreness. Even so, the Cavs are obvious favorites and should be looking to put away Houston early to maximize their edge against the upcoming game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Tip off is scheduled for 7:00PM ET and will be broadcasted on Bally Sports Ohio/Great Lakes. GO CAVS!
Cavs are currently ranked 4th overall in the NBA behind only the Warriors, Jazz, and Suns in basketball reference’s Simple Rating System at 4.95. That’s the best mark in the East. BRef’s projected standings is now simulating the Cavs to win 50 games. That’s crazy. https://www.basketball-reference.com/friv/playoff_prob.html FiveThirtyEight’s player and team ELO predictions now has the Cavs projected to win 45 and 48 wins respectively. This is blowing my mind. A non LeBron Cavs team being this good. https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2022-nba-predictions/ The projections are further validated because of the Cavs strength of schedule so far, which many outlets have ranked number 1 or… Read more »
Dont be surprised when the cavs finish #2 in the East. Or #1 if the nets stay put with Kyrie and the Bucks continue to have poor health. The Bucks are likely to finish first if healthy…but the nets have a difficult schedule the rest of the way and are not likely to stay on their current wins pace.they are getting unreal contributions from unlikely sources like Patty Mills and several rooks or young guys. Anyone remember the first season of Kareem?
It’s real and it’s spectacular!!!
Lakers pull it out in OT…beat Mavs without Luka, grats….
Austin Reaves goes 5-6 from deep including the game winning 3 with seconds left.
Undrafted (I think) out of Whichita State.
Bucks up 20 on Indy. Yikes.
If we want to catch them, we are gonna have to do it ourselves.
I think they’ll continue to be hungry and it will be a competitive game even if they lose. However, if the bucks have as many guys missing as it looks like they will, the cavs have a very very good chance of winning.
Cavs have a good chance at winning regardless. The Bucks D is better than most but the cavs are on their level for a regular season game. I don’t see us winning a series against them but we don’t need that much to fall on our favor to win one game.
It took Okoro 23 games to make 10 three-pointers. And 3 of those were in one game. Now the first half of those, he was a reserve. But,
He has made 10 in the last 4 games. 1/3, 2/3, 4/8, 3/3. 10/17.
sexton will be traded this year.. cavs may as well strike while the iron is hot.. they can add a piece that may perhaps push the team into the late rounds, and perhaps beyond.. no reason not to push the sexton chips into the center of the table this year.. there is a trade out there that will make sense..
IDK, coming off a meniscus tear, his value will be at an all-time low, I would think.
I think we are hoing to see how ICE develops. If he sustains anywhere near his play in the last couple games, then we no longer have an issue at 2 guard.
Still, I want to have a longer look at Rubio, Sexton, Cedi, Love, Mobley second units.
Coming off the knee, and entering RFA, yeah, not much trade value, I’d expect…
Regarding Sexton, we were 7-4 in games he played in. So, it is not like we could not win with him starting.
But if Okoro continues to play like this…..he has to start. If he can be a passable shooter from deep, and teams have to honor him, lookout.
As of now there is only 4 teams that has more wins than us! Who would’ve thought!!?!?!??!?!?!!
Let’s go Cavs!!
Dallas playing that trash Laker team is fun…Dallas up 7…
W/o Luka lol!
After next year LeBron can come back & play on the second unit with Rubio & Love.
As long as he’s not expecting starter minutes…
well, LBJ does like playing with old guys. This is not totally out of the question, because he has to think about how his career will end, and winning a couple with the Cavs would look a lot better than helping the Lakers stink up LA. However, I would prefer someone with less drama. If he comes back and plays for the minimum, I’m on board.
No thank you. He would rip the team chemistry apart in 2 seconds. Not even on the court necessarily. He doesn’t need a chip or two…he would like a chip or two. I want the team hungry.
Is there a chance we catch the Bucks -Giannis??
I know this blog knows this, but enjoy every second of this season. Expectations and “acquiescing” to Mobley / DG will come. This team is pure joy and none of the bad stuff.
Go Cavs
Temporarily, we can catch them tonight if they lose. Lopez is out for a good while (back surgery). Giannis is in health & safety protocols at the moment. Middleton tweaked his knee last game and is not playing tonight. DiVicenzo still out (but close).
So, down 4 starters? Yeah, we likely catch them. When Giannis, Middleton, & DiVicenzo start playing again? Gonna be tough to stay ahead.
Haha. Sry I meant for the game Saturday!
If Giannis is still out, I think that game is a coin flip. Giannis and Middleton our, we might even be favored by a few