Live Thread: Cavs @ Heat
2022-03-11Good evening CtB!
Tonight is the first of two massive clashes among the Eastern Conference elite, with the Cavs taking on the Miami Heat along the shores of Biscayne Bay. Both teams impose their wills with elite defense and clutch shooting. Unfortunately for the Cavs, the defense has taken massive losses with injuries to Ricky Rubio and now Jarrett Allen. Reclaiming that defensive identity has been the recent challenge for this young Cav team.
Miami has been on an absolute tear since the beginning of February. They’re healthy and winning, although they just suffered a brutal loss at home to the Phoenix Suns without their leader Chris Paul. They’ll be looking to avenge that poor effort against the Suns and keep their grips on the top seed for the playoffs.
Statistical keys to the game
The Heat are an elite passing team, top three in the NBA in assist rate. Their ball movement, shotmaking, and tenacious attitude on the boards will give the Cavs all they can handle. What can the Cavs do to counter? Create turnovers and run. The Heat are among the NBA’s worst at taking care of the ball. They are also one of the slowest paced teams in the NBA. The Cavs will have chances to get their hands in passing lanes and avoid playing against the Heat’s half-court defense. The other key is obviously the Cavs’ weakness, defensive rebounding. The Cavs will need to win the rebounding battle on both ends of the court to stay in the game. This game is a quintessential “dawg vs. dawg” game, who can be grittier, tougher, more competitive?
Tip off is scheduled for 8:00PM ET and will be broadcasted live on Bally Sports Ohio/Great Lakes, Go Cavs!
recap up!
We played pretty decent half court defense in 3 quarters. We gave them 17 turnovers…i think they scored over 30 points off turnovers. If Isaac Okoro doesnt come back next season with the ability to hit corner threes I will be livid. They guarded Rondo tighter on the perimeter than him.
That sucked, but they got their one win
That lousy call likely does it.
Think these Butler foul shots may finish it…
I hate watching Okoro shoot the ball. Makes me physically sick. The guy has zero touch
Tucker sure fouls a lot without getting called.
He play good D on the perimeter but are definitely not the best at recovering when broken down. This one could have been a win had the cavs not gone zombie for 7 mins in the 3rd. Caught them on a not too good night.
After that period in the 3rd, Cavs have been unable to stop them scoring. Butler & Bam.
Okoro, nifty pass.
Used to love Dipo, but after what he pulled in Indy, I dislike.
Think he may be washed…next season will tell…
Gah. U gotta make dipo score.
Nice feed dipo.
Last roll of the dice.
How has Dedmon not fouled out? Nm, he fouled out…
Argh Lowry walked so blatantly.
PASSING CHIPS DG AND RONDO!!! MOBLEY HELLUVA GAME!!!
Dedmon is a goony bird.
Feels like Dedmon has 8 fouls…
We have so many holes. Yes, injuries are killing us. But we do not have a playable backup PG, a playable healthy C, and we have issues with having 2 way wings.
Time for a classic huge fourth-quarter by mobes
Pick lotto numbers for me.
Nice pump fake Mobley!
Raptors up narrowly at the half in Phoenix.
If they can start off the 4th with a little run to get it to 6-7, I believe we have a chance.. but these first few minutes are make or break.
DG 3/14 from the field, he shoots normal and this is a game
Dumb shot by the Heat. They are a good team but discipline is lacking.
Is Goodwin injured or something?
He’s hobbled by a JB brain injury.
I mean, if a guy cannot get minutes with the Lakers……
Good point!
Dipo looks really, really, really rusty…at best…
5 dunks by Miami this quarter and a few 3’s.. can’t be giving the top team in the East easy buckets at home like this..
Too much giveaway…
Wtf are we trying to do on offense? Like really is there a vision for how the plays will finish?
Gotta claw back…..yet again.
These careless turnovers will finish the Cavs…
It’s not over, but that felt similar to a nail in the coffin.
Thanks Rondo … Gimme goodwin plz
Rondon’t.
JFC Rondo
Jfc Cavs
Rescued by Love, again.
Not smart, Lamar…
Too much pounding the rock by DG.
DG is a wizard, but he’s tried a few impossible passes tonight…
For sure, but hard to fault him too much. having to carry the offense.
Agreed. But it has been a problem all year, not just lately.
He (and we) still turn it over way too much.
I am on team stealth tank. Get us a lotto pick and some help. We have no shot this year.
Playoff mins will be too valuable to pass up for this crappy draft