Recap: Sixers 118, Cavs 114 (or, Let Them Cook!)

In an intense, playoff atmosphere the Cavs weren’t able to close the deal as they fall to the Philadelphia 76ers 118-114. This was a game of runs as the Cavs put together a furious 3rd quarter onslaught to make it a game, but just ran out of gas in the end. Let’s dive in…

1. LET THEM COOK J.B.!!!

For. The. Lead.@goodysav | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/entkfGSfsh

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) March 17, 2022

The only reason this was a game was thanks to the bench unit of Caris LeVert, Brandon Goodwin, Dylan Windler, Kevin Love, and Moses Brown. So, why didn’t Windler, Goodwin, Love, and Brown get more run? (LeVert was on a minutes restriction.) They were the only ones getting after it defensively. Their net rating in their six minutes on the court was +125.2, but they were only the third most used lineup in the game. Too much of a good thing, J.B.?

2. Sleepwalking on defense

Conversely, it was a disappointing defensive effort from the starting crew, top to bottom. To their credit they played some elite offense, which was fun to watch. But when it came to winning time, there was no defensive dawg to be found. If Coach J.B. Bickerstaff were willing to let the some of the backups cook longer, perhaps they would’ve had the energy and motivation to get after it defensively.

3. The Windler Agenda undefeated

Dylan Windler’s net rating tonight: +51.3, 11 minutes.
Isaac Okoro’s net rating tonight: -21.0, 41 minutes.
Lamar Stevens’ net rating tonight: -23.9, 19 minutes.

The eye test said Windler was getting after it on defense consistently and the other two were not. Not sure what J.B.’s excuse is about this.

4. Moses Brown with a helluva debut

pic.twitter.com/pIvW1erWzV

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) March 16, 2022

The 22 year old New York City native and UCLA product made the most of his opportunity with suffocating defense (three stocks) and the ability to finish at the rim (4-6 shooting). He is an extremely raw talent, but his length and strength are undeniable. He makes Joel Embiid look small! He’s a little wild, which scares J.B., but he absolutely deserved to cook longer given how the game was going on the defensive end. There’s no question he earned more minutes so long as he’s on the team.

5. One more thing, LET THEM COOK J.B.!

OK, the frustation seems to be going away.

6. Quick note on the Sixers

Yeah, the Sixers cooked the Cavs, but their defense really isn’t all that either. And in the three contests, the Cavs have been in it for two games in a row now, they’re improving. Unfortunately, history has shown that having Jarrett Allen doesn’t really help with Joel Embiid, though perhaps it’s at least another body to wear Embiid down. And now, J.B. has to figure out a better plan for James Harden, because Isaac Okoro and Lamar Stevens aren’t the answer to that question. The Cavs get one more chance to get over the hump.

7. The Playoff Picture

As of the time of this writing, the Cavs are now tied with the Toronto Raptors for the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. That’s the bad news. The good news is that they’re still only 2.5 games from the fourth seed as the Chicago Bulls are joining the Cavs in the freefall. But it appears there’s a top four of Philly, Boston, Miami, and Milwaukee who are running away with home court advantage. The Cavs will face the Denver Nuggets next, smack dab in the middle of their five game homestand before a huge road game against the Raptors.

It’s a dream come true that these young Cavs are experiencing pressure games down the stretch of the season. All in all, they went toe-to-toe with a legit championship contender while missing their All-Star center. If there’s someone that needs to step it up during the stretch, it’s J.B. Bickerstaff and the coaching staff. The lineups and rotations are their responsibility, they need to let guys cook when they’re rolling… simple as. Go Cavs!