Recap: Lakers 131, Cavs 120 (or, It’s Good to be King)
2022-03-22The Cavs fell victim to another vintage LeBron James performance as they lose to the Lakers 131-120, in spite of a MVP effort by Darius Garland. The Cavs lost the hustle (outrebounded by four) and unselfishness (out-assisted by five) battle, allowing the Lakers to play their high paced game. Let’s dive right in…
1. It’s Good to be King
As it was predicted, LeBron James had something special for the hometown crowd posting a 38 point triple double and refused to allow the Lakers to lose. An inadvertent kick to the LeBron’s face by Evan Mobley woke the King up and it was over. The biggest LeBron moment of the night was his high flying dunk over his championship brother Kevin Love, which resulted in some endearing horse play at halftime and on Twitter between the two beloveds. LeBron seems to always have another level he can tap into when moment calls for it, it’s what he’s been doing his whole life. This game was yet another example of LeBron’s ability to will his team to a win.
LeBron caused a kerfuffle during the All-Star Weekend in Cleveland that he wouldn’t rule out a return to the Cavs. Perhaps he can take a buyout from the Lakers, replace Ricky Rubio, and guide Tower City to an NBA dynasty? One can dream!
2. Darius Garland goes toe-to-toe with Greatness
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5OwxnqCqwY
In what has become habit, DG put together another MVP caliber performance with 29 points, 17 assists, only one turnover, and was a +1 plus/minus in 41 minutes. DG had the offense performing at the highest level. The burden DG is carrying for the offense is tremendous, and frankly it’s getting to the point where somebody else needs to step up and/or the coaching staff needs to diversify how the Cavs attack on offense. Also, count yours truly as an advocate for load management. As long as the Cavs’ make the play-in with a healthy DG intact, that should be the goal. The post-season experience does no good if the principle parts can’t perform.
3. Bench woes
This game was really decided by each team’s respective benches, with the Lakers’ bench decisively outplaying the Cavs’ bench. Here’s the rundown on the bench net ratings:
Caris LeVert: -25.6 net rating in 16.3 minutes
Kevin Love: -48.9 net rating in 20.5 minutes
Brandon Goodwin: -66.7 net rating in 7.9 minutes
Cedi Osman: -73.1 net rating in 17.9 minutes
If these guys can’t perform well, the Cavs can’t win. The Cavs were bleeding four points PER MINUTE while Cedi was on the floor, it’s impossible to win with that. In particular, it was the quartet’s defense that was disappointing. Outside of LeVert, the Cavs’ defensive rating among the bench was no better than 150, an obscene number. The loss of Dean Wade looms large for the bench, as he’s one of the best wing defenders in the NBA (ranked #52 in the NBA in defensive EPM among all qualifying players). The strength of the bench has unfortunately eroded with the cumulative effect of injuries, probably the saddest thing about this amazing season. Further, the bench performed so poorly one has to wonder if Coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s rotations and lineups were a contributing factor.
4. What’s J.B. doing?
There were at least two questionable decisions made by J.B. Bickerstaff for this game, leaving aside the Windler agenda for a moment. Why didn’t Moses Brown get more run? He was a +37.5 net rating in his five minutes, and his positive impact was apparent especially on the defensive end. The game clearly could’ve used Brown’s athleticism, physicality, and energy. Secondly, why did the Cavs’ most impactful player of the game, Isaac “Ice” Okoro, only play 29 minutes? He wasn’t in foul trouble, he was perfect from the field (4-4 from three), and led all rotation players with a +20.0 net rating in his minutes. What does Ice have to do differently to stay in the game?
Another questionable decision on J.B.’s part was icing Caris LeVert because of foul trouble. LeVert was part of the second best lineup of the night, but that lineup only received five minutes of run total for the game because of LeVert’s foul trouble in the first half. With the momentum swinging in the Lakers’ favor, J.B. added fuel to the fire by sitting LeVert at a crucial point of the game that allowed the Lakers to stage their comeback. Some times it’s best to just roll the dice.
5. Quick note on the Lakers
The Lakers are probably the highest variance team among current postseason qualifying teams. They’ve been extremely poor this year, especially offensively, yet are capable of a LeBron James’ supernova game that can take out any team in the NBA. Facing a LeBron James team in a one-game elimination scenario still does not sound enticing in spite of James’ advanced age. On the flip side, it seems as though the Lakers’ offseason will be filled with drama should another play-in/playoff flame out happen.
As an aside, the HBO Lakers’ show “Winning Time” is a funny watch if the first episode is any indication. Man did they do Jerry West dirty! John C. Reilly as Dr. Jerry Buss really carries the show. Check it out if one is in the mood for something light-hearted and irreverent.
6. It all comes down to this…
Next up for the Cavs, a two day break before the most important game of the season thus far, a road game against the seventh seeded Toronto Raptors. Should the Cavs win, they make the Raptors’ path to a playoff lock extremely difficult. If the Cavs lose, it opens the flood gates to pandemonium. Damn it’s nice to have meaningful games in March, Go Cavs!
LT up
HOW MANY OF YOU THINK TONIGHTS GAME WILL DECIDE THE ROY BETWEEN MOBES / BARNES ??
Probably mobley’s to lose at this point…but if barnes shows out and Mobley is as invisble as he was in the lakers game barnes could certainly make it interesting. Ugh just mentioning Monday’s game makes me throw up in my mouth a bit
I think the non-Mobley vote (blind men, basketball idiots, acrophobes) will be split between Cade and Barnes. Feel pretty confident Mobley will take it.
Locked On Cavs had an interesting related hypothetical today — if Cade hadn’t been in the draft, Mobley almost certainly would have gone #1 (remember, Detroit was reportedly considering him, even with Cade), then Houston would’ve taken Jalen, and then — assuming Koby was smart enough to avoid the Suggs trap — we would’ve gotten Barnes. I’m as high on Mobley as anyone, but that wouldn’t have been so bad either. He’s got the high-character grit, grind and joy that would’ve fit well with our team, too.
every time I watch Dwight Howard play basketball…I get more upset about the ridiculousness that was the 2009 ECF. What a travesty of variance. That lakers team was a perfect foil to what should have been the first cavs title. Almost identical offensive ratings…cavs had 2 points better defensive rating…and had both young hungry Lebron to check Kobe…and Ben Wallace and Andy Verajao to check Gasol and Bynum as well as a ridiculously good set of shooting forwards in Pavlovic and Szerbiac. The orlando magic were a solid defensive team and a top 10 offensive team…but belonged nowhere near the… Read more »
That Magic team was supposedly the top roid team in NBA history.
Remember how game 6 ended, with a ball rolling out of bounds that was saved by Red (forgot his name), but it was called out. On replay, it was impossible to say if it was out or not, so the call stood, and the Cavs did not get a chance at a game winning shot. That was a close one!
Mike Brown never adjusted schematically. Not once. Not one time. That was when I realized you need at least an above average tactical coach to win a championship.
I’m sorry, did you just call Pavlovic “ridiculously good”?
he did have one great block
Hornets and ATL and Nets losses are all massive for the cavs. A win tomorrow night and Saturday night puts us on a path toward a playoff series. These losses make it much easier.
right. beating TOR and CHI would be HUGE!!!
MIA, IND, BRK, CHA, ATL all lost so far, and LBJ is playing PHI tough at the end of 3.
LBJ is playing?
Nope.
wow! my bad, I just glanced at the scores.
we are currently 9th in the league in differential…living off of the routes we enjoyed while rubio was still around and thriving.
Dreaming of all the improvements our young guys have made pairing with an early to mid-season acquisition of a rejuvenated Rubio around next christmas. it could be sooooo awesome.
Can we somehow turn Levert into a less ball stopping lengthy guard? Cuz he has the potential to be very helpful when he isn’t dribbling the ball into oblivion.
While Rubio has reportedly said he’s interested in joining GSW, it would be freaking awesome if he returned to finish what he started with the Cavs.
As far as I know that was him responding to a reporter’s question about how he felt about them and not him initiating that he definitely wants to join them. Big difference. I am confident even if it costs the cavs 5 wins or so they should retain a roster spot for him. He will definitely want to come back if Love is still here…and Allen and Mobley will be even better. We should remember this next november.
#BRINGBACKRICKY! If Garland is the straw that stirs the drink, Ricky was the hand that swirled the straw!
We desperately need to make the playoffs this season for at least one series specifically becase JB needs the workout/practice. And pointing that out doesn’t mean fans are being overly critical…cuz there are a billion and then another billion details he deals with on a daily basis that we don’t even know exist. But I don’t think he would disagree with the assertion that he has a lot of growing to do regarding how to put his team in position to succeed. We are in basically every game aside from maybe 7-8 this year. That’s awesome. But that’s also the… Read more »
Gotta totally agree (for a change). There are these couple issues that we constantly bring up, such as not going with the hot hand. For example, Moses was playing LBJ real tough in his few minutes. Don’t know if this is a plan or not. On the other hand, JB has the team buying in to a good system, and doing way better than expected, so I am cutting him plenty of slack until I can’t anymore. A series in the playoffs will be a huge step for everyone. And, some national visibility should help get a fairer share from… Read more »
I never think about national visibility being connected to foul calls. That is an angle I didn’t appreciate until you brought it up. Could move Garland from 22 ppg to 27ppg…and Mobley to the Gobert stratosphere of dpoy candidate every season. Well played, Raoul.
Made the trip from Pittsburgh with my son to see the game last night. Great time was had.
Burying LaVert in the midst of an offensive battle was a bad decision. Goodwin is not an NBA level guard.
The real problem during the game was Cedi. I think his games of brilliance are just too offset by these games where he can’t do anything correctly. At one point this season, I’d have suggested that he had taken a major step forward, but now I just think he’s the same often unplayable guy from last year.
NICE!!! Great game to see other than a loss LMFAOOO although seeing LeBron is always crazy!
Right on 100% agree… easier to see those things live too!
Cedi’s defense has cratered this season… and his offensive improvement hasn’t been good enough to make up for that loss. I get JB wants to stick with him cuz he’s a vet but then he needs to switch up his role.
It was my first time in Cleveland in almost thirty years, so it was both of ours first Cavs home game. My eight year old really got hooked on basketball last night. He was excited to see Lebron, but as we walked out kept talking about how DG is his new favorite player. With injuries, this team has no real leadership in the second team and zero defensive capabilities. Love is a steady presence and the only second teamer who can be regularly counted on, but there is no one like Rubio to really take charge. Part of me wants… Read more »
DG is a damn good choice as a favorite player. He’s probably mine, too.
right. DG absolutely beams “good person / happy guy”. he will be one of the most popular players in the NBA in a year or so.
I like that idea, the problem is Okoro figuring out how to score more consistently, I really wish the staff would teach him to post up when other teams hide their PG on him.
Also, find some kind of midrange jumper… wouldve worked on that before the 3 like Stevens did.
That’s freaking awesome about visiting Cleveland, born and spent my youth there but never really been back either!!!
And glad to hear you’re raising him right!!! LMFAOOOOOO
Cedi has been brutal lately. I just dread seeing him get the ball, since I totally expect a boneheaded play/ shot. I only mostly trust him finishing on breaks the last few weeks. Another reason I’d like to see more Windler. JB really wants to see all this usage from the recent Cedi?
It’s just so maddening. He shines these moments of brilliance where he’s playing with confidence and he’s on fire from outside. Just wish he could keep me that flame constantly kindling.
If I think of Cedi less as a potential Manu (kinda saw him in that vein early on before we drafted him) and more as a JR Smith…i can kinda enjoy more what he brings to the table. Remember early this season when the whole team seemingly had covid and he was forced into too big a role and for a couple games he was hitting step-back threes that would make Harden proud? He’s fun as hell. I’ll bet he still ends up in San Antonio or Utah after us and thrives.
He’s a reckless player and just not good enough a shooter. What we saw from him earlier in the season when he was consistently draining above the break threes is about the best we’ve seen from him (and when he was doing that, he was plenty good). But that’s not what he’s been for the bulk of his career.
I’m not looking it up, but I’d bet since January he’s below 20% on above the break threes.
no. that’s likely not right. (also not looking it up lol). But no. Cedi has literally won us at least 3 games since January. He’s just streaky. We cant count on him to go off from the bench every game…but this is where JB should have influence…and what makes Windler’s season so stupid. Maybe Windler needed that stint in the G League…maybe. But there were plenty of games where cedi wasn’t working where Windler could have been his 2nd half replacement. Also I wouldn’t mind seeing Cedi+Windler in the game with DG and Mobley and Love. We know Cedi can… Read more »
I’m not sure where to go for non-subscription service detailed shot information, but just from basketball-reference, Cedi’s January 3p% (not above the break, overall %) was .250 on 72 attempts, February was .429 on 56 attempts, and March (so far) .286 on 49 attempts.
Most of his threes are long attempts above the break, and generally speaking, since December he needs to look for better shots. Virtually all those misses are essentially turnovers.
Yep,the load management aspect is real.DG played great, but looked wiped.Always some curious calls on subs.No Windler just looks more bizarre every game.He’s got a nose for the ball, cuts and hustles even if the shot isn’t dropping.Moses Brown similar, he works.They need that energy this time of year.The odd tendency for JB is that it seems someone gets hot or at least shows some energy for a bit and then they’re out til they’re not hot anymore.Tough watch last night.
agree with that tendency it’s weird, seem too rigid and analytical instead of feel.
he is our Mark Jackson. I will say this until he is finally replaced by Mark Price and we win titles.
is Mark currently coaching?
As far as I know, no…
Not to my knowledge. He was a minor league head coach last I knew. I just think the comparison between he and kerr is funny.
especially since Kerr was Price’s backup for a couple years.
as I recall, Mark’s father was a well known coach in Enid OK.
Price was my favorite growing up…loved those teams…even loved Steve Kerr until he found himself in Chicago with the dark side…and then loved Kerr even more when I found out he might have made MJ so mad he got punched lol. I can’t stand steve kerr now but that’s a whole other thing.
It’s hard for me to criticize JB considering we’ve won 41 games so far with ten games remaining. He has a collection of very young players playing high level basketball and he’s managed keeping the team on a winning path despite a number of injuries and covid. Windler from my perspective looks extremely tentative on the floor. I think JB may be trying to develop his confidence playing in the G league and playing him in situations where he can be successful. I don’t think he has the kind of confidence in himself like a Stevens or Wade that are… Read more »
Definitely, he gets shut up all the critics up now, but expectations will be raised for him as well.
HOW LONG IS RONDO OUT FOR—–THIS CAM YOUNG // CHARGE IS PUTTING UP SOME NICE NUMBERS —25 +PPG // SHOOTING OVER 40 % FROM 3 ??
Despite leading this team to winning record so far – JB’s coaching in game is less than desired and I think that’s his biggest achilles heel and what will be greatly exposed in playoff series, or even play in game. Be very interesting how rest of season pans out and how Cavs approach a playoff series.
JB’s certainly got the big things right: Tower City, DG + Rubio backcourt, moving Love to the bench for health.
But seems like he’s missing on the margins, No Windler, inconsistency for Wade (although injuries may be playing a part), constantly shuffling guys in game. Short bench merchant to a degree.
But he’s young and certainly there’s time for him to grow with the team. Also, he’s been dealt a shitty hand with the injuries to the bench… that’s where the questions are popping up in the first place.
Either he doesnt trust guys outside of DG Mobley and JA…or he doesnt know/understand how to utilize his bench properly…either scenario is not good and will be exposed in the playoffs unless a bench guy or two bails him out
GREAT JOB AND BIG THANK YOU TO CLF !!!—WATCHED THE REPLAY –2 COMMENTS 1)—WATCHED “HOLY ” MOSES SHORT STINT AND AGREE HE DESERVED MORE RUN—-HE ALTERED –(MAYBE NOT BLOCKED ) –AT LEAST 3 SHOTS// BLOCKED 1 // HIS PRESENCE IS FELT ON DEFENSE —-ALSO HUSTLING TO BOTH ENDS OF THE FLOOR// SETTING SOLID PICKS// MAKING HIMSELF AVAILABLE 2) FULLY UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH WE NEED DG IN THERE –BUT AT WHAT EXPENSE —THINK HE IS BEING PUSHED TOO HARD// TOO MANY MIN’S OF LATE—JB HAS TO BE CREATIVE // TRUST OTHER PLAYERS FOR AT LEAST 3 MIN’S AT A TIME—MOBES AT… Read more »
Thanks NOMAD as always (and thanks to MikeO and DanK too! Sorry forgot to acknowledge!)
Minutes in a game less of a concern to me than the strain of back to backs or a bunch of games in a small timeframe. I suppose that there’s more than one way to filet that fish tho LMFAO
And as long as we’re talking back-to-backs, there’s also a third back to think of — Darius’! Those kind of nagging injuries can flare up again with exhaustion.
yeah that’s right!
totally agree NOMAD re: DG, great points! even if we lose those minutes he is on the bench gotta take the long-view with this team and especially its young studs
Also Westbrick is the worst – either complaining or showboating. Just play
Game reminded me of the old days about who was going to be the ‘LeBron stopper’ on the other team. Jae Crowder? Igudala? Milsap? We can safely say its not Markannen. LeBron would decimate our team in a playoff series. Thats ok though
Yup, the guys that surely would’ve drawn the LeBron assignment are JA and Wade… both out.
I would’ve liked to see more Okoro on him.
maybe so!
right. that would have been my plan.
If we face LBJ in the playoffs this year, that will be a good thing!
LMFAO great point!
Thanks Chris for the cap. Going into this game, I had extremely low confidence. If the game was in striking distance late, you knew Lebron was going to take a year off his life if necessary to send yet another FU to Gilbert. Bottom line, without Wade, the Cavs have absolutely no one to pressure Lebron. Their better point defenders are too small, and Lauri has no chance. Lebron had all the room in the world to do whatever he wanted. He could have named his point total. Letting a washed scrub like Augustin light them up was the chef’s… Read more »
yup, both Allen and Wade would’ve definitely gotten the calls to guard LeBron.
Most critical comments J.B.’s made about the team in a long time, can’t really argue about his points either:
Thanks for all the hard work here and excellent recap as always!!! One thing I do wonder though is that the ratings you are using to argue certain lineup decisions are such a miniscule sample size. There is not much else to go on, I suppose, besides the eye test but still not sure how much a net rating in 5 minutes of action can actually predict for future performance. With that said, I am also getting worried by DGs load. Caris was supposed to be that secondary initiator and creator to allow for DG to rest more but I… Read more »
It’s not predictive, nor is my point about making a prediction.
My point is: the eye test said Moses Brown came in and was a positive force and there’s evidence that he was, so why not stick with something that was working?
In no way am I saying it’s a guarantee a positive outcome will happen, just that J.B. went away from something that was clearly working.
Totally agree about Brown. Clearly should have seen more minutes. Pretty lousy game from JB overall, imo.
In fact, Brown looked great in his few minutes.
Can anyone figure out what will have to happen to keep Brown for the playoff roster, and long term?
Not sure what has to happen but as it stands now he’s not playoff eligible and on a 10 day contract.
I am guessing we would have to drop someone else.
right, i see what you are saying and I generally agree. I know there is the old eternal debate between eye test and stats but for me the big part of that is the sample size and what it can tell us. BUT if the eye test is also backed up by net rating then it’s an obvious conclusion to draw (play more Moses JB!!!)
Totally get what you’re saying, and obviously you’re correct in the aggregate… but as a self-described calculator rat that was the only ammo I had!!! LMFAOOOOOOOO