Recap: Cavs 132, Celtics 123 (OT) or, The Caris LeVert Agenda
2022-10-29The Cavs secured a big time “statement game” road win in overtime against the Eastern Conference Finalist Boston Celtics 132-123. After the Cavs’ defense got torched in the first half, they only gave up 39 points in the second half, and only 48 including overtime. Let’s dive right in on last night’s takeaways…
1. The Caris LeVert Agenda Victory Tour
Yours truly has shamelessly promoted a pro-Caris Agenda throughout the off-season, and last night served as vindication for those who held fast in their faith that LeVert could deliver a championship level performance. He impacted every facet of the game with 41 points on only 21 shots, seven assists, four rebounds, three steals, and the Cavs were a +26.0 net rating in his 40+ minutes on the court. The play that really captured his ability to impact winning was his offensive rebound and three point swish late in the fourth quarter to help the Cavs get to overtime:
We can talk about Caris LeVert nailing snatch back 3 after snatch back 3
We can talk about Caris setting his teammates up for easy shots
We can talk about Caris playing his butt off on defense
But these 2 offensive boards late in the 4th were the biggest moments of the game pic.twitter.com/zZPBbAToGt
— Brayden Todd (@Bray__NBA) October 29, 2022
The perception surrounding Caris is that he’s “just a scorer.” But if you look at his career, especially his playoff performances, you’ll see that LeVert can make plays on both sides of the ball and carry a team in stretches as he did tonight. Nights such as this is why Donovan Mitchell was excited to come play with LeVert. Oh and by the way, Darius Garland is still out… just wait until this triple threat backcourt is together again!
2. Thank you Brooklyn Nets!
There was one Cavalier who posted a better plus/minus than Junkyard Dawg award winner and former Brooklyn Net Caris LeVert last night: University of Texas center and former Brooklyn Net Jarrett Allen! Yes, the All-Star center posted a +25 plus/minus over 40 minutes in a single digit win. The Cavs defensive rating with Allen on the court? 98.8. JA had the Celtics’ offense in hell especially in the second half. Allen was also a two way threat putting in a double double with 12 points and 11 rebounds, three of which were offensive:
Jarrett Allen continues to bring the energy down in the low post! #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/thx0EozAE5
— Mack Perry (@DevaronPerry) October 29, 2022
There’s no one who embodies unselfish play better Jarrett Allen on this squad, and last night was just another example of his leadership. Thank you Brooklyn!
3. Evan Mobley’s best game this season?
Clearly Evan Mobley is a fan of CtB (come on the podcast Evan!) because he delivered a winning performance especially in the areas where he’s struggled the most so far this season: rebounding and turnovers. Last night Evan “The Professional” Mobley put forth a stat-stuffing double double with 19 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and three stocks in over 40 minutes on the floor. He elevated his defensive rebounding rate to nearly 20% (18.9%), and he decreased his turnover ratio to 10.0. He also made some tough finishes as an outlet for the guards in the paint. To see him immediately improve on his weaknesses is something that only special players do, just wait until he really catches his rhythm!
Evan Mobley did alittle bit of everything last night. Just a small glimpse of why so many think he could be a top 5 player in the league eventually. #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/xdICEdUoFK
— Mack Perry (@DevaronPerry) October 29, 2022
4. Quibbles and nitpicks: Bench Unit Edition
The biggest negative of the night was obviously the second unit performance. Kevin Love, Cedi Osman, Raul Neto, and Isaac Okoro all had varying levels of struggle against the elite bench unit of Boston’s headed by young veteran Sam Houser, former Cavs Luke Kornet, and newcomer Malcolm Brogdon. A lot of their struggle can be attributed to Darius Garland’s absence really killing the Cavs’ depth. But Coach J.B. Bickerstaff should consider a Lamar Stevens appearance or find a priest to exorcise the injury demons that perpetually plagued Dylan WIndler because 21 year old Isaac Okoro is on the struggle bus big time.
5. Quick note on the Celtics
Interestingly, the Celtics played true to their statistical profile with some good offense and terrible defense, especially getting killed on the boards and inside the paint because of their lack of frontcourt depth. They really miss Rob Williams’ ability to erase mistakes and make connective passes on offense. They missed Grant Williams’ junkyard dawg mentality on defense and spot up shooting on offense. But make no mistake, these guys are going to be a problem for the Cavs all year, and they will have to go through Boston in order to achieve any big goals this season. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined for 64 points, a dominant offensive performance… but guess what? 82 points > 64 points ALL DAY!
6. Next up, the frisky Knicks
The Cavs travel back home to welcome the New York Knicks to the shores of Lake Erie for a Sunday evening showdown at the Rock. The Knicks are off to a solid start with their major offseason acquisition in Jalen Brunson. If the Cavs are thinking they can coast through this game, they’re sorely mistaken. No question J.B. Bickerstaff will send that message to the team, and hopefully the good guys will respond with their signature Junkyard Dawg Mentality, GO CAVS!
7. Oh, BTW… R.I.P. President Stevens!
James Dean Wade!
LT up
Tremendous game. Anybody have the Cavs at 4 – 1 with DG absent for nearly all of it? For Okoro, he needs a warm embrace from JB and a trip to the Wollstein Center. The Charge play a few blocks away, not in Canton. He should start there and play lots of minutes. Luke Walton or another assistant should attend those games. With shot, confidence, assertiveness restored, he can come back and try being a rotation player at the Rock (…which should really still be the Q). Maybe try him as the starter against a bad team. The guy has… Read more »
yup agreed good post Patrick!
For those on Jazz watch, Conley did not start oast game, so Sexton started in his stead. 1 point win over no Ja Grizz.
Big Finnish: 23/9/5 on 9-21 and 2-9 3s.
Sexton: 19/2/4 on 7-12 and 3-6.
Agbaji: 7/4/1 on 2-6 and 0-2.
Clarkson: 21/3/6 on 9-17 & 3-7.
Lauri is an inverted Caris. Playing well. Can’t hit a 3 but killing it on 2s.
Eh. Laurie’s volume shooting
You’re going to have a high variation.
My takes on LeVert have been all over the map. 1) When rumors hit last year I was a no. I viewed him as an ineffecient chucker who played questionable D. And worried about his health. 2) After the trade, I did more digging and was encouraged by his P&R numbers, and his reputation for having a great attitude, and was optimistic he could really help us. 3) After he played, back to #1. 4) I was skeptical of if a healhier, rededicated Caris would be meaningfully more effective, and he has. Outside of the teo not falling & 3’s… Read more »
In the NBA tonight:
The Nets lost at home to the Pacers.
The Jazz beat the Grizz in Utah.
The winless Kings beat Miami in NoCal.
The Hornets beat the Warriors at the Hive.
And OKC beat Dallas in TX.
No Morant for the Grizz, it must be said.
Morant played in loss to the Jazz.
bron & co worst in league at 0-5
so sad
brooklyn baby.. 1-5.. sweet.. mathurin (#6 pick) team high 32..
Kyrie should be dismissed from the team.
For a thought experiment, what would happen if a white player retweeted support for a anti-black (racist) film?
Great cap, CLF, just what I needed to try to digest what happened. In the backcountry but managed to watch ( sort of) the fourth quarter and OT on my phone. When I saw it was close there’s was no way I was going to miss what my be the ground breaking game for the Mitchell championship era. Spida had a monster game and it was a distant second to LeVert who absolutely dominated, he was just everywhere with timely steals, rebounds, nuclear shooting…. I don’t think I’ll ever forget it. JA, Mobley, Wade… all the starters shouldered the load.… Read more »
hell yeah that’s right WCC thank you as always and GO CAVS!
Miami loses to the Kings; GS loses to Charlotte.
I keep seeing this silly Bleacher report trade idea floating around the inter webs:
Lakers get: Damian Lillard, Justice Winslow
Blazers get: Austin Reaves, Max Christie, Russell Westbrook, 2 firsts, 2 seconds.
🤦♂️
The Laker fans comments are pretty funny too! Westbrook just needs to be a leader on a team so yeah this would be good for the Blazers. 😂😂
Why would the Blazers do that?
They wouldn’t. It’s a LA fan’s pipe dream!
Nice recap. I think this was the best game of this very new season.
Thanks Arch as always totally agree, they were massive underdogs in this game.
so very nice that the 216 avoided the Sacramento flush.. up 106-102.. still looking for #1 w.. i am guessing they miss against MIA
GREAT CAP CLF—–DIAL UP THE “EXORCIST ” FOR BOTH ICE AND “GLASS ” —-JASON HAD A GOOD POST ABOUT ICE’S EARLY STRUGGLES—–NOT BEING A STARTER AND TRYING TO HARD NOT TO MAKE A MISTAKE —JUST GO OUT AND PLAY —LET THE GAME BE FUN AGAIN !!
AMEN PREACH IT NOMAD!
YEP FORGET WHAT I POSTED LAST NIGHT ABOUT CAVS PURSUING PRIMO—–NATE WAS ON TOP OF IT POSTING THAT THERE WILL BE NEWS SURROUNDING PRIMO BEING LET GO BY THE SPURS—-GOOD JOB NATE !!
NOMAD bro.. that young fool just torched a dumpster full of $20s.. a little late for therapy.. try a lobotomy..
primo exposed his little soldier in public.. are you f&cking kidding me !!!!!!!!!!!..
sarcasm/ he’s just doing a Louis CK bit LMFAOOO
although dray posted some dick pics on instagram and lived to cash the checks..
yeah but that’s not comparable sounds like lawsuits are happening in the Spurs/Primo case Deshaun Watson level bad.
It’s gonna be a real challenge to balance backcourt minutes once this team gets to full strength. Best I can figure for average minutes per regular-season game is something like: 10 min/game – Garland, Mitchell, LeVert 9 mpg – Garland, Mitchell, Osman/Wade/Okoro 6 – Garland, LeVert, Osman/Wade/Okoro 5 – Mitchell, LeVert, Osman/Wade/Okoro 4 – Mitchell, Rubio, Osman/Wade/Okoro 4 – Garland, Rubio, Osman/Wade/Okoro 3 – Mitchell, Rubio, LeVert 3 – Garland, Rubio, LeVert 2 – [garbage time] Neto, Rubio, Osman/Wade/Okoro 1 – Neto, Mitchell, LeVert 1 – Rubio, LeVert, Osman/Wade/Okoro With a scheme like this, LeVert would spend about 17 min/game… Read more »
Rubio should easily get the 10mpg that Neto’s receiving now… and I think he can earn even more given how everyone expects him to perform with both DG and Mitchell.
Okoro is out of the rotation entirely when DG comes back. May even send him to G-league.
Always excited to read the recaps; double excited after wins!
Thank TOJ as always! Go Cavs!
I agree go Cavs
that’s right TOJ!
Good recap. While winning the knicks game would be nice, I hope JB limits starters to around 28-32 minutes on Sunday. Don’t want to burn these guys out too early.
yeah, he needs to load manage Caris and Donovan for sure, but hard to do that while DG is still sidelined.
Going to have to plant that idea in JB’s head Inception style before that ever happens.
Great Game !
Great Cap !
Thanks Roaul, GO CAVS!