Live Thread: Knicks @ Cavs, NBA Playoffs Game 2
2023-04-18Good evening CtB!
The Cavs welcome again the New York Knicks to the shores of Lake Erie as they finish up their two home games to open the first round of this playoff series. The Knicks took a battering ram to the Cavs to steal Game 101-97 that saw the Cavs struggle on offense and get totally dominated on the defensive boards. Literally nobody but Tower City and Spida were interested in fighting for boards, and if that continues the Cavs will flame out of these playoffs in devastating fashion. Cavs media has tried to spin this story as a season-long struggle, but as it has been proven here by yours truly, the Cavs were one of the best defensive rebounding teams in the NBA with NBA Champion Kevin Love on the roster. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s mismanagement of Love has come back to haunt the Cavs immediately, and it will take a miraculous effort by someone not named Tower City to reverse the Cavs’ fortunes.
So what adjustments do the Cavs make in Game 2? No question there’s a higher probability that fans will see the likes of Lamar Stevens, Raul Neto, or Danny Green on the court tonight. They all bring experience to the table, Neto and Stevens bring physicality to the table, and Green brings elite spot up shooting. But as Cavs’ fans have seen throughout the season, there’s zero chance Stevens or Neto will be guarded on defense, so the same conundrum of a crowded paint will makes things difficult for Spida and DG. Personally I would’ve rather seen a return of big boy ball with Dean Wade at the three with the starters, but it’s hard to justify that move given how shell shocked Wade was in his first taste of playoff basketball. At the end of the day, the Cavs are in trouble without Kevin Love, there’s no way around it. If the Cavs get swept out of these playoffs, Bickerstaff will have justified the slander directed his way about his “teacher’s pet” rotations that drove Love to request a buyout to get back his playing time elsewhere.
Bottom line: If Caris LeVert, Isaac Okoro, Cedi Osman, and Darius Garland don’t rebound, the Cavs aren’t winning.
Tip off is scheduled for 7:30PM and will be broadcasted nationally on TNT, Go Cavs!
recap up
“Shaking in our boots” dept: Stephen A sez Cavs got no chance: https://www.cleveland.com/sports/2023/04/stephen-a-smith-says-cavs-have-no-chance-to-win-game-3-against-the-knicks-in-new-york.html
It didn’t sound like he even believed it himself.
Had tomorrow been Game One of the series, I may have given his prediction some credence. Having settled for Game Two–having matched and exceeded the Knicks’ physical play–the Cavs won’t be as overwhelmed as he might think. The bench, however, is really a cause for concern. Role players typically don’t travel well in the playoffs, and our bench is particularly young, ineffective, and small. Let’s remind Stephen A. of his biggest fear, likely to happen once, maybe twice in New York: Donovan Mitchell will go off for 40 or 50 points and take a game all by himself. Smith said… Read more »
I think if Garland and Levert play more like their Game 2 selves than their Game 1 no-shows, that plus a typically stellar Spida performance will be enough to steal at least 1 of the next two in MSG. Not expecting 56 combined points from those two again this series, they just have to play with aggression and confidence. Hopefully JB continues to play Danny Green as well as Cedí off the bench. I’d rather not see Okoro start but I assume he will.
My main thing to watch is how the refs are going to call the game. The Cavs played way more aggressive in game 2 and the refs allowed it. If refs crack down on that, it will be interesting to see if Cavs can maintain the same intensity while staying out of foul trouble.
They may crack down a little, but generally they let them play more physical in the playoffs.
That’s the hope. Game 1 felt like a lot of ticky-tack stuff was called. But I think that was the case because the Cavs intensity wasn’t dialed up where it needed to be. They were a step behind the play too often, scrambled to catch up and didn’t get the benefit of the doubt after any contact.
Miami and Minny getting spanked!
Miami was screwed the moment Herro got injured, he and Jimmy are their entire offense. The Gobert disaster reaching historic levels LMFAOOOOOO
Minny should blow it up.
Cavs are the only team to deal with Danny Ainge and not get totally hosed.
CONGRATS SWEETCHIE YOU ARE DESERVING BRING US HOME A “ W” 👍
Okay so I officially bought my ticket for Game 5… just need to buy my airline ticket and settle accommodation.
NICE!!! Hope you have a blast. Go Cavs!
Represent! Have fun!
LETS GOOOOOOOO CTB IN THE HOUSE
WOW —24 Hrs -IN 45 yrs OF MARRIAGE I HAVE YEY GONE A FULL 24 HRS WITHOUT BEING CALLED AN IDIOT OR WORSE …….”MORE BEER 🍺 PLEASE 🤪🍺🤪🍺
RAOUL “ THE MRS NOMAD “ WOULD BE A BETTER CANDIDATE TO GO “WHIP SOME BUTT” ——ME AND MY 5 SONS HAVE EXPERIENCED HER “ BUTT KICKING SKILL” 🤪🍺🤪🍺🤪🍺
five sons is perfect for a basketball coach!
we are nearing 24 hours without calling each other idiots!
Winning cures everything!
THE YOUNG CAVS NEED TO BE READY FOR A VERY PHYSICAL— PROBABLY BORDERLINE DIRTY —- GAME FRIDAY—- JUST READING RANDALLS POST GAME COMMENTS HAS ME BELIEVING THIS WILL SURFACE. CAVS HAVE TO RESPOND ACCORDINGLY AND QUICKLY. GO CAVS 👍🏀👍🏀👍🍺🍺🍺🍺
if things get ugly, Coach Raoul is putting in NOMAD to whup some butt and learn them youngsters some manners!
Still in awe of our defense last night. Literally played every possession like it was a tie game with 24 seconds left. And the fight for the boards! Here for all of that.
Knicks were pretty elite defending at the rim, too. Hard Rock, Randle, Hart and Robinson can be scary stifling. Buuuuut… just a notch below us at our ceiling. Yes, DG was phenomenal, but when you realize he could have scored 16 and we still would have won, it shines a light on how crucial that defensive edge was.
SIMM0 ENJOY !!!——HAVE WATCHED THE REPLAY ALREADY —-WILL WATCH AGAIN —-WOULD BE NICE TO GET THAT 1ST WIN IN NEW YORK ” KEEP CARIS COOKING —-WITH MORE ” GREEN (S) ” “
Tony Brothers is opening up a restaurant in Virginia called “Brothers”
Off the grid for another week. Holidays are great but it’s hard missing this stanza in Cavs history.
Hope I’ve got a swag of great replays to watch when I get back.
Simmo!!! Enjoy your time off…. Game 2 is a must watch!!!
All year us as fans have talked about getting playoff experience and the growth of our young core… well how about that for playoff experience! Only took DG 1 game to bounce back. He had no hesitation on his 3s (even the ones he missed) and how about his defense!!! Don’t think I’ve ever seen him compete THAT hard on the defensive end.
If the Cavs compete like that, they can make it an interesting series for any team in the league.
THATS RIGHT VINTAGE LETS GOOOOO
Dude nearly dunked on Hard Rock!
In. His. Bag.
Expect the NY crowd to be crazy the next 2 games. Their fans always think that “this is their year” and we will definitely hear it once they host the next games. I’m worried that it might affect the younger guys in Mobes and the likes.
They should actually be ok. If we had won the first 2 i would be more worries but after the first quarter on friday we will know what we have.
right, and anyway, the kids gotta learn to deal with it. now is the time!
I’m not sure why would you be more worried going to MSG 2-0 than 1-1.
Knicks are a better road team than home team, here’s to hoping that trend continues!
Finally. Been waiting for this first playoff win removed from the LeBron era.
Let’s go Cavs!!
all in with runningjumper !
now waiting for first road playoff win without what’s his name!
I’m ready too !!! Road wins feel so much sweeter, especially a road crowd like NY.
much better mood tonight!
afraid to watch.. doing my taxes.. but…. CARIS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
no wade or stevens ?? .. okoro knee problems back i presume.. how’s it hanging NOMAD bro.. pleased cavs won the must-win.. mobes and allen need to step it up.. childhood over.. bring it..
couldda swore I saw Wade out there
No Okoro pulled due to lack of offensive threat
haha: Fedor’s article today: “Why Cavs can’t afford to go away from Okoro”
https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2023/04/why-cavs-cant-afford-to-go-away-from-isaac-okoro-even-if-his-shooting-struggles-persist.html
LMFAO yup… Chris should stick to reporting!
right.
I have always loved papers, magazines, etc, but it is clear that most writers are not chosen for knowing what they are talking about.
He’s a great reporter, unfortunately his basketball analysis is always clouded by bias towards his sources.
Caris with his 24 points off the bench is the most since Channing Frye with 27 in the 2016 playoffs.
I remember that Atlanta massacre
and the Cavs survived a Tony Brothers game
Cedi 6 rebounds in 23 minutes… big time, Danny Green 4 rebounds in 19 minutes.
and we can hope for a lot more from Danny going forward.
Expecting a close game for #3. Expecting us to have to come back from down double digits a couple times. And expecting mitchell to score 40+ in game 3. Nobody’s shot travels well except his. He did great letting garland assert himself tonight
Knicks are a better road team than home team, I like the Cavs chances in MSG with Donovan.
Whether it was design or not, Spida let DG cook and it’s what the Cavs needed. Now both can have a hot hand coming into G3.
DG and Spida can carry, Caris has been unleashed too without Rubio finally.
Just steal back home court!
Yes at minimum we need a split (preferably starting with Game 3 to put the pressure on).. a sweep in NY would even be more sweet.
Allen has given Randle a couple of hard fouls. I’d expect some retaliation in MSG.
Great game! DG takes it up, Mobley stays after it and gets rewarded down the stretch. Donovan not in rhythm offensively but makes a boatload of super passes.
BOOM!
Woot!!! What a game! Expect to see Caris starting from here on out with Cedi/Danny and maaaaaaybeca sprinkling of Neto off the bench
Alright,now we’re into something.See where this goes game 3.
That was a fun game!
agree with Arch!
All the Starters should pitch in to pay Allen’s flagrant fine
100%
No way that’s a flagrant.The more I see these guys go to replay and still make the wrong call I lose faith in mankind.I love that he challenged Randle,nothing dirty about it.
Rolo
Great game!
Work on a couple more of them.
Captain Hook!
Don’t give an inch
ROLO!!!
Knicks only shooting 36% from the field and 22% from 3.
Tibetdou is a ass
But we also had caris and JA on the floor still.
yeah, they belonged on the bench a lot earlier
ROLO TIME
BS. Scary play but not a f’n flagrant
Disagree. But I’m fine with it.
Was a flagrant. And im actually good with JA not giving him and easy dunk there. Set a tone. Keep the tone. We are the physical team now until we relinquish it
Yup
Man after all the recent overturned / non-flagrants called against the Cavs… no way
Bullshit
Let’s finish this without anyone getting g hurt!
Should be a flagrant 1. But I like it.
Me too,let er rip
Allen was going for the ball. Shouldn’t be a flagrant IMO.
Excellent.