Live Thread: Cavs @ Hornets 2026-02-20 Off By Chris Francis Sorry for the late LT, GO Cavs! Live Thread: Nets @ Cavs Live Thread: Cavs @ Thunder
I THINK ELLIS HAS THE COMPETITIVE DNA ALONG WITH ELITE ATHLETICISM/ TIMING TO GAURDS BIGGER PLAYERS
IS HARD ROCK STILL OUT
It will be interesting to see how Harden plays with Evan and Jarrett going up against Holmgren. Hopefully the aggressive and effective Fro will continue to be on display.
Just a word on Ellis. He does not have enough min to qualify, but his Steal% of 3.0% (combined Sac/Cle) would rank 7th behind Kawhi, Holland (Det), Goodwin (Phx), old friend J. Green (Det), Thompson (Det), and Wallace (OKC). Det has 3 guys in the top 10. OKC two. We needed that juice.
His rate of 3.8% with us would lead the league. It might not be sustainable, nor that 4.4% block rate. Which is off the charts for a guy his size & higher than anyone else in the top 10 (Kawhi, Thompson, OG).
I wish he was bigger. IDK how he’d fare defending Tatum/Brown/KD/Kawhi types. But guys a bit smaller & down? Lights out.
He is disruptive and annoying and impactful on D. An ELITE perimeter defender. And a decent catch & shoot guy.
Okoro was a good defender, a bit stouter, but not elite and not as disruptive. And his shooting collapsed in the POs. Ball is bigger, and was good on D. But not as disruptive. Not elite. And his O crippled us.
Injury report.
Thunder will be without not just reigning MVP SGA and All NBA & All Defensive G Jalen Williams, but also guards Alex Cariso & Ajay Mitchell and C Thomas Sorber.
Except for Strus, the Cavs are full strength.
We should TCB tonight. In the “Tough Ten” this is in the 3rd Bucket: Road Games we shoukd Win.
Bucket 1: East Elite: 0-0. NY, at Det Det, Bos.
Bucket 2: b2b. 1-0. W at Cha, at Mil, Phi.
Bucket 3: Road Favorites: 0-0. at OKC, Brk, & Orl.
Meanwhile:
Denver at GSW
Celtics at Lakers
NY (b2b) at Bulls
In the past this would have been a recipe for a “taking them lightly” fiasco. I think the Cavs are much more focused lately from night to night,
especially after the trades.
👍🙏 FOR SHARING SIMMO —— YEP THINGS CHANGE RAPIDLY “ LIFE COMES AT YOU FAST “
Just reading the NBA preview of the matinée, came across this sentence and had to smile. Things do change fast sometimes. Had someone told me this time last year that this would have been part of a Cavs game report in one year’s time, I’d have spat my coffee.
“The second unit of Dennis Schroder, Jaylon Tyson, Keon Ellis, Thomas Bryant and Nae’Qwan Tomlin all were on the positive side in plus-minus in the win over the Hornets. Among the starters, only Harden was a plus.”
Knicks rally to win.
The L column:
13: Pistons
14: OKC
———-
16: Spurs
———–
19: Celtics
—————
21: NY, CAVS, Nuggets, Houston, Lakers
22: Minny
NY jumps us in the East due to the TB. Standings wise, we would win TBs with Denver & LAL if tied.
We are a game up on Hou & LAL in the standings with more wins.
Cannot figure iut who to root against in the NY/Hou game.
It should be NY, as that helps us more. But I really have a strong distate for KD (Mr. Burner badmouthing teammates) and Udoka.
Ugh. Rockets (esp Durant) looking very one dimensional last 6 minutes of 4th. 9 TO’s in the 4th
yeah, but there is zero chance of facing the Rockers in the playoffs.
MINNIX 29/9….. 6/11 From 3 —— KHAYES DNP
Minnix can shoot. Eonder if someone put a claim in on Hayes or if we are gonna prioritize Brown more now that he is on a 2 way?
The difference pre and post trades is mostly maturity – there was a talking point around the FO re Garland that he needed to play like a 28-29 yo PG instead of a 22-25 yo.
Harden valuing every possession and doing the simple thing (feed your local big man) until defense stops it is a lesson DG (and Mitchell) never fully internalized.
Even when Harden is 6/6 in a half he still runs the offense and doesn’t take heat checks.
Ellis and Schroder knowing that opportunities to win are fleeting in this league also helps.
The “getting the hell out of Sacramento bump” is real.
Hopefully, Schröder’s efficiency jumps as he gets more familiar with the O and his teammates. But he has big game exp (especially internationally) and knows he is out there to be aggressive.
But Harden will run the O first, and solo/iso at need later, or if left open by the D. DG/Spida attack/solo much quicker without exploring if we can get a better shot first.
For me, Mitchell can playmake, but he is a 2, not a PG. He gets assists off attacks to the rim. He isn’t an orchestrator/conductor. He has some chucky in him.
At this stage, Harden is more of a PG. Less Chucky than he was.
FTS says our ORtg with Harden playing has been 129.4 since the trade (100th percentile). Now, Sac, Den, Wiz, Nets, Bugs ain’t much on D, but still ….
I will confess that Harden’s orchestrator O has been a pleasant surprise. Yes, recent data and commentary so indicate, but seeing is believing. The fact that his efficiency has been so high w essentially no practice also impressive. When Mitchell first acquired, I wondered if he was (just) a young chucker. Obviously his overall game and esp his team leadership have been huge. Similarly, when Harden acquired, I feared he was (mainly) an old chucker. So far pleasantly surprised. Post season success (individual and team) will be a great story for everyone, especially Harden. Need to arrange a visit for… Read more »
Totally agree. This is how our offense should’ve been running all along. Possessions now have a better flow to them without frantic drives and last-second passes to off-balanced shooters who have no time to set themselves.
Small sample size alert for some, but here are the Cavs players ON Court/100 poss & ON/OFF Diff per 100:
ON court: Schröder +21.7, Ellis +20.7, Harden +11.9, Merrill +8.3, Mitchell +8.1, Allen +7.3, Wade +6.9, Mobley +6.4, Tyson +5.2, Tomlin +4.4, CPJ +3.8, Bryant +2.2, (Ball +0.3), (Hunter -1.5), LNJ -1.8, (Garland -2.6), Proctor -3.6.
ON/OFF Diff: Schröder +17.9, Ellis +16.9, Mitchell +10.1, Harden +7.8, Merrill +5.5, Allen +5.0, Mobley +3.8, Wade +3.8, Tyson +1.3, Tomlin -0.2, CPJ -1.1, Bryant -2.8, (Ball -5.8), LNJ -7.2, Proctor -9.5, (Garland -10.1), (Hunter -10.3).
It is pretty easy to see the line of demarcation for the rotation and who got moved at the deadline.
The Garland numbers are basically all health. Man was healthy enough to play and flash but not be effective or to catch a rhythm.
DOING WELL BUCKAROO—- ALTHOUGH I AM HAVING LONG OVERDUE KNEE SURGERY ON MARCH 2nd —— SURGERY NOT SO MUCH THE CONERN AS MUCH AS THE REHAB——— PITY “ THE “ POOR MRS NOMAD WHO HAS TO PUT UP WITH ME 24/7 …….. “ MORE WINE 🍷 FOR HER PLEASE “——1 CONSOLATION FOR HER IS A “ RESPITE FROM MY FRISKY NIGHTLY REQUESTS FOR AWHILE “ 👍🤪——- WILL KEEP YOU GUYS POSTED ON MY SURGERY——— KEEP ME IN MIND PERIODICALLY 👍🙏
No help late night. Fenver crushed the Blazers in Portland and the Lakers beat the Clips by 3 in a game that saw Kawhi leave with ankle soreness with 5 min left.
The L column:
13: Detroit
14: OKC
16: San Antonio
————
19: Boston
20: Houston
21: Cavs, Denver, NY, Lakers
22: Minny
Houston at Knicks tonight. Someone loses. Spurs host Kings & Pistons at Bulls.
OMIER 20/13 —8/11 from the field —only 22minutes 1st game with new team
Ellis with team best +19 +/- .
Not much of a fadeout for Allen post all-star. He seems to have something to prove.
He should be higher up the offensive food chain than Mobley. Mobes has better handles and is a better passer, but JA is a better screener and better (and quicker) finisher around the rim.
I know we want to develop Mobley’s game, but that is what the first 50 games are for. It is winning time now. The more efficient & polished guys should be taking bigger pieces of the offensive pie.
True Shooting %:
Merrill 69.3%, Harden 68.3%, Allen 66.3%, Bryant 62.9%, Tyson 62.9%, Mitchell 61.8%.
Wade 58.9%, Ellis 57.7%, Mobley 57.6%, (Garland 56.7%), Tomlin 55.6%, (Hunter 55.3%).
CPJ 52.1%.
Schröder 46.6%, LNJ 45.8%, (Ball 43.2%).
There’s a path (like there was for Raptors Siakam) for Mobley to get a lot of good stuff as a frontcourt PnR handler and transition attacker / mismatch hunter.
I don’t want to take the ball out of the hands of Mobley (and his 5 apg) either. The 4-5 pick and roll or the 4-2 with Tyson/Max/Sam/Don are both good sets, and get you Mobley going downhill.
Agreed. But the early clock triples and iso post ups against good defenders need to go.
I am not saying we should starve him out on O, but he should not be force fed, either.
Now, I do think some of his decreased efficiency was injury related, but mostly trying to do too much with DG out and some regression (FT% drop).
third place in EC Baby!
1 game out of 2nd place in EC Baby!
6.5 out of 1st place in EC Baby!
Get two more wins and there’s real separation from NY…
Hunter has eye surgery, out for the rest of the season.
That may explain a whole lot about his shooting slump this season.
He hurt it like in the first game for Sac. Detached retina.
But I see what you did there. ;)
Haha – no I forgot about how he got raked in the eye his first game with the Kings. Man, he also got hurt in Game 1 against the Pacers; tough luck for him after the great initial stretch following the trade last year.
YES SCHROEDER/ ELLIS CAN BE “ DAWGS “ —— JUST READ WHERE DRE HUNTER OUT FOR SEASON/ EYE SURGERY
NOMAD bro.. looks like cavs are cooking with gas after the “transfusion”.. uncle buck os even smoking a little off the old hopium pipe.. loving the new crew.. hope you are well dude..
TYSON 17 MINUTES—- SHOULD HE HAVE PLAYED MORE
Yep.
Think maybe his ankle is still bugging him some?
He didn’t miss as much time as Wade, but Wade/Merrill starting instead of him is curious.
He’s a little at sea. Schroder takes away a lot of his ballhandling reps with the second unit and he’s still learning to play off Harden.
HORNETS NOT AN EASY OUT —- BEEN PLAYING SOME OF THE BEST BALL / NBA THE LAST MONTH
Also down Bridges/Diabate on suspension.
Lost to Houston by 4 last night.
Into 3rd in the East and 5th overall in the standings. Half game up on NY & Hou.
Allen 26/14/2, 7 OFF Boards, -2. 11/15 FGs.
Spida: 32/3/4, 9/22. -4.
Harden: 18/3/8. 6/14. +3. Only + starter.
Wade: hasn’t missed a shot in 2 games. Big 3s late.
Ellis: 4/4/3 + 2 steals. +19.
Schröder: 8/0/3. 3 steals. +16.
Tyson +14, Bryant +5, Tomlin +4.
BEEN A NEMISIS ALL SEASON ( 3yrs ) REBOUNDING—— MOBES NOT PLAYING HURT s
UGLY WIN IS BETTER THAN A BEAUTIFUL LOSS ——- WE ARE LEAGUE CHAMPS 58-6 FOR THE SEASON 👍🏀💪
Amen to that. Shorthanded b2b away vs hot team.
I will take it.
At OKC & NY next two. Thunder shorthanded.
Well we got out of there with a win. Without Mobley. On a b2b. Despite getting killed on the glass. I will certainly take it, but I am no sticking my chest out after it, either.
We fid shoot it well again: 53.2/47.6/92.9 FG/3PT/FT. +5 on the FT line, though most of that was late. Took care of the ball pretty well, 12 TOs.
We were 10/21 from deep they were 20/56. -30 from the land of plenty and outrebounded 23-10 on the offensive glass. They had more OFF boards than Def boards. That is a first for me.
Absolutely killed by our biggest weaknesses and still just walked down a hot young team at the end.
Ellis and Schroder killing backup guards is so good. Should stop the “Daniss Jenkins/Jordan Clarkson go crazy” games that were the difference in the last two Pistons/ Knick games
Got it done. With contributions from several sources. Not the prettiest, but toughest opponent during current streak.
Ugly ass win but I’ll take it against such a hot team… bench absolutely bailed out the starters defensively. JA and Spida carried the offense
How are people heading for the exit. Far from over.
Charlotte fans stink!!!!!
💯
Big O board for Allen + Wade triple.
JAMES DEAN WADE CLUTCH PLAYER OF THE YEAR
James quite the flopper
Attaway Dean
GET A DAMN REBOUND MY GOD
Big 3 from Wade, then a stop, then a Spida TO, another stop, and Harden FTs.
Maybe a little breatheing room.
SAM MERRILL BEAST MODE!!!
💪💪💪
Thank God Wade hit that!
JAMES DEAN WADE CLUTCH 3
Starters back for the last 5 min plus
Oof. JA and Wade can’t get the rebound, leads to an and-1. That hurts.
Wade, Tomlin & Allen & still cannot board.
Harden a big 3 but then completely loses his man on D. Luckily no consequence.
we’ve taken 15 threes…. back to JBozo offense SMDH
Got the lead back, at least, 90-89.
4 on Mitchell.
Shroeder & Ellis locking in on D.
87-84 Bugs.
30 2nd chance points by my count.
Play bigger, FFS.
Outrebounded 37-22 is pathetic.
Rebounding so pathetic
The +/- suggests that starting Merrill did not go so well (he and Wade stand out by far, and equally so, on the negative side). I wish we’d left behind us the days of more than one 6’4 and under player in the starting lineup since there are enough solid starting options now to avoid that even when 1 or 2 are sitting out.
yeah should’ve been Tyson starting for sure.
I think this is an L.
Outworked in the first half. Continuing in the 2nd.
17-4 on the offensive glass. All 4 for us by Allen.
If they keep it close, Cavs have the better closer.
True.
zero defense since the first quarter… KA refuses to play bigger with Nance.
N/I the last couple scores.
Still, up 6. But I like their effort more.
They are +10 on the offensive glass, are +18 ftom the 3 point line, and have taken 10 more FGs.
We are +8 from the FT line and shooting better %s.
11-1 Hornets on the offensive glass. Until we rebound better, IDK if I will ever believe in us as contenders. They gotta have 20 2nd chance points.
Cavs depth makes it tough. Charlotte playing well but Cavs just don’t have much drop off as the quarters play out.
yup, can’t wait to see the 2nd half if we can do to them what Indiana did to us in the playoffs.
I we could have cleaned the glass netter, we’d be up 20.
Still happy.
Merrill started with Wade.
I believe no Mobes. Tomlin was probable.
thank you, I thought I saw they started Merrill instead of Tyson.