From the PD:
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Improved shooting eye boosting playing time for Cleveland Cavaliers' Omri Casspi
Published: Wednesday, November 28, 2012, 10:12 PM
Jodie Valade, The Plain Dealer
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- By Omri Casspi's estimation, he's actually doing better than he ever envisioned.
The Cavaliers swingman is hitting 50 percent of his 3-point attempts through 11 games. After an off-season spent focusing on improving his long-distance shooting, and a solid showing with the Israeli National Team in the summer, Casspi figured he'd be better than his disappointing numbers last season.
But his goals were somewhat more modest.
"I feel like I can shoot 40-plus percent from three," Casspi said. "That's what I need to aim for -- 40-45."
Given that Casspi has taken 22 3-point attempts in 11 games, however, knocking in 11 is a good -- if somewhat skewed -- start. The truer test will be whether he can maintain that accuracy and his role as a reliable reserve. Over the last four games, Casspi is averaging 8.3 points.
"I turned to him because C.J. [Miles] was struggling," coach Byron Scott said of Casspi's increased play. "That's the biggest reason. And Omri's taking advantage of the situation. He's played some good ball. The last 3-4 games he's hitting his shot, doing a much better job on the defensive end. He's doing it on both ends right now."
Casspi hit all four 3-point attempts in 15 minutes against Miami, which helped keep the Heat defense off-balance. He is tied for fifth in the league in 3-point percentage, though his 22 attempts are far fewer than Ray Allen (51 attempts, 53 percent) or O.J. Mayo (82 attempts, 52 percent).
Casspi merely shrugged when informed of his ranking. "It's a consequence of hard work in the summer, all the hard work that I put in."
Casspi said he worked on improving the arc of his shot. Meanwhile, Casspi monitors the violence in his native Israel, worrying about his younger sister who is in the Israeli Army and an older brother who is in the Army reserves.
"It's amazing that he's able to play with all that stuff that is going on," Scott said. "But then again, maybe being on the court is his safe haven, as well, because I know when he's probably not on the court there's a lot going on in his mind right now."