Some interesting points in Terry Pluto’s “Scribbles” this morning :
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Scribbles in my notebook after the Cavs 96-86 victory over Orlando as they have a 2-0 advantage in the best of 7 first round of the playoffs:
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CLEVELAND, Ohio – Scribbles in my notebook after the
Cavs 96-86 victory over Orlando as they have a 2-0 advantage in the best of 7 first round of the playoffs:
The Cavs player I’m happiest for is … Jarrett Allen. He took a lot of criticism after the Cavs were booted out of the first round by New York in the 2023 playoffs. He spoke the truth when he mentioned about the playoff “lights being too bright” for the Cavs. That led to him being labeled soft, even some media suggestions he should be traded. Just be glad that didn’t happen.
I love Allen as a player, but … even I didn’t know he had this in him. This being back-to-back playoff games of 18 and 20 rebounds. This being not backing down when pushed and shoved, instead playing through the physical play when officials don’t blow the whistles. He’s averaging 16 points in the two playoff games.
Maybe we should have seen something like this coming … In his final 53 games of the season, Allen averaged 18.1 points and 11.6 rebounds with 37 double/doubles in those last 53 games. It feels like Allen has been around forever, but he’s only 26.
I like how … Donovan Mitchell owned up to the fact that he didn’t play well in the second half of Game 2. He had 19 points and 7 rebounds at the half. In the second half, he scored four points with one rebound. He was 2 of 9 from the field. He settled for 3-point shots (2 of 10 for the game) instead of driving to the rim and putting pressure on the defense.
I wish the Cavs … would have moved the ball more in the second half. Also, the players seemed to stand around, watching Darius Garland and/or Mitchell dribble. In the first half, the Cavs shot 50% from the field, including 8 of 19 on 3 pointers. They went from 58 points in the first half to 38 in the second half thanks to 34% shooting and a very stagnant offense.
I wonder why … the Cavs don’t run more plays for Max Strus to move without the ball, run around picks to get open for 3-point shots. He’s stuck standing on the perimeter. Yes, he’s 2 of 10 on 3-pointers. This team needs more movement.
I guess four minutes was too much … That’s what Sam Merrill played in Game 1. He never got off the bench in Game 2. Merrill is excellent moving without the ball. He can get hot from 3-point range. Bickestaff has settled into an 8-man rotation. Most coaches tend to do that in the playoffs, but this offense needs a boost.
Some stats have a secret meaning … There is the plus/minus number. For example, in the two games that Cavs have outscored Orlando by 22 points when Allen has been on the floor. Next is a plus-20 for Mitchell, followed by a plus-18 for Strus. During the regular season, the Cavs were productive when Strus played even when he didn’t shoot well. That’s the case in these games. Strus has grabbed nine rebounds in each game.
Evan Mobley has … made a lot of progress compared to his performance in the 2023 playoffs. He has not become discouraged when knocked around under the rim with no foul calls from officials, He’s using his jump hook more. He’s taken a few bad shots, but I like how he’s being aggressive. He’s averaging 16.5 points and 9.0 rebounds in this series.
Let’s hear it for … Mobley, Georges Niang and Isaac Okoro. They have taken turns defending Orlando star Paolo Banchero. Yes, he’s averaging 22.5 points.
But he’s made 15 turnovers in two games. He’s been frustrated at times.
It’s a cliche but probably true … several Cavs mentioned the series will be harder as the next two games are in Orlando.
The Magic had an 18-23 road record, but they were 29-12 at home. The Cavs were good on the road, a 22-19 mark. The average NBA home team wins about 2 of every 3 games.
Darius Garland still drives me crazy … when he dribbles into traffic and doesn’t seem to have a clue where he wants to pass the ball. He’s averaging 6.0 assists compared to 4.5 turnovers, not a good ratio. But in a series where few players on either team are shooting well, Garland is a 50% from the field and 47% on 3-pointers, averaging 14.5 points. He has made several key 3-point shots in both games when Cleveland’s offense was stalled.
The numbers tell us ... teams with a 2-0 lead in a best of 7 series go on to win the series 93% of the time,
according to the Land of Basketball website.