Cavs vs. Hawks 4-0, Classy, Yet Non-Competitive Sweep

[priceFTW]

Both teams will present a tougher defensive challenge for the Cavs' offense which is really, really good right now.

The Cavs have the highest ORtg so far these playoffs even after Miami's historic first two offensive games.

1. Cavs, 115.8
2. Miami, 115.6
3. OKC, 114.6
4. SAS, 111.9
5. GSW, 107.6

Also, the Cavs have by far the highest assist to turnover ration in the playoffs (they're not turning the ball at all), and the third highest assist ratio, higher than San Antonio's. The offense is great and can be even better.

The problem is defense. It won't be as easy to run all over the Hawks or Celtics. It will be, I hope, when we see our defense with the first unit get some stops. We were always in close games for the entirety of the series because our starting unit could not get stops to help the team extend leads. The Cavs have the 11th rated defense in the playoffs and all the teams that are ranked lower have either lost their series or are going to lose them.

Defensive ratings and NET ratings post the Pistons series

Defensive:

Mozgov: 127.8, NET -23.9
KLove: 113.4, NET +2.0
Kyrie: 112, NET +.5
JR Smith: 110.1, NET +5.4
Delly: 108.2, NET +13.0
Tristan: 107.4, NET +4.2
Shump: 103.4, NET +9.6
LeBron: 102.9, NET 14.5
Jefferson: 99.9!!!!, NET 17.9
Frye: 79.6, NET 42.8

NET RATINGS

Mozgov: -23.9
Kyrie: +.5
KLove: +2.0
Tristan: +4.2
JR Smith: +5.4
Shump: +9.6
Delly: +13.0
LeBron: +14.5
Jefferson: +17.9
Frye: +42.8

To answer the question, I think Boston's health issues will make them the easier out even though the Cavs play really well against Atlanta. I'm just worried that Atlanta will start hitting shots against us. Atlanta creates more open shots than any team in the league by far but doesn't make them.

 

[Rick Astley]

I will never want to play a dirty ass team. I will feel much better about battling opponents like Hawks who will play with their talents and not taking players down with them.

If what happened last year happen again, I will lose it because knowing Silver's NBA will just give the offender another slap on the wrist.

 

[Benedict_Boozer]

Neither team will be easy. I think we have a mental edge against ATL so I'd prefer them. BOS they just play too scrappy, is like an injury waiting to happen playing them.

 

[I'mWithDan]

I will never want to play a dirty ass team. I will feel much better about battling opponents like Hawks who will play with their talents and not taking players down with them.

If what happened last year happen again, I will lose it because knowing Silver's NBA will just give the offender another slap on the wrist.

Didn't Delly break Korver's ankle?

I'm pretty sure they hate us too.

 

[The Red Viper]

Honestly, I don't care. Both teams have talented players and fantastic coaches but we will win comfortably against either. Having said that, I want Boston. Defeating those smug bastards again would be fun as would be Love dad dicking the entire city of Boston.

 

[The Red Viper]

Didn't Delly break Korver's ankle?

I'm pretty sure they hate us too.

The only thing Delly broke against Atlanta Hawk's last playoffs was their soul.

 

[Rick Astley]

Didn't Delly break Korver's ankle?

I'm pretty sure they hate us too.

Inadvertently of course. Delly didn't do it on purpose with a face of a rat hungering for cheese such as this.

 

[Walter White]

I honestly think this will be easier than the Pistons series either way, but we will see.

 

[ajz20]

So rounds 4 through 7 of the Browns draft then cavs game at 330 Saturday? Somone is staying inside all day! That would be me!

 

[ACisKING]

Am I wrong to want Boston?

Want to kick that tomato can down the road.

I especially want Boston so the Cavs can lay waste to them and we can all lap up Bill Simmons tears.

I'm so tired of that dude and his hot Cavs takes. He even laughably tried to say he'd rank the Clippers above the Cavs so far this post season in his last podcast.

Oh Bill, you mean the same team we wiped the floor with twice this year? Ok buddy.

I thought that Simmons ranking was laughable. The Clippers are in no way better than the Cavs - either in the regular season or thus far in the playoffs. His analysis on your team has been horrible all season long. As House said, Bill is taking the "glass half empty" approach with the Cavs.

 

[Man Called X]

Yeah, Horford hates Delly too.

Either team is going to get chippy.

Bring on Boston.

 

[Pioneer10]

Love to have Jerebko on this team. If he can hit that corner 3: you have a guy who can guard the 2,3, and 4 spots and would allow you to swing Lebron to the 4 or when Lebron sits has adequate size and defense to play next to Irving/Love

 

[tonyn]

I say the hawk's would be the safer route.
The hawk's fans want no parts of the cavs plus the hawk's are in a downward trend while the Celtics are improving.

We Just got out of a series with a young scrappy team and they kept trying to hurt our people.
I would hate to see what Boston would do givin our history.
I think atl has more talent but would just roll over and die. I think the Celtics would be a tougher series because they have a young energetic team that is gonna fight harder.

Either series we win I just think in terms of style atl would be the safer choice

 

[Adam]

I want to play the hawks for a few reasons:

I haven't heard any organ music for a while.

I want them to fluorescent green out the stadium (it will be like playing chernobyll)

The will put the most pressure on us defensively. We need to get better defensively if we are going to win the whole thing. They will force us to work on weakling switching action and guard a fast point guard. Things we will need as much practice at as possible.TT and love are a great match up with milsap and Horford

 

[mhi]

The will put the most pressure on us defensively. We need to get better defensively if we are going to win the whole thing. They will force us to work on weakling switching action and guard a fast point guard. Things we will need as much practice at as possible.TT and love are a great match up with milsap and Horford

Excellent point, we do need to tighten up on D. I think we play great D in spurts but haven't put together a 48min game on that end in a while.

Hopefully the coaching staff is aware and they spend the weak off preaching and drilling D.