ECF: Cavs 4 - Hawks 0

[Douglar]

Looks like the refs were instructed to favor the underdog in the playoffs. When a team goes down by more than 5 points, they start to get the calls. Here's to hoping the Cavs don't need to get the benefit of the doubt going forward.

JR Smith really looked like a better Korver than Korver last night. If the Cavs can gut out a win on Friday, I think the Hawks deflate. But the Hawks are a well coached team. It's not really safe to assume that they will do the same thing on Friday. It's also not safe to assume that JR will shoot over 50% from the three on Friday either.

 

[fujikuro]

It's the same everywhere - "LeBron gets all the calls." This despite his size, skill, and speed, yet he's not even in the picture for the number of times players get to the line. He's 9th in the league for god's sake! One can make the argument that he ought to be at the line just about every time he drives the ball. This is a sue sign of refs swallowing the whistle more with him than just about any other star player.

 

[gigabyte056]

Folks,

let us get back down to planet earth, we won game one on the road, the Bulls did the same...
We need to lock in game two and then we can be a bit more relaxed, it ain't over till it's over.

People are talking sweep, we are not there yet.

 

[pl4tinum]

Win game 2 and take their spirits. Reality will start to set in.

Obviously JR isn't going to do that every game. We'll need some other guys stepping up in Game 2. If we get back to Cleveland 2-0 this series is over, though.

Agree. Hopefully Delly gets back to hitting a couple of 3s, Kyrie has a few more points, JR stays semi-hot and James Jones doesn't throw up a big fat 0 again.

 

[Kbiz]

Any word on DeMarre?

I just got a notice from NBA Game Time app that there is no structural damage and he is ruled as "day-to-day."

 

[theArtsit]

 

[Zeus69]

Can't imagine him playing for at least a week...

 

[Helium filament]

Folks,

let us get back down to planet earth, we won game one on the road, the Bulls did the same...
We need to lock in game two and then we can be a bit more relaxed, it ain't over till it's over.

People are talking sweep, we are not there yet.

Totally agree. Although that game 1 that Chicago won in Cleveland had pretty special circumstances for us- JR out, Kevin out, playing with a completely new lineup, 8 days off, etc. So I do think we can take more from this win than Chicago took from that game, but I think game 2 will tell us a lot more.

 

[Kbiz]

Can't imagine him playing for at least a week...

If it was actually hyperextended, it would be at least a week.

 

[Frank Reynolds]

I just got a notice from NBA Game Time app that there is no structural damage and he is ruled as "day-to-day."

Still man, even if he comes back there's got to be some trepidation with his play.

Seeing that leg jam up and misfire, then it goes completely limp and he can't even control his foul. Writhing on the ground in pain.

That's not something you can easily get over psychologically and just go back to playing full sprint as if it never happened.

Dude couldn't even walk off the court under his own power.

They can classify it however they want, and fiddle with his status however they want. It's smoke and mirrors at this point.

Should we list Kyrie as day to day too?

 

[mhi]

Great news on Carroll. Would have been a shame for him to lose out on his payday after grinding for years.

I assume he tries to make it back asap, but will likely miss 2-3 games.

 

[Rich]

Biggest thing for Carroll is that he was a FA this year and he, probably more than anyone else, has made himself a ton of money in the playoffs this season.

 

[Kbiz]

Still man, even if he comes back there's got to be some trepidation with his play.

Seeing that leg jam up and misfire, then it goes completely limp and he can't even control his foul. Writhing on the ground in pain.

That's not something you can easily get over psychologically and just go back to playing full sprint as if it never happened.

Dude couldn't even walk off the court under his own power.

They can classify it however they want, and fiddle with his status however they want. It's smoke and mirrors at this point.

Should we list Kyrie as day to day too?

Hyperextension, even without ligament damage, is typically at minimum a two week healing process, depending on the severity of the swelling. Just call me another arm chair doctor!

This could essentially also remove Millsap from the picture as well. If he has to battle Lebron over long stretches, his offense is kaput.

 

[Gus Zing]

Can't imagine him playing for at least a week...

More reason the Cavs need to steal game 2. Then hopefully go for the sweep at home.

 

[KI4MVP]

Folks,

let us get back down to planet earth, we won game one on the road, the Bulls did the same...
We need to lock in game two and then we can be a bit more relaxed, it ain't over till it's over.

People are talking sweep, we are not there yet.

The series isn't over, but there is now a lot of pressure on the Hawks in game 2. They lost game 1 in the last series and bounced back when Wall missed game 2. Can they do it again against LeBron?

We need to lock in on game 2, and then stay locked in for games 3 and 4. No relaxing until the series is over.