camakazee
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Time for Camakazee's neat-o stats of the night.
The Good.
After losses like this, it is fairly hard for the average fan to search for the positives. However, there are always positives in any loss. Here is a look at some recent trends that have gone in the Cavs favor:
- The Cavaliers have now opened up the month of March going 3-1, on pace to match their 9-3 February. Prior to last night, they had shot a better field goal percentage in all thee games. However, including last night they are now shooting 131-290 (45.2%) to their opponent's 143-316 (45.3%) in the month of March. One bright spot, on the other hand, has been the three point shooting. After going 7-14 (50%) in last night's game, the Cavs are shooting 33-68 (48.5%) from deep this month, while holding their opponent to 18-62 (29.0%) three point shooting.
- Mo Williams is also feeling the March Madness, as his numbers have been very solid so far this month. In fact, up until last month, Mo's points per game have increased every single month. He hasn't averaged under 18.7 points per game in a month so far this new year. Here are his stats from the four games so far this month:
Mo Williams (4 games): 22.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists on 31-58 (53.4%) shooting, including 13-19 (68.4%) from three.
Furthermore, after scoring only 9 points in San Antonio, his first single-digit scoring game in 8 games prior, Mo Williams has rebounded strongly. He has scored in double figures on better than 50% shooting each game since then, setting his highest points per game mark in a month this season.
- Similarly, Anderson Varejao has played a solid role in the month of March, sliding into the starting forward slot for the injured Ben Wallace. Last night Andy continued his active play, picking up 15 points on 5-8 (62.5%) shooting. Here are his March numbers:
Anderson Varejao (4 games): 8.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.8 steals on 12-23 (52.2%) shooting.
The Bad.
Despite a shining 27-1 home record this season, the Cavs have had some struggles on the road this season. The bad thing is that six of the twelve road losses have come to teams slated as seeds 2-6 in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Here is a closer look as the Cavs continue their quest for home court advantage:
At the current 2-6 seeds in the EC (Boston, Orlando, Atlanta, Miami, and Detroit):
- Record: 2-6 with an average of 92.3 points per game to the opponent's 97.3 points per game.
- The Cavaliers are shooting 261-592 (44.1%) from the floor, compared to the opponent's 286-609 (47.0%) shooting.
The one good thing to take away from this however is the fact that the Cavs started out 0-5 on the road against such teams and have improved to 2-1 over the last three. Over these three road games LeBron is averaging 29.7 points per game, with Mo averaging 25.3 points per game on 10-15 (66.7%) three point shooting.
- The poor free throw shooting once again decided to come up at the worst possible moment. As the Cavaliers were mounting a comeback, they were leaving points at the line left and right. The Cavs are now averaging close to three less made free throws on the road as opposed to at home on 72.3% free throw shooting (78.4% at home). Furthermore, the Cavs are now shooting 221-314 (70.4%) from the free throw line in their thirteen losses this season. One culprit in particular, Anderson Varejao, has shot 25-47 (53.2%) from the stripe since February 1st (64.2% in the first four months of the season).
The Ugly.
The Cavs have now lost their last 9 games at Boston dating back to three seasons ago, including the four games at Boston this past post-season. Here is a look at the numbers from those games, broken down by regular and post-season:
Last 4 games at Boston in playoffs: 0-4.
- Cavs: 81.5 points per game on 38.6% shooting, Celtics: 89.5 points per game on 43.2% shooting.
- LeBron James (4 games): 28.3 points, 6.5 assists, and 5.5 rebounds on 34-96 (35.4%) shooting and an atrocious 3-26 (11.5%) three point shooting. LeBron also averaged 5.8 turnovers per game and tied a record for most turnovers in a playoff game with 10, a record he had already been tied with previously.
- Most points by another Cavs player: 22 by Zydrunas Ilgauskas (averaged 13.8 points over the four games).
- Managed to shoot a worse field goal percentage all four games.
Last 5 regular season games @ Boston: 0-5.
- Cavs: 86.4 points per game on 41.1% shooting, Celtics: 93.0 points per game on 47.4% shooting.
- LeBron James (3 games): 23.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists on 21-60 (35%) shooting.
- Most points by another Cavs player: 26 by Mo Williams (averaging 19.0 points in two games @ Boston).
- Managed to shoot a worse field goal percentage all five games.
As you undoubtedly notice, the Cavs simply fail to outperform the Celtics in Boston. LeBron appears to be mortal and unfortunately falls in love with the three ball, as the defense constantly collapses around him when he drives. Also, the fact that the Cavs have shot a worse field goal percentage all nine losses in Boston is a testament to the poor offensive looks combined with the limits their defense places on second chance attempts. Hope is around the corner, however, as LeBron is averaging 30.8 points per game in his last four games at Boston, despite his performance last night.
View from the other side:
- Paul Pierce complemented his 29 points last night with a season-high 9 assists.
- In 26 minutes off of the bench, Leon Powe scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. The 20 points is a season-high and the 11 rebounds ties a season-high in that category as Powe picked up his second double-double of the season.
The Good.
After losses like this, it is fairly hard for the average fan to search for the positives. However, there are always positives in any loss. Here is a look at some recent trends that have gone in the Cavs favor:
- The Cavaliers have now opened up the month of March going 3-1, on pace to match their 9-3 February. Prior to last night, they had shot a better field goal percentage in all thee games. However, including last night they are now shooting 131-290 (45.2%) to their opponent's 143-316 (45.3%) in the month of March. One bright spot, on the other hand, has been the three point shooting. After going 7-14 (50%) in last night's game, the Cavs are shooting 33-68 (48.5%) from deep this month, while holding their opponent to 18-62 (29.0%) three point shooting.
- Mo Williams is also feeling the March Madness, as his numbers have been very solid so far this month. In fact, up until last month, Mo's points per game have increased every single month. He hasn't averaged under 18.7 points per game in a month so far this new year. Here are his stats from the four games so far this month:
Mo Williams (4 games): 22.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists on 31-58 (53.4%) shooting, including 13-19 (68.4%) from three.
Furthermore, after scoring only 9 points in San Antonio, his first single-digit scoring game in 8 games prior, Mo Williams has rebounded strongly. He has scored in double figures on better than 50% shooting each game since then, setting his highest points per game mark in a month this season.
- Similarly, Anderson Varejao has played a solid role in the month of March, sliding into the starting forward slot for the injured Ben Wallace. Last night Andy continued his active play, picking up 15 points on 5-8 (62.5%) shooting. Here are his March numbers:
Anderson Varejao (4 games): 8.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.8 steals on 12-23 (52.2%) shooting.
The Bad.
Despite a shining 27-1 home record this season, the Cavs have had some struggles on the road this season. The bad thing is that six of the twelve road losses have come to teams slated as seeds 2-6 in the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Here is a closer look as the Cavs continue their quest for home court advantage:
At the current 2-6 seeds in the EC (Boston, Orlando, Atlanta, Miami, and Detroit):
- Record: 2-6 with an average of 92.3 points per game to the opponent's 97.3 points per game.
- The Cavaliers are shooting 261-592 (44.1%) from the floor, compared to the opponent's 286-609 (47.0%) shooting.
The one good thing to take away from this however is the fact that the Cavs started out 0-5 on the road against such teams and have improved to 2-1 over the last three. Over these three road games LeBron is averaging 29.7 points per game, with Mo averaging 25.3 points per game on 10-15 (66.7%) three point shooting.
- The poor free throw shooting once again decided to come up at the worst possible moment. As the Cavaliers were mounting a comeback, they were leaving points at the line left and right. The Cavs are now averaging close to three less made free throws on the road as opposed to at home on 72.3% free throw shooting (78.4% at home). Furthermore, the Cavs are now shooting 221-314 (70.4%) from the free throw line in their thirteen losses this season. One culprit in particular, Anderson Varejao, has shot 25-47 (53.2%) from the stripe since February 1st (64.2% in the first four months of the season).
The Ugly.
The Cavs have now lost their last 9 games at Boston dating back to three seasons ago, including the four games at Boston this past post-season. Here is a look at the numbers from those games, broken down by regular and post-season:
Last 4 games at Boston in playoffs: 0-4.
- Cavs: 81.5 points per game on 38.6% shooting, Celtics: 89.5 points per game on 43.2% shooting.
- LeBron James (4 games): 28.3 points, 6.5 assists, and 5.5 rebounds on 34-96 (35.4%) shooting and an atrocious 3-26 (11.5%) three point shooting. LeBron also averaged 5.8 turnovers per game and tied a record for most turnovers in a playoff game with 10, a record he had already been tied with previously.
- Most points by another Cavs player: 22 by Zydrunas Ilgauskas (averaged 13.8 points over the four games).
- Managed to shoot a worse field goal percentage all four games.
Last 5 regular season games @ Boston: 0-5.
- Cavs: 86.4 points per game on 41.1% shooting, Celtics: 93.0 points per game on 47.4% shooting.
- LeBron James (3 games): 23.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists on 21-60 (35%) shooting.
- Most points by another Cavs player: 26 by Mo Williams (averaging 19.0 points in two games @ Boston).
- Managed to shoot a worse field goal percentage all five games.
As you undoubtedly notice, the Cavs simply fail to outperform the Celtics in Boston. LeBron appears to be mortal and unfortunately falls in love with the three ball, as the defense constantly collapses around him when he drives. Also, the fact that the Cavs have shot a worse field goal percentage all nine losses in Boston is a testament to the poor offensive looks combined with the limits their defense places on second chance attempts. Hope is around the corner, however, as LeBron is averaging 30.8 points per game in his last four games at Boston, despite his performance last night.
View from the other side:
- Paul Pierce complemented his 29 points last night with a season-high 9 assists.
- In 26 minutes off of the bench, Leon Powe scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. The 20 points is a season-high and the 11 rebounds ties a season-high in that category as Powe picked up his second double-double of the season.