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It’s do or die as the Cavs host the Atlanta Hawks with the winner getting the 8th playoff seed and the loser (if it’s the Cavs) getting a lottery pick as a consolation prize. I guess this is a win-win situation for the Cavs (at least that’s how I see it).
As much as I would love a lottery pick I also want to see how the Cavs stack up against the Heat in 4-5 games with a full lineup (minus Sexton and Wade). I think that series would be very valuable for management to see where the Cavs fall short of being an elite team and help with off-season decision making (Stay the course? Make a big move?)
The Hawks have won their last three games against the Cavs and are coming off a 132-103 beatdown of the Hornets Wednesday night. The Hawks are rolling, having won 8 of their last 10 with the only losses coming to Miami and Toronto. The Cavs, OTOH, have lost 8 of 11.
These teams last played two weeks ago in Atlanta with the Cavs playing the second game of a back-to-back on the road without Allen and Mobley. The Hawks handed the Cavs their worst defeat of the year by a score of 131-107. Every Hawks starter was between +16 and +24 as the Hawks sprinted out to a 100-75 lead after three quarters in a laugher.
This time around the game is in Cleveland and the Cavs will have Evan Mobley. They’ve also had two days off. The Hawks on the season are 27-14 at home and 16-25 on the road, so I expect a much more competitive game this time around. The Cavs played the Nets tough on Tuesday and will hopefully have a great game plan and come out strong in the first quarter, which they have not done their last two games. The last two games were basically lost in the first quarter so getting out fast will be key.
Will we see a different starting lineup?
The Hawks have not defeated a top ten team on the road in nearly three months. The Cavs are not a top ten team at the moment, but the point is the Hawks have not been beating good teams on the road all year. But they are definitely putting it all together now just like they did last year at this time.
Bickerstaff lit into the team following that 24-point loss to the Hawks on March 31. He said they were “standing and watching” on offense, going one-on-one, and not moving or sharing the ball. On defense there was “not enough force” and “we gave up everything”. I’m pretty sure we’ll see more movement, ball-sharing, and defensive physicality tonight.
From Chris Fedor’s pre-game column:
With the season on the line, a source told cleveland.com “everything’s on the table.” A starting lineup change. Shortened rotation. Longer stretches for the mainstays. New defensive schemes.
This isn’t the time to hold anything back.
The Hawks had 12 offensive rebounds in that game as centers Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu combined for 40 points, 26 rebounds, and 4 blocks, taking advantage of the absence of Allen and Mobley. It’s unlikely Allen will play so the pressure is on Mobley, Love, and Markkanen to prevent Capela and Okongwu from destroying the Cavs in the paint.
If I’m Bickerstaff I’m playing Stevens more than Okoro since defensive rebounding will be crucial.
Against the Cavs this year Capela is averaging 11.3 points and 14.5 rebounds per game, including an outrageous 6.3 offensive boards per game. Trae Young gets penetration and forces the Cavs’ big man to contest his shot, leaving Capela to clean up on the offensive glass. Capela is 6’10”, 256 pounds, and a relentless grinder on the glass. We really need both Mobley and Allen to counter this guy, although Moses Brown is an option. Brown had 15 points and 13 rebounds in the one game he played against the Hawks this year.
The Hawks have seven players averaging double figures, although PF John Collins may not be available with a finger injury. Trae Young leads the way with 28.4 points and 9.7 assists per game. He averages 32.5 points against the Cavs his year on 41% from deep. The Cavs have not figured out how to slow him down.
The Hawks average 117 points per game at home against 111 away. As a team the Hawks are shooting just under 40% on 3’s against the Cavs. A key to this game will be better 3-point defense by the Cavs.
As a team the Cavs are shooting 30.6% on 3’s against Atlanta in four games. That has to improve. Markkanen and LeVert are averaging 9.3 and 9.0 points against the Hawks so they need to snap out of it. The Cavs need everyone to bring their A game tonight. Marky in particular has been a no-show against the Hawks, shooting 30% overall and 17% on 3’s against them. LeVert is at 38% and 14% in two games. The Hawks are below average defensively so there is no excuse for those numbers. This game is the reason we traded for LeVert. He needs to show up on both sides of the ball.
The Hawks rank 21st in scoring defense and are allowing 113 points per game on the road. The Cavs should be able to score if they move the ball and hit their open 3’s. Kevin Love is averaging 19.0 points per game and 42% on 3’s against the Hawks so we need him to keep that going.
The Hawks rank 23rd in block percentage and 19th in opponent's points in the paint, so attacking the rim is a good option. The Hawks rank 28th in opponents’ turnovers per game, so you can get shots up against them. It’s simple - attack the rim and get a layup or a foul, or kick it out and knock down the open 3.
Jarrett Allen is going to attempt to play. Whether he plays and whether he can play effectively is to be determined. If he can at least help keep Capela off the glass while throwing down lobs off pick and rolls he would be a valuable addition. His presence would also allow Mobley to defend on the perimeter and discourage or alter 3-point attempts.
John Collins is out and Bogdan Bogdanovic is listed as a game time decision. Bogdanovic is their third leading scorer at 15.1 ppg so it will be a factor if he can't play.
Why the Cavs will win:
1. The Hawks are an awful road team at 16-25 while the Cavs are 25-16 at home.
2. The Cavs had two days off to prepare against one for the Hawks. The Cavs will be rested and at home. They will shoot better than 30% on 3’s against this team.
Why the Hawks will win:
1. They are playing better than the Cavs; they won 8 of 10 while the Cavs have lost 8 of 11.
2. The Hawks are a very good and well-balanced offensive team while the Cavs are missing their best defender (or not).
3. Clint Capela destroys the Cavs on the offensive glass.
4. The team with the best individual player usually wins games like this and Young is the best player on the floor.
5. Young, Bogdanovic, Hunter, Huerter, and Gallinari are all shooting between 36% to 39% on 3’s. The Hawks will rack up 3’s while Capela cleans up on the offensive glass. Young will get consistent dribble penetration off a screen and finish with a layup, draw a foul (with plenty of help from the refs), lob to a big for a dunk, or kick it out for a 3.
I hope this isn't my last game preview of the season, but if it is, thanks to everybody for reading and all the encouragement. I enjoyed putting these together. Hope I get to do at least four more before the season is over.
As much as I would love a lottery pick I also want to see how the Cavs stack up against the Heat in 4-5 games with a full lineup (minus Sexton and Wade). I think that series would be very valuable for management to see where the Cavs fall short of being an elite team and help with off-season decision making (Stay the course? Make a big move?)
The Hawks have won their last three games against the Cavs and are coming off a 132-103 beatdown of the Hornets Wednesday night. The Hawks are rolling, having won 8 of their last 10 with the only losses coming to Miami and Toronto. The Cavs, OTOH, have lost 8 of 11.
These teams last played two weeks ago in Atlanta with the Cavs playing the second game of a back-to-back on the road without Allen and Mobley. The Hawks handed the Cavs their worst defeat of the year by a score of 131-107. Every Hawks starter was between +16 and +24 as the Hawks sprinted out to a 100-75 lead after three quarters in a laugher.
This time around the game is in Cleveland and the Cavs will have Evan Mobley. They’ve also had two days off. The Hawks on the season are 27-14 at home and 16-25 on the road, so I expect a much more competitive game this time around. The Cavs played the Nets tough on Tuesday and will hopefully have a great game plan and come out strong in the first quarter, which they have not done their last two games. The last two games were basically lost in the first quarter so getting out fast will be key.
Will we see a different starting lineup?
The Hawks have not defeated a top ten team on the road in nearly three months. The Cavs are not a top ten team at the moment, but the point is the Hawks have not been beating good teams on the road all year. But they are definitely putting it all together now just like they did last year at this time.
Bickerstaff lit into the team following that 24-point loss to the Hawks on March 31. He said they were “standing and watching” on offense, going one-on-one, and not moving or sharing the ball. On defense there was “not enough force” and “we gave up everything”. I’m pretty sure we’ll see more movement, ball-sharing, and defensive physicality tonight.
From Chris Fedor’s pre-game column:
With the season on the line, a source told cleveland.com “everything’s on the table.” A starting lineup change. Shortened rotation. Longer stretches for the mainstays. New defensive schemes.
This isn’t the time to hold anything back.
The Hawks had 12 offensive rebounds in that game as centers Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu combined for 40 points, 26 rebounds, and 4 blocks, taking advantage of the absence of Allen and Mobley. It’s unlikely Allen will play so the pressure is on Mobley, Love, and Markkanen to prevent Capela and Okongwu from destroying the Cavs in the paint.
If I’m Bickerstaff I’m playing Stevens more than Okoro since defensive rebounding will be crucial.
Against the Cavs this year Capela is averaging 11.3 points and 14.5 rebounds per game, including an outrageous 6.3 offensive boards per game. Trae Young gets penetration and forces the Cavs’ big man to contest his shot, leaving Capela to clean up on the offensive glass. Capela is 6’10”, 256 pounds, and a relentless grinder on the glass. We really need both Mobley and Allen to counter this guy, although Moses Brown is an option. Brown had 15 points and 13 rebounds in the one game he played against the Hawks this year.
The Hawks have seven players averaging double figures, although PF John Collins may not be available with a finger injury. Trae Young leads the way with 28.4 points and 9.7 assists per game. He averages 32.5 points against the Cavs his year on 41% from deep. The Cavs have not figured out how to slow him down.
The Hawks average 117 points per game at home against 111 away. As a team the Hawks are shooting just under 40% on 3’s against the Cavs. A key to this game will be better 3-point defense by the Cavs.
As a team the Cavs are shooting 30.6% on 3’s against Atlanta in four games. That has to improve. Markkanen and LeVert are averaging 9.3 and 9.0 points against the Hawks so they need to snap out of it. The Cavs need everyone to bring their A game tonight. Marky in particular has been a no-show against the Hawks, shooting 30% overall and 17% on 3’s against them. LeVert is at 38% and 14% in two games. The Hawks are below average defensively so there is no excuse for those numbers. This game is the reason we traded for LeVert. He needs to show up on both sides of the ball.
The Hawks rank 21st in scoring defense and are allowing 113 points per game on the road. The Cavs should be able to score if they move the ball and hit their open 3’s. Kevin Love is averaging 19.0 points per game and 42% on 3’s against the Hawks so we need him to keep that going.
The Hawks rank 23rd in block percentage and 19th in opponent's points in the paint, so attacking the rim is a good option. The Hawks rank 28th in opponents’ turnovers per game, so you can get shots up against them. It’s simple - attack the rim and get a layup or a foul, or kick it out and knock down the open 3.
Jarrett Allen is going to attempt to play. Whether he plays and whether he can play effectively is to be determined. If he can at least help keep Capela off the glass while throwing down lobs off pick and rolls he would be a valuable addition. His presence would also allow Mobley to defend on the perimeter and discourage or alter 3-point attempts.
John Collins is out and Bogdan Bogdanovic is listed as a game time decision. Bogdanovic is their third leading scorer at 15.1 ppg so it will be a factor if he can't play.
Why the Cavs will win:
1. The Hawks are an awful road team at 16-25 while the Cavs are 25-16 at home.
2. The Cavs had two days off to prepare against one for the Hawks. The Cavs will be rested and at home. They will shoot better than 30% on 3’s against this team.
Why the Hawks will win:
1. They are playing better than the Cavs; they won 8 of 10 while the Cavs have lost 8 of 11.
2. The Hawks are a very good and well-balanced offensive team while the Cavs are missing their best defender (or not).
3. Clint Capela destroys the Cavs on the offensive glass.
4. The team with the best individual player usually wins games like this and Young is the best player on the floor.
5. Young, Bogdanovic, Hunter, Huerter, and Gallinari are all shooting between 36% to 39% on 3’s. The Hawks will rack up 3’s while Capela cleans up on the offensive glass. Young will get consistent dribble penetration off a screen and finish with a layup, draw a foul (with plenty of help from the refs), lob to a big for a dunk, or kick it out for a 3.
I hope this isn't my last game preview of the season, but if it is, thanks to everybody for reading and all the encouragement. I enjoyed putting these together. Hope I get to do at least four more before the season is over.
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