David Blatt to evaluate 'a couple' guys in preseason finale versus Memphis Grizzlies; breaks down Mike Miller's shooting funk
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Mike Miller, shown calling out a play against Dallas, has been trying to get his shooting on track this preseason. The Cavaliers play at Memphis tonight.
(John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer)
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Chris Haynes, Northeast Ohio Media Group
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on October 22, 2014 at 1:10 PM, updated October 22, 2014 at 3:02 PM
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Cavaliers (5-1) have one more game left on their exhibition schedule and it will be another chance for the team to build continuity and chemistry.
Tonight's finale against the Memphis Grizzlies (2-4) will be about getting some much-needed work done without their best player, LeBron James, in the lineup.
Some players will have their workload increased because of his absence, but head coach David Blatt also wants to make sure his guys come out healthy.
"Obviously with LeBron not playing, it's going to look different in terms of how we're going to work the rotations, and honestly this being the last preparation game, we do want to be conscientious but also careful," Blatt said at this morning's shootaround. "We want to come out of here in one piece."
Blatt said he'll play this evening's game similar to that of a regular-season affair with the exception of evaluating "a couple" of guys on the fringe of making the roster.
Point guard A.J. Price and rookie center Alex Kirk are two notable candidates for a roster spot. This very well could be their last game in a Cavaliers uniform, and Blatt wants to make sure they get a thorough evaluation before a final decision is made.
"We're going to see how the game develops, but I would like to see these guys get on the floor a little bit," Blatt said.
Sharpshooter Mike Miller is expected to see the floor tonight, but he has been in a shooting funk this preseason. He is shooting 26 percent from the field and is 2-of-13 from long distance. Miller is a career 40 percent 3-point shooter.
Blatt says he believes Miller's preseason numbers are a byproduct of the players he has shared time with.
"I just think that we didn't have a lot of opportunities to put Mike on the floor with the kind of lineups that are good for him," said Blatt. "That will be something we'll be thinking about between now and the time the season starts, because he has a lot to offer us. I think it's on us to sort of find the combinations that will allow him to play in his normal fashion."
Blatt didn't appear overly worried with Miller's play. Shooters always tend to find their rhythm. However, it would be nice if Miller found his shooting stroke tonight against his old team.
It's going to be up to Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love and Dion Waiters to set their floor-spacer up. He's going to need them if he is to break out of this rut before the regular season rolls around.
"(For) Mike, obviously it's best for him when he's on the floor with a lot of the creative players so he can spot up and do what he does best," Blatt said.