For some reason we just can't beat the Bulls, even with LaVine out. Tonight there were a couple of reasons, mainly the horrible 3-point shooting. The Cavs made 6-of-24. They were 2-for-18 at one point but knocked down four late ones to give them a shot. Love and Cedi combined to go 2-for-17 from deep. I know this was a road game, but 2-for-17?
The other reason they lost was the inability to control the defensive glass. The Cavs gave up 14 offensive rebounds, including several late in the 4th quarter that cost them dearly. Having clawed back to within two points they allowed consecutive offensive boards that led to a wide open 3-point shot that put them in a deep hole. They gave up a huge put-back in the final minute when Nance blocked out his man but Drummond and Love just stood there a watched Harrison run past them for an uncontested put-back that finished them off.
But the Cavs dished out 29 assists, so that was outstanding. Sexton was 12-for-16 for 26 points and five assists. He should have had a couple more if Drummond could catch the damn ball. The Cavs committed 18 turnovers and Dre was responsible for six of them. He also committed five fouls. Not a great game for the big man as the Bulls made a lot of layups over him.
Nance had a nice game with 16/4/6 and two steals, going 6-for-6 from the field.
This was a very winnable game, but with Cedi and Love going cold from the 3-point line the Cavs came up a little short. Cedi had a rough game going 4-for-16 for a -13, worse than anyone other than McKinnie.
Two days off before back-to-backs on Friday and Saturday. Hope we can get TT back by then.