Game Thread | 2021-22 Season | Game #5 | Cavs @ Clippers | Oct. 27, 2021

DirtyDan said:

First it was Nwaba, now it's Stevens. The Cavs have an odd affinity for one dimensional wings

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Stevens is for sure one demensional....he is an elite No 3 and D wing.

Major reason we won is rebounding...we outrebounded the Clips a whopping 57-36.

You will win most games you have a 20+ rebounding edge.

Lee said:

Major reason we won is rebounding...we outrebounded the Clips a whopping 57-36.

You will win most games you have a 20+ rebounding edge.

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Sexton had at least three more rebounds than anyone on the Clips not named Paul George. Only thing Collin didn’t do was hit a three.

2 For The Brew said:

Sexton had at least three more rebounds than anyone on the Clips not named Paul George. Only thing Collin didn’t do was hit a three.

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He had a good game, but his shooting was a bit off. Galrand had 16 points on 8 shots and led the team with 6 assists. I am starting to change my tune on Sexland being able to work. If you are going to have 2 elite 7 foot defenders protecting the rim and Sexland are going to stay in front of guards at the 3 point line, they can work. Especially as their roles are more defined...Garland runs the offense, and Sexton bails them out and just scores.

Lee said:

He had a good game, but his shooting was a bit off. Galrand had 16 points on 8 shots and led the team with 6 assists. I am starting to change my tune on Sexland being able to work. If you are going to have 2 elite 7 foot defenders protecting the rim and Sexland are going to stay in front of guards at the 3 point line, they can work. Especially as their roles are more defined...Garland runs the offense, and Sexton bails them out and just scores.

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The other key is Collin made some excellent defensive plays after turnovers to stop easy buckets. If he can do that and be a pest on D that will offset some of his height disadvantage.

We just beat 3 deep postseason rosters in a row, I don't care where the 3 pointers are falling.

I think you all are being too pessimistic about this Cavalier's team. It seems you think you are going out on a limb by predicting they can win 33 games! We are two 4th quarter melt downs away from being 5-0 with a tough opening schedule. Moreover, folding in the 4th quarter is something we fixed in games 3 through 5. I understand the hesitancy to get excited about Cleveland teams due to our history of having expectations dashed. But I don't see how any objective observe who only watched the games played this season, who knew nothing about the past, wouldn't put the Cavs in the top half of the league based on how they are playing right now.

I keep reading how expectations need to be kept low because we are so young. On the contrary, my expectations are high due to this youth, because their improvement is going to be rapid. Mobley has only played five games and he is already an elite defender. Markkanen has surprised all of us with his defense, but he hasn't started shooting well yet, and that is his best asset. He is still getting comfortable in a new position. Sexton, Garland, and Okoro seem to know and accept their roles (easier to do when we are winning). Allen is playing like an all-star.

Other than Mobley, though, the biggest difference is the steady presence of Rubio and the resurgence of Love. Those two have seen it all in the NBA and their influence on the youngsters cannot be overstated. Together they can give us 50 very valuable minutes per night.

I don't see the 3-point shooting woes continuing. Love and Markkanen are proven shooters. If Windler can ever get healthy, we've seen what he can do. (Give him 12-15 minutes per night and keep Osman on the bench.) Garland is an excellent 3-point shooter and I think our big men are good enough passers to find him. I'd like to see Okoro and Sexton each improve by about 10% -- that would transform the team.

All this to say ... 40+ wins for the Cavs and a playoff spot.

The Clippers were averaging 114 ppg and the Cavs held them to 79 - 35 points below their average. This defense is for real!

Paul George was 6-for-20 and 0-for-8 from deep. This is a guy who has killed the Cavs in the past. I thought they would have trouble defending him with Okoro out but Markkanen, Allen, Mobley and Stevens did a great job.

Bickerstaff started the fourth quarter with Garland, Sexton, and Rubio on the floor at the same time and the Cavs increased their lead from 8 to 14 points in just over three minutes.

Sexton came up big with 26 points, 7 rebounds, and a +17. In a game where points were very hard to come by the Cavs needed somebody to score and Sexton answered the bell. Whenever the shot clock was expiring and the offense was dead in the water they got the ball to Collin and he made something happen. He's the only player they have that can make something out of nothing with an expiring clock.

Garland had a line of 16/4/6. Rubio had 15 points off the bench and was a +15. The guards were huge on a night where the three bigs combined for just 23 points. The only complaint is the turnovers; 6 for Garland, 5 for Sexton, and 4 for Rubio. They have a tendency to try and thread too many needles but I think their judgement will improve as we go forward.

Love was again a solid contributor with 10 points, 10 boards, and a +9. He looks like he is enjoying himself. They may sit him tomorrow after playing 24 minutes tonight.

Another fantastic and unexpected win. We all thought the Cavs would take a beating on this western trip but it's not happening. Teams that play great defense have a chance to win every night, even when they go 3-for-20 from deep.

Edit: The Cavs won't beat this team when they get Kawhi Leonard back, but let's enjoy the win anyway.

Dr. Claw said:

Defense comparable to Okoro, who he's replacing in the lineup.

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I’ll say it out loud - Stevens gives us as much as Okoro at the SF. He’s bigger, stronger, more relentless, finishes at the rim as well, and rebounds much better. Neither can shoot, pass, or handle. Okoro could be hurt all year and Stevens could step in and it wouldn’t change the outcomes of many games.

2 For The Brew said:

Garland & Love 3/6 from 3, rest of team 0/14. That won’t get it done most nights. I’m not complaining though; we’re kicking ass on a brutal road trip. Team is quickly winning respect around the NBA.

I shouldn’t be greedy but I do want to beat the arthritis-ridden Lakers in the worst way.

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That may well prove to be more of an issue for certain players than the team. There are guys on the roster who don't really have a place in the NBA if they can't at least shoot league average from 3. I don't understand how Cedi, Wade, Windler, and Stevens didn't take hundreds of 3 point shots a day over the summer.

Dr No said:

I’ll say it out loud - Stevens gives us as much as Okoro at the SF. He’s bigger, stronger, more relentless, finishes at the rim as well, and rebounds much better. Neither can shoot, pass, or handle. Okoro could be hurt all year and Stevens could step in and it wouldn’t change the outcomes of many games.

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Okoro has a better handle and is a better passer than Stevens.

CavsKermit said:

Okoro has a better handle and is a better passer than Stevens.

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Which is a little bit like saying Drummond was faster than K-Love. It’s true, but not much to brag about.

Dr No said:

Which is a little bit like saying Drummond was faster than K-Love. It’s true, but not much to brag about.

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Let me be clearer, Okoro has a significantly better handle and is a significantly better passer than Stevens.

CavsKermit said:

Okoro has a better handle and is a better passer than Stevens.

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Also think Okoro's better at the hoop for non-dunking reasons. He makes some ridiculous shots there.