Game Thread | Game #64 | Raptors @ Cavs | Feb. 26, 2023 | 6 p.m.

MirORich said:

Also, I saw JBB and Mitchell holding hands in one of the 3rd qtr timeouts so you’re all stuck with him now. Hopefully it doesn’t get messy and require HR getting involved though.

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In that last Spurs game I think it was, JBB was hugging DG from behind and whispering in his ear mid-game.

MirORich said:

Yeah that’s kind of what coaches do. There are many other 8th/9th guys in a rotation that don’t play every game. It’s not some anomaly

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It’s almost as if the coaching staff took matchups into account but that can’t be it. Everyone knows the coaching staff from JBB on down are idiots.

I can’t wait until Aussie Jesus arrives and JBB will get crushed for not starting him.

Prof123 said:

I've been here long enough now to realize how over the top comments can be during real time. Still, I don't understand all the bitching about our bench scoring 2 points when we are ahead by 30. As if scoring is all that matters.

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Fans don’t understand much except points. But that’s ok. It’s a fan forum.

Jscc said:

In that last Spurs game I think it was, JBB was hugging DG from behind and whispering in his ear mid-game.

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Damn it’s getting steamy in here

Cavs on NBA stats boards:

POINTS​

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ASSISTS​

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STEALS​

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THREE POINTERS MADE​

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So Snyder to the Hawks.

jjvors said:

Cavs on NBA stats boards:

POINTS​

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1.	Joel Embiid	41
2.	Donovan Mitchell	35
3.	Tyler Herro	33
4.	Pascal Siakam	29
5.	Jimmy Butler	28

ASSISTS​

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1.	Tyrese Haliburton	14
2.	LaMelo Ball	13
3.	Darius Garland	11
4.	Jaden Ivey	10
5.	Kris Dunn	8

STEALS​

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1.	Josh Richardson	4
2.	Jaylen Brown	3
2.	James Harden	3
2.	Willy Hernangomez	3
2.	Donovan Mitchell	3

THREE POINTERS MADE​

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1.	Donovan Mitchell	8
2.	Tyler Herro	6
2.	LaMelo Ball	5
2.	Al Horford	5
2.	Tyus Jones	5

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Stat boards are off as the Sixers didn’t play today.

Standings:

Eastern Conference​

2 For The Brew said:

Stat boards are off as the Sixers didn’t play today.

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You're right. They only are showing yesterday's. I inserted the Cavs' players manually.

Cavs highlights:

I think that was a massive mental hurdle game.

2 For The Brew said:

It’s almost as if the coaching staff took matchups into account but that can’t be it. Everyone knows the coaching staff from JBB on down are idiots.

I can’t wait until Aussie Jesus arrives and JBB will get crushed for not starting him.

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I would never start anyone still sporting a mullet.

Aussie Jesus—Man you funny! Lol

kookoo said:

I think that was a massive mental hurdle game.

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Yes, huge win to break a 3-game losing streak and also a 3-game losing streak to Toronto. VanVleet being out was a big help but the Cavs won every quarter and played well in every phase.

Garland was magnificent with a +39 in 34 minutes. Mitchell had a line of 35/6/4. Allen and Mobley were outstanding. However, the bench continues to struggle. Rubio was 0-for-5 with 4 fouls and 2 turnovers. Wade was 1-for-7 and missed several uncontested 3's.

I said in the preview that the key was 3-point shooting. The Cavs did better this time around, holding them to 36% while hitting 50% of their own. The Cavs outscored the Raps by 27 points from deep, reversing the trend of the first three games.

I also said Mitchell needs to get going after shooting 7-for-27 in the last two games against Toronto, and he put up 35 points in three quarters.

The Raptors lead the NBA in steals at 9.3 but only had four as the Cavs did a great job of protecting the ball. The Raptors are second in fast break points per game but the Cavs blew them away 23-6. The Raptors' game is getting steals and fast break points but the Cavs took that away from them.

The defense was very good as the Raptors shot just 38.7% and with nine minutes left Nick Nurse threw in the towel with his team down by 30.

If the Cavs can continue playing at this level on both ends of the court they will win a lot of games in the next few weeks. Toronto had won seven of eight, and even on the second night of a back-to-back on the road and without VanVleet they have a lot of talent. This was a much needed and very impressive win.

Darius interview post-game:

They sure needed a win like that.