2023-24 Playoff Series #1 | Game #6 | Cavs @ Magic | May 3, 2024

[Thelastcavsfan]

I’ve always been a big believer in let the stars get theirs and guard everyone else. Don’t double Banchero

 

[2 For The Brew]

I’ve always been a big believer in let the stars get theirs and guard everyone else. Don’t double Banchero

If an opponent is killing you scoring the ball its often a good idea to mix up coverages. Using an occasional double team might help break his rhythm.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

Banchero has been getting the ball and backing his man down to the elbow or free throw line for a fallaway jumper. There may be opportunities to swipe the ball when he is focusing on the man he is backing down. But if you miss he'll have an open shooter to pass to.

The basic problem is they have two 6'10" forwards with offensive skills so if Allen guards their center and Mobley guards Banchero then Okoro or Strus has to guard Wagner with a huge height disadvantage.

 

[KilgoreTrout]

He's got a bum knee

Like, ligament damage? And playing through it is out of the question?

 

[Meatwad]

20 pt L. See y'all Sunday.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

I noticed that nobody else even attempts to start Cavs game day threads. It's like we all voluntarily defer to @Wham with the Right Hand because of the phenomenal job he does. It's like we all know instinctively that it would be wrong for anyone else to do that.

One of the things I love about RCF.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

20 pt L. See y'all Sunday.

I think the spread is Orlando -3.5.

I pretty much never make sports bets, and I've never bet against my own team. But damn, it's tempting to throw a hundo at that.

 

[cliffdawg]

I think the spread is Orlando -3.5.

I pretty much never make sports bets, and I've never bet against my own team. But damn, it's tempting to throw a hundo at that.

The only reason I would make that bet, Could be a win-win as long as the Cavs win or Orlando covers……

 

[Kuiper]

Like, ligament damage? And playing through it is out of the question?

He's been out so long that you might as well consider it season-ending at this point. The last game he played was almost two months ago on March 8.

 

[jjvors]

My prediction:

Game 6, If 3-2 chance of victory 49%, Cavs 119-116

We have to shoot 3s well and defend well.

If both Garland and Mitchell play well and shoot well, we'll be hard to beat. Garland can score 30 and Mitchell 40. They really can't guard them.

 

[Cassity14]

I’ve always been a big believer in let the stars get theirs and guard everyone else. Don’t double Banchero

In a vacuum I agree with you.

However, there is a real emotional tax to this. It is deflating to watch the same guy light you up possession after possession and endure the shit talking that comes with it.

I believe the truth is in the middle, and that you have to mix up defenders and coverages in a way that forces the star player to actually think, but don't over-commit and leave other guys wide open.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

The only reason I would make that bet, Could be a win-win as long as the Cavs win or Orlando covers……

Yeah, a Cavs loss would be much easier to take with an extra $100. And if they win, it's money well-spent.

Cavs losing but covering seems very unlikely to me.

 

[Jscc]

Orlando being a -3.5 favorite depresses me.

DG and Mobley's last game gives me hope though. Both learned how they can contribute and hopefully that gives them the confidence that they can be 2 of the top 3 best players in this series.

 

[Cassity14]

Orlando being a -3.5 favorite depresses me.

DG and Mobley's last game gives me hope though. Both learned how they can contribute and hopefully that gives them the confidence that they can be 2 of the top 3 best players in this series.

Doesn't depress me at all.

Cavs got absolutely blown out both of the previous games in Orlando. This line suggests that the game is viewed very close to a pick-em because 3 points, especially given the context of the series and Jarrett Allen's uncertainty, is about as small of a margin as you could give the home team imo.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

The Cavs got blasted by 23 and 38 the first two games here. Then in Cleveland they won by one point after winning the first two by 14 and 10. No way I'd bet on the Cavs tonight, especially if Allen is out and the Magic had two days to game plan instead of two hours.

The Cavs will lose by double digits. I'd say not as badly as Games 3 and 4 because Morris is in for Niang, but I don't see a Cavs' win or a three-point loss.

Garland and Strus continuing to play at the level they played on Tuesday will keep the score from being embarassing, IMO.

Gary Harris is questionable for tonight, but no biggie as he's shooting 25% and averaging 3.8 points in 26 minutes. Horrifying numbers for a starting 2 on a playoff team.