2023-24 Season | Game #65 | Suns @ Cavs | March 11, 2024 | 7:30 p.m.

[redscoon]

I absolutely did not expect a win tonight, but the fact that we can show up outgunned that badly and play the Suns tough means we need to stop making excuses for why we are dropping games to the Nets, Hawks, Bulls, etc.

There are tough games on the horizon and every W is going to be important if we are trying to see the 2nd round this year.

 

[CavsKermit]

When we first acquired Niang the first thing I did was go to Sixers forums. The consensus was "you'll love him as a player and he's got some dawg in him, but he's completely unplayable in the playoffs."

JBB will not realize that until we are down 3-1 tho

When his shot isn't falling he's pretty unplayable now.

 

[Bob_The_Cat]

Also, while Garland was 7/10 from 3, LeVert was 3/10.

Also, while LeVert had 11 AST and 1 TO, Garaland had 5 AST and 5 TO...

 

[MrDonut]

That was a great game, a lot of fun.

 

[MirORich]

Firing the coach is enough

Something that totally happens post the trade deadline for top 4 seeds

Like the offseason is coming.

Talking about firing the coach in the game thread of game 60ish as if it’s a thing that would ever happen is just what…..?

Twenty games

Then the playoffs will unfold as they do and if it goes the way you suspect it will go, have no fear, a new coach will be on the horizon.

 

[Tlyons]

I know it's cpj but he was open in the corner, DG drove looked at him and proceeded to throw up a shot on 2 or 3 defenders that had no chance of going in.

I'll rewatch the DG to Allen lob and give my thoughts

 

[CavzAddict]

They fought the whole game. Just not enough fire power down the stretch. I'm surprised we were in it all the way to the end with how hot KD got. We needed Wade to at least slow him down just a notch and Spyda for an easy bucket when they struggled to make a play. The Suns are definitely not world beaters.

I can't complain when I saw they were really trying and could've won without those turnovers at the end.

 

[CavsKermit]

Also, while LeVert had 11 AST and 1 TO, Garaland had 5 AST and 5 TO...

If LeVert, or really any of Garland's teammates hadn't bricked the assist opportunity off the rim, Garland would've had a lot more assists.

Not for nothing, but do you think that the opposing team assigns their best defender to Garland, when they're not doubling him, because they're all stupid?

Clearly, LeVert is better running the team. They should put the tougher defender on him and try to force the ball into Garland's hands.

 

[Tlyons]

I know it's cpj but he was open in the corner, DG drove looked at him and proceeded to throw up a shot on 2 or 3 defenders that had no chance of going in.

I'll rewatch the DG to Allen lob and give my thoughts

Yep, Allen is just so slow to react, man. Whether he didn't think DG would throw a lob or what, just slow reaction time.

 

[Bob_The_Cat]

If LeVert, or really any of Garland's teammates hadn't bricked the assist opportunity off the rim, Garland would've had a lot more assists.

Not for nothing, but do you think that the opposing team assigns their best defender to Garland, when they're not doubling him, because they're all stupid?

Clearly, LeVert is better running the team. They should the tougher defender to him and try to force the ball into Garland's hands.

Yes. If teammates made shots then Garland would have more assists.

That’s not even the issue I’m pointing to here. The issue with Garland is the turnovers, especially late in games. It’s an issue that seemingly gets blamed on other players when it’s been something that’s been a problem for DG his whole career. His clutch numbers are pretty horrific this season.

It’s a problem he needs to solve, because in the playoffs teams are going to force the ball out of Mitchell’s hands and let DG try and beat them. He has to clean up the late game turnovers.

 

[Futuredome]

Shooters need to hit more shots. Merrill, Okoro and Niang were a 3-19......game. With the Garland double team, they were open all night

 

[bushwick_bill]

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

The Suns must be asking themselves how good are the Cavs with Mitchell, Mobley, Strus, and Wade added to the group they had tonight. I'm not even counting TT and Jerome.

The Garland lob to Allen was a little too high and then Okoro had poor court awareness and was standing with both feet on the sideline when he caught the pass down by two points with 26 seconds to go.

Allen must have the softest hands in the league. So many times he has both hands on the ball and it just slips away.

Garland was amazing with 30 points on 17 shots, but the 5 turnovers hurt. Garland is the better shooter; LeVert is the better passer. Porter did a nice job off the bench with 13 points and 6 rebounds.

When the Cavs led at halftime Durant decided enough was enough. He scored 19 in the 3rd quarter to take the Suns from seven points down to six points up going into the 4th.

Niang and Merrill went 1-for-11 on 3's, and shooting 3's is what they are supposed to be good at. Merrill is now 6-for-35 on 3's in his last five games. With Mitchell, Strus, and Jerome out this was his chance to show he's a playa, but I'm not seeing it.

Booker, Beal, and KD scored 88 of the Suns' 117 points. They were simply unstoppable, but we could have won with better 3-point shooting. Garland was 7-for-10 and the rest of the team was 8-for-36.

It's pretty amazing to think this could easily have been a win with better 3-point shooting by Niang, Merrill, and Okoro, who went 3-for-18. But considering this was the second night of a back-to-back I'd say the boys played really well.

 

[CavsKermit]

Yes. If teammates made shots then Garland would have more assists.

That’s not even the issue I’m pointing to here. The issue with Garland is the turnovers, especially late in games. It’s an issue that seemingly gets blamed on other players when it’s been something that’s been a problem for DG his whole career. His clutch numbers are pretty horrific this season.

It’s a problem he needs to solve, because in the playoffs teams are going to force the ball out of Mitchell’s hands and let DG try and beat them. He has to clean up the late game turnovers.

So when they put their best defender on Mitchell, or even double him, I'm guessing things will open up for Garland. This is the precise reason teams carry a second option. But really, Allen can't be letting the ball sail through his hands and Okoro can't have his heels out of bounds regardless of who's running the offense.

 

[CavsKermit]

Honestly, unless you have someone who can effectively defend him, it's almost better to make sure his teammates are contained and hope he misses from the perimeter.