Game 27 | Cavs @ Golden State | December 25th, 2015 | 5:00pm EST

[Sebastian]

I still think it's a toss up over 7 games, if we are speaking to healthy rosters.

Cavs missed a bunch of open shots. Those tend to average out.

Warriors shot OK against a bunch of contested shots.

The larger room for improvement lies with the Cavs IMO.

Doesn't guarantee anything but the Cavs gameplan obviously worked. You hold a team like the Warriors to under 90 points, you only need an average offensive night to win. Unfortunately the Cavs didn't get one but that is the blueprint. Grind it out, slow the game down and try to draw fouls. Maybe next time the refs cooperate a little more.

I agree. Right now the Cavs are more or less an even match-up with GSW over that Seven-Game Series. However, GSW has been healthy all season and have played together as a complete unit for a season and a half now. By June, provided the Cavs stay healthy, and having played together as a unit for five months, I say they can take them in six games. The Cavs simply match up too well against the Warriors and given time to get fully-synced I think they are too much for Golden State to handle.

Moreover, the Warriors have yet to face any real adversity (not really their fault for not catching the injury bug) over the past two seasons. Sure, they went down 2-1 in the Finals, but, frankly, their three-straight subsequent wins had more to do with the depleted Cavaliers running out of steam than them outplaying them. I say they lack grit and iron. When they are given the full measure of a healthy Cavs team, running on all cylinders, they will break.

 

[Dr. Claw]

Shooting was dismal. That's all I have to say. Rest of the Cavs play was fine. Was expecting them to get blown out more at this stage. Let the agendas fly. As long as the Cavs don't get hurt any further they'll be fine.

 

[LeGOAT]

Shot pretty disgracefully but I come out of that quite content and still in no doubt we (healthy) beat these in the finals. But I dont think they'll get there anyway.

 

[macbdog]

ha, it's a color

He's probably colorblind, Mr. Insensitive.

 

[HurricaneKid]

I'm shocked at the tone of the board after one regular season game in December. Last year we found out our Cavs weren't good enough without Love and Kyrie to beat this team. What we found out yesterday is that our Cavs still weren't good enough to beat this team without Kyrie and Love. It really shouldn't be a shock to anyone.

I think most of us probably thought Kyrie was closer to full speed than he actually is. But if GSW elect to defend him the same way in the Finals should we meet again, he is going to destroy them.

Outside of JSwish we shot 1/22 from 3 (and the make was an awful LeBron shot). Most of those were clean looks. Playing a 27-1 team on the road shooting like that is going to end up in disappointment. We defended incredibly well and got better shots.

 

[Mr. Orange]

I'm shocked at the tone of the board after one regular season game in December. Last year we found out our Cavs weren't good enough without Love and Kyrie to beat this team. What we found out yesterday is that our Cavs still weren't good enough to beat this team without Kyrie and Love. It really shouldn't be a shock to anyone.

I think most of us probably thought Kyrie was closer to full speed than he actually is. But if GSW elect to defend him the same way in the Finals should we meet again, he is going to destroy them.

Outside of JSwish we shot 1/22 from 3 (and the make was an awful LeBron shot). Most of those were clean looks. Playing a 27-1 team on the road shooting like that is going to end up in disappointment. We defended incredibly well and got better shots.

You have to make shots to win in the NBA. Especially against GS and SAS. The Cavs were not up for it yesterday and lost. Disappointing but really who cares? I still don't think they will play GS in the Finals. On to Cincinnati.

 

[Rich]

I agree. Right now the Cavs are more or less an even match-up with GSW over that Seven-Game Series. However, GSW has been healthy all season and have played together as a complete unit for a season and a half now. By June, provided the Cavs stay healthy, and having played together as a unit for five months, I say they can take them in six games. The Cavs simply match up too well against the Warriors and given time to get fully-synced I think they are too much for Golden State to handle.

Moreover, the Warriors have yet to face any real adversity (not really their fault for not catching the injury bug) over the past two seasons. Sure, they went down 2-1 in the Finals, but, frankly, their three-straight subsequent wins had more to do with the depleted Cavaliers running out of steam than them outplaying them. I say they lack grit and iron. When they are given the full measure of a healthy Cavs team, running on all cylinders, they will break.

Everyone realize Harrison Barnes hasnt played in like a month? Its funny we talk about injuries to a guy like Shumpert, and then act like Harrison Barnes is just some throw away player.

 

[Green Lantern]

Livingston hurt us last year and was the difference tonight. He bought the Warriors a few minutes of star rest to start the 4th by getting buckets surrounded by 3rd stringers.

I'm not sure how the Cavs do it, but finding somebody off the bench that can score without being reliant on the 3 ball would be big. I was hoping maybe Jefferson could do some of that, but he was MIA tonight.

Yes that matchup bothered me..why Blatt didn't use certain players bugged me..
I don't think he switched Shump off on Livingston was puzzling..someone needed to bang with him to take out further when he isn't effective.

 

[HurricaneKid]

Yes that matchup bothered me..why Blatt didn't use certain players bugged me..
I don't think he switched Shump off on Livingston was puzzling..someone needed to bang with him to take out further when he isn't effective.

I love Shaun. Good guy that had one of the all time worst injuries. I'm glad he has been able to stay in the league. Given where he was a few years ago that was far from a given. Unfortunately, he hasn't exactly worked through the weak spots in his game. GSW changed the Memphis series last year when they put a big on Tony Allen. Teams have really done the same to Livingston this year. He is 5/23 from beyond 16' on the season and that has really limited his contributions this year as teams have helped off him and defended him at the hoop and in the post exclusively. Blatt just completely missed how to play him. Just put a post defender on him (KLove would be perfect as he can't do a lot of other things defensively) and push him out to >16 and you are clear.

 

[ticon12389]

I haven't read the thread and don't comment in game day threads hardly ever, but I will say that yesterday just confirmed to me that the Warriors aren't a team to be feared. If the Cavs face them full strength in a 7 game series, I am confident they will win.

 

[Photon]

Ok so we talked before game, how both teams probably wont try some extra adjustments just to win this game and I still think that was true. Some things were obvious but maybe Blatt just didn't want to show them. We WILL play them or SA in june, so it matters.

 

[Green Lantern]

I love Shaun. Good guy that had one of the all time worst injuries. I'm glad he has been able to stay in the league. Given where he was a few years ago that was far from a given. Unfortunately, he hasn't exactly worked through the weak spots in his game. GSW changed the Memphis series last year when they put a big on Tony Allen. Teams have really done the same to Livingston this year. He is 5/23 from beyond 16' on the season and that has really limited his contributions this year as teams have helped off him and defended him at the hoop and in the post exclusively. Blatt just completely missed how to play him. Just put a post defender on him (KLove would be perfect as he can't do a lot of other things defensively) and push him out to >16 and you are clear.

I agree..he was inside the paint way too much with no pressure on his shot..no one to really press him to hurry his shot or give it up.

 

[Rich]

I haven't read the thread and don't comment in game day threads hardly ever, but I will say that yesterday just confirmed to me that the Warriors aren't a team to be feared. If the Cavs face them full strength in a 7 game series, I am confident they will win.

That's great. Meanwhile the Cavs confirmed the next night what has been apparent all season. Neither GSW nor SA should fear the Cavs in June.

 

[shoes22]

That's great. Meanwhile the Cavs confirmed the next night what has been apparent all season. Neither GSW nor SA should fear the Cavs in June.

Good. I really hope they don’t fear us.
Having no respect for your opponent is how you get beat.

 

[BigJ]

Good. I really hope they don’t fear us.
Having no respect for your opponent is how you get beat.

Exactly.. let everybody think that..
The narrative already is building that whoever wins the West is automatic Champ.

I am actually fine with that.
It will make Lebron and our whole Team be pissed and keep them on the edge.

We almost beat GSW at home!!! on Christmas while we are still integrating 2 main guys.

I think our combination of pace control and defense is a serious Problem for ANY Team.
Now if we can keep Kyrie,Love and Lebron healthy through the Finals we also will have a deadly scoring trio.

But its ok.. let them think GSW and SA are unbeatable.. if we manage to beat them it will be so much sweeter.