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Game Thread 2020-21 Season | Game #36 | Pacers @ Cavs | March 3, 2021

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Extremely frustrating loss. They literally gave the game away, being outscored 35-10 in points off turnovers. That's a -25 in a one-point loss, not counting the final two free throws off the intentional foul. McConnell set an NBA record in steals in a half with nine. He also put up a double-double for the second time in his career. McConnell is averaging 1.7 steals per game. He had 10 tonight, many of which were off careless passes. He hustled his ass off, but the Cavs failed to match his intensity. With 16 points, 13 assists, and 10 steals McConnell wrecked the Cavs almost by himself.

Malcolm Brogdon went 12-for-15 from the field as the Cavs had no answer for him, either. He had 29 points, including a clutch 15-footer in the final minute.

Windler choked a free throw with 54 seconds left. If he makes it the game goes to OT. He also had a turnover with 1:06 to go but Sexton was partially at fault for not blocking McConnell away from the ball or coming to Windler and getting a handoff.

The Cavs' bench was a joke. Windler, Dotson, Cedi, and McGee were all -12 to -16. The Cavs' bench was 1-for-11 on 3's. They were all but useless. Cedi was 1-for-8

Dean Wade had a career game with 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists with a +13. But he missed three open 3's in the second half and committed a huge turnover late.

The game turned when Garland went out. He scored 16 points in 19 minutes and was a +16, meaning the Cavs were -19 in the 29 minutes he was out. When they tried to have Windler or Dotson play point guard it was ugly. The Cavs were up by 17 when Garland went out and were outscored by 20 over the last 22 minutes.

Sexton ended up playing 43 minutes. He had another All-Star worthy performance with 32 points and 10 assists. But the six turnovers were huge.

The Cavs could have put them away in the first half but committed 18 turnovers. Their 10-point halftime lead should have been at least 25 the way they were shooting.

I'm so disgusted with JaVale McGee continuing to think he's a point guard, dribbling around, getting stripped and throwing passes away. He had five turnovers in 19 minutes.

The combination of Garland's injury, the lack of anything off the bench, and McConnell's career night combined to sink the Cavs. Getting Love and Nance back will help a lot because it will make the bench deeper. Just a frustrating way to end the first half when they were up by 19 at home.
 
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Extremely frustrating loss. They literally gave the game away, being outscored 35-10 in points off turnovers. That's a -25 in a one-point loss, not counting the final two free throws off the intentional foul. McConnell set an NBA record in steals in a half with nine. He also put up a double-double for the second time in his career. McConnell is averaging 1.7 steals per game. He had 10 tonight, many of which were off careless passes. He hustled his ass off, but the Cavs failed to match his intensity. With 16 points, 13 assists, and 10 steals McConnell wrecked the Cavs almost by himself.

Malcolm Brogdon went 12-for-15 from the field as the Cavs had no answer for him, either. He had 29 points, including a clutch 15-footer in the final minute.

Windler choked a free throw with 54 seconds left. If he makes it the game goes to OT. He also had a turnover with 1:06 to go but Sexton was partially at fault for not blocking McConnell away from the ball or coming to Windler and getting a handoff.

The Cavs' bench was a joke. Windler, Dotson, Cedi, and McGee were all -12 to -16. The Cavs' bench was 1-for-11 on 3's. They were all but useless. Cedi was 1-for-8

Dean Wade had a career game with 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists with a +13. But he missed three open 3's in the second half and committed a huge turnover late.

The game turned when Garland went out. He scored 16 points in 19 minutes and was a +16, meaning the Cavs were -19 in the 29 minutes he was out. When they tried to have Windler or Dotson play point guard it was ugly. The Cavs were up by 17 when Garland went out and were outscored by 20 over the last 22 minutes.

Sexton ended up playing 43 minutes. He had another All-Star worthy performance with 32 points and 10 assists. But the six turnovers were huge.

The Cavs could have put them away in the first half but committed 18 turnovers. Their 10-point halftime lead should have been at least 25 the way they were shooting.

I'm so disgusted with JaVale McGee continuing to think he's a point guard, dribbling around, getting stripped and throwing passes away. He had five turnovers in 19 minutes.

The combination of Garland's injury, the lack of anything off the bench, and McConnell's career night combined to sink the Cavs. Getting Love and Nance back will help a lot because it will make the bench deeper. Just a frustrating way to end the first half when they were up by 19 at home.
You’re really good at these summaries. Thanks
 
That was a crunch game to get us back in the conversation for the play in, looks like we are still a year off
 
Turned off the game after the 5th straight turnover in the first, we had 25?? Wtf is that
 
It is EASY to counter what the Pacers are doing

A middle school coach could counter this

Princeton, Motion High or Flex offense. Move bodies with a purpose, Pass the ball, aggressive back cutting. Make them pay for the half court pressure

Yep, JB is trash been saying that all season, I’m tired of these coach’s that are good “player motivators”. That’s what assistant coaches are for. JBs lack of understanding of basic basketball principles is alarming
 

McConnell picked the Cavs apart. Clip of all McConnell steals.
 
Glad I wasn’t the only one who noticed this

Go read my analysis of Okoro before and right after we drafted him. First few pages are before I think we drafted him and the complete one on page 29. I really hope it all improves.

Edit:page 29, not 30.
 
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I thought Okoro was at least stronger but he gets lost on screens so often. Can never push through.
I've been wondering if guys are talking on defense, it's difficult to tell during the broadcast. It always seems like he's completely surprised that a screener is there. He's perfectly engulfed in the screen like 65% of the time, one of my biggest disappointments with him so far.
 
Turned off the game after the 5th straight turnover in the first, we had 25?? Wtf is that
The Pacers came in ranked 7th in steals per defensive play so the Cavs should have been aware that these guys are ball hawks. Still, not counting McGee's desperation 3-pointer with the shot clock expiring, the Cavs' bench was 1-for-10 on 3's. All they needed to win this game was 2-for-10.

The Cavs' difficulty in inbounding the ball has been a source of frustration for me all year. I hope they work on that over the break.
 
this right here is all garland. the one with allen on it, garland made a lousy pass allen wasn't able to catch properly. and this is 5 feet away from the 3 pt line in a half court set.

View attachment 5155

:chuckle:

If you dont like Garland, cool. Just say that. There have been Cavs in the past who I just didn't like. Blinded me from objectively seeing the floor at times. Doing the same to you now.

Here is your "bad pass from Garland" that was another turnover you attributed to him. Nevermind that this was the 3 possession in a row with the Pacers running a 1-2-2 and selling out to trap whoever dribbled the ball after PNR.

 
I can point to alot of issues in this loss. The lack of adjustments by the coaching staff, mistakes by the kids, lack of overall talent on the roster, injuries, etc.

Despite all that the Cavs still win that game last night if they had another healthy PG on the roster. I am going to scream to the rooftops until this summer they need to find some way to sign Spencer Dinwiddie this offseason who has the size and ballhandling chops to play alongside both our starting guards. Please no more band aids. I love Delly but it was ridiculous for them to put all their eggs in that basket. At this point every team in the league needs additional shooting and ballhandling so they might be stuck hoping Delly comes back unless they can scrounge up another vet PG from somewhere.
 
:chuckle:

If you dont like Garland, cool. Just say that. There have been Cavs in the past who I just didn't like. Blinded me from objectively seeing the floor at times. Doing the same to you now.

Here is your "bad pass from Garland" that was another turnover you attributed to him. Nevermind that this was the 3 possession in a row with the Pacers running a 1-2-2 and selling out to trap whoever dribbled the ball after PNR.


Good post. That’s exactly why you don’t turn your back to the defense.
 

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