Game Thread | 2021-2022 Season | Game #63 | Cavs @ Sixers | March 4, 2022 | 7:00 p.m.

[jjvors]

I like seeing our Cavaliers leading the stats boards. Great game, Garland.

ASSISTS​

1.	Darius Garland CLE	19
2.	James Harden PHI	11
2.	Kyle Kuzma WAS	11
4.	Buddy Hield IND	9
5.	Patrick Beverley MIN	8

FANTASY POINTS​

1.	Giannis Antetokounmpo MIL	63.7
2.	Darius Garland CLE	63.3
3.	Tyrese Maxey PHI	51.3
4.	Pascal Siakam TOR	48.8
5.	Shai Gilgeous-Alexander OKC	47.5

 

[jjvors]

We are now the #6 seed.

In view of that comment, here are the current playoff teams in the East:

Eastern Conference​

TEAM	W	L	WIN%	GB	CONF	DIV	HOME	ROAD	OT	LAST 10	STREAK
1 Miami Heat	42	22	.656	--	27-13	11-2	21-7	21-15	1-3	8-2	W 1
2 Philadelphia 76ers	39	23	.629	2	23-14	6-7	18-13	21-10	2-1	8-2	W 5
3 Chicago Bulls	39	24	.619	2.5	24-15	7-3	24-9	15-15	0-1	6-4	L 3
4 Milwaukee Bucks	38	25	.603	3.5	24-18	8-3	22-12	16-13	0-2	6-4	W 2
5 Boston Celtics	38	27	.585	4.5	27-16	8-6	22-11	16-16	4-2	8-2	W 2
6 Cleveland Cavaliers	36	27	.571	5.5	21-16	7-4	19-11	17-16	0-0	4-6	L 3
7 Toronto Raptors	34	29	.540	7.5	23-18	7-5	17-15	17-14	2-1	4-6	L 2
8 Brooklyn Nets	32	32	.500	10	22-17	7-5	13-18	19-14	2-0	3-7	L 3
9 Atlanta Hawks	31	32	.492	10.5	20-20	8-5	19-13	12-19	0-0	6-4	W 2
10 Charlotte Hornets	31	33	.484	11	21-20	5-7	15-15	16-18	0-7	3-7	W 1

 

[kookoo]

At this point in our build, Philly is the better team even when we are at full strength.

You’re nuts if you don’t think so. Now that could change in 2 years with further development. But as of today they are the better more talented team when both teams are at full strength.

Tonight we played them nit at full strength. Clearly we just have done some things right and schemed some things right to lead for a while and to be in a position to win. But obviously, we didn’t close out so there were surely some mistakes made by both players and coaching.

But the outcome is what it should and will be most times when these two teams play in 2022. And especially when they are at full strength and we are not.

This is their big push, these next 2-3 years.

The Cavs big push doesn’t even start until Mobley’s year three. That doesn’t mean we should hope to overachieve or strive to be accountable for mistakes, but we are an ascending team, not an “already ready for deep playoff run” team based primarily on the age and experience of our best three players and serval other key guys.

The thing that really frustrates me isn't specific to this game. But we've been having issues where we go up big and give up leads like they're nothing. Not just to good teams like Philly... We've been really bad defensively and not just in a vacuum of this game. Yeah, you'd have to be nuts to think we could win a title or beat a team like Philly this season. But you'd also have to be crazy to think a team like Detroit should be handing it to us. I feel like we've given a lot of random no named guys career nights this season.

More frustrating is I'm seeing too many players regress and far too much poor decision making. We've been in the 'whatever can go wrong will go wrong' phase of the season for about a month and a half now. It just sucks and it's hard for people to not get down on the squad, even with realistic expectations. Again, I'm fine when we lose to a team like Philly, but Houston, Detroit, New Orleans... even Minny (though they're at a higher level than the other three). I want to see this team improve. The Cinderella story of the season is unfortunately hitting the pumpkin phase. Lol.

 

[DingleDong]

but right now we're looking at a pretty quick play-in exit the way we're regressing.

I wouldn't be so sure about this. Toronto is 2 games behind us and we still have 2 games against them. Brooklyn is 5 games behind which is huge hill to climb on even for them.

 

[BiGZD]

The thing that really frustrates me isn't specific to this game. But we've been having issues where we go up big and give up leads like they're nothing. Not just to good teams like Philly... We've been really bad defensively and not just in a vacuum of this game. Yeah, you'd have to be nuts to think we could win a title or beat a team like Philly this season. But you'd also have to be crazy to think a team like Detroit should be handing it to us. I feel like we've given a lot of random no named guys career nights this season.

More frustrating is I'm seeing too many players regress and far too much poor decision making. We've been in the 'whatever can go wrong will go wrong' phase of the season for about a month and a half now. It just sucks and it's hard for people to not get down on the squad, even with realistic expectations. Again, I'm fine when we lose to a team like Philly, but Houston, Detroit, New Orleans... even Minny (though they're at a higher level than the other three). I want to see this team improve. The Cinderella story of the season is unfortunately hitting the pumpkin phase. Lol.

Thos ever night some no name scrub goes bananas on us and has a career game. Terrible.

 

[2 For The Brew]

I would have to focus into Okoro, but I really, really don't think he was giving up much on defense at all. +/- isn't a full story, but Okoro was +7 when he came in for the last 5 or so minutes and +7 when the game ended. His activity was wrecking havoc, getting Sixers into foul trouble, sneaking into position on cuts (Harden is lazy, gotta make him work and Okoro was trying to do just that. Harden still was slow on d), and he was making timely reads/passes for clean looks. Can't remember when Okoro subbed out in the third quarter. Maybe it was during a Sixers run?

I thought Okoro was playing Harden/Maxey just fine, but again, wasn't focused on just him, so maybe he was slipping up?

Nah... I think JBB didn't realize how long in a row he was out of the game. Stevens did an okay job sliding in, but he really should have been out of the game around the 10 minute mark of the fourth or Okoro in from the start of the fourth. It was a tight game. I think the Cavs would've benefitted with his presence. Maybe even a few more opportunities to catch Harden in mid nap. Alas...

Unfortunately, I think the Cavs lost this game on the margins.

I’m an Okoro stan so I’m not the one to make the case, but it did seem odd to me that Stevens was left in so long.

Guys like Stevens and Wade are out of the rotation for a few games, then get a bunch of minutes. Maybe it’s matchups but I don’t know. JBB went out of his way to praise Okoro, then he sits much of the second half after racking up 22 points. Maybe Okoro slipped up defensively and JBB was pissed, or maybe Okoro was gassed putting in so much on the offensive end. Just wish we had reporters who would ask good questions.

Maybe he did lose track of how long Okoro was out but normally Okoro plays a lot more minutes.

Just strange.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

The thing that really frustrates me isn't specific to this game. But we've been having issues where we go up big and give up leads like they're nothing. Not just to good teams like Philly... We've been really bad defensively and not just in a vacuum of this game. Yeah, you'd have to be nuts to think we could win a title or beat a team like Philly this season. But you'd also have to be crazy to think a team like Detroit should be handing it to us. I feel like we've given a lot of random no named guys career nights this season.

More frustrating is I'm seeing too many players regress and far too much poor decision making. We've been in the 'whatever can go wrong will go wrong' phase of the season for about a month and a half now. It just sucks and it's hard for people to not get down on the squad, even with realistic expectations. Again, I'm fine when we lose to a team like Philly, but Houston, Detroit, New Orleans... even Minny (though they're at a higher level than the other three). I want to see this team improve. The Cinderella story of the season is unfortunately hitting the pumpkin phase. Lol.

Detroit has won 5 of their last 7.

Orlando beat Toronto so we're still two games ahead of the 7th place Raptors.

 

[2 For The Brew]

Thos ever night some no name scrub goes bananas on us and has a career game. Terrible.

Niang isn’t a no name scrub. He’s had several games this year where he’s hit 5 threes. He’s like we all hoped Windler would play. Cedi can also have games like that and he’s not exactly a household name.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

Can't complain tonight - that was a very well-played game by the Cavs, especially on offense. I never expected 71 points in the first half, unfortuately they only got 48 in the second. Philly was a more balanced 63 and 64.

I can't stand watching Harden stumble down the lane, taking three steps, then throwing his body into the nearest defender while throwing his head back and waving his arms. But the refs let him do it all night long.

The Cavs did a pretty solid job on Harden and Embiid but Maxey went nuts with 33 points on only 15 shots. He was the difference IMO. They also had Niang and Milton come off the bench to go a combined 7-for-11 on 3's. The Sixers just have too many guys who can hurt you. They have two superstars and a bunch of very good starters.

I feel like the Cavs were missing one player. If they had Sexton or LeVert they might have won this one. Or Rubio. But Goodwin was a -7 in 5 minutes so JBB played Garland the entire second half and it looked like he was running on fumes at the end.

Okoro had 22 points without hitting a single 3. He just attacked the rim and either got the layup or drew the foul. He needs to keep doing that. Maybe this game will give him the confidence to attack the rim more often.

Garland had an All-Star night with 26 points and 19 assists. He had five turnovers but in 43 minutes that's not bad. Thybulle didn't get any steals after getting six last time these teams played.

 

[2 For The Brew]

Thybulle was awful tonight. No points or assists, a rebound and five fouls. Unfortunately Niang covered for him.

Thought we did a pretty decent job on Joel tonight but he got his points late when they needed to close out the game and he gets to the line.

Maxey is very dangerous because you have to pay attention to Harden and Embiid which gives Maxey room to rip defenses to shreds. He’s the reason the Sixers hung in there when Ben bitched out (I know Embiid is the better player, but Maxey is the one who stepped up). He’s not as good as Garland but it’s only his second year.

Harden is annoying and hard to watch but he’s a very good player although not what he was.

Harris is overrated and overpaid - no wonder Morey tried to dump him. As a third or fourth option he’s decent.

 

[DCTribefan]

He didn't go with the hot hand in Okoro.

If JBB runs Love and Markk out there together he gets hammered for having a shitty defensive rotation. If JBB runs Okoro and Stevens out the he gets hammered for having no shooters on the floor.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't. If Love or Markk would have gotten hot from 3 point range instead of going completely ice cold people would be singing a different tune.

I dunno. I Guess everyone was looking for something different but that was not an encouraging game to me for the direction of the season.

I'd take the 1st game in Philly over this ten times outta ten.


We're suddenly losing by being unable to guard any 3 point shot and that's far worse in today's league than getting hammered by an amazing night from Embiid down low.

One of those things gets you beat by the 76ers only. The other gets you beat by like half the league or more.


And Mobley's regression is pretty depressing. I was overhyped on him early and almost assuredly, at this pace, he's not gonna win ROY now.

You could win the Powerball and still come away discouraged.

 

[KilgoreTrout]

Why have the Cavs lost the ability to play defense? And why has Mobley turned into a total pumpkin? I mean, I’ve heard of the rookie wall, but this is out of hand…

 

[MirORich]

No one on this board was talking like this a month and a half ago and to do so now is just coping.

Everyone here had higher hopes in January for what this season could be than what it's shaping up to be.

Philadelphia is absolutely more talented than we are. By a lot.

I was. And I think you were. And I think others were too.

Any of the chest puffing boastfulness of "this team should be an easy second round advancement" or even some people talking about ECF was way premature and way too much enhanced bias from the good vibes of how well we were playing.

The weird first playoff run that ATL had last year and OKC had in 2012(with 4 recent top 5 picks) are just the absolute outliers for a young team reaching the playoffs for the first time.

The vast majority of teams that make the playoffs for the first time after a rebuild with a young team lose in the first round, regardless of how much later success they have a few years later. Same with coaches. Most of the guys considered the amongst the best NBA coaches currently or recently, lost in their first playoff appearance with a young team, often first few years of losing in the first round, before taking that leap.

We have struck gold with what Garland has developed into in year three. We know for better or worse need to allow Mobley at minimum that same developmental experience arc because our honest shot at not just being a winning team but a playoff series winning team is after Mobley has adjusted to the grind of the NBA season, the length of the season, where his body needs to be, skill and shift development, and most of all experience.

I am not saying anyone should go easy on these players right now or go easy on this coach right now, but barring us bringing in prime nab star type vets via trading away some young guys and picks, this is a super young team that doesn't really even begin to enter there period of prime winning opportunity for another 18-24 months.

if Rubio had stayed healthy and maybe Sexton's injury was lesser so he came back in March, maybe, maybe we could have been destined to be an outlier team and advanced well into this years playoffs. But even that was no guarantee.

but right now we're looking at a pretty quick play-in exit the way we're regressing.

Now that would actually disappoinment me from adjusted January expectations. The regression looks like it could be headed the way you are describing but I still expect the Cavs players and coaches to either outright maintain the 6th seed by the end of the season or, if they do end up in the Play In bracket, advance to a first round series.

 

[MirORich]

You could win the Powerball and still come away discouraged.

@Rich is fairly consistent in his reactions to the team and is a pretty results based guy. Last year he was really down. I disagreed but I understood why he needed to SEE actual improvement before having any positive hope for the long term build.

I disagree with PLENTY he posts and I agree strongly with some other things he posts. Which I assume is pretty consistent with how a lot of us posters perceive each other.

What I don't understand why he takes the flak from people he does vs the people who in the matter of a few games or sometimes even a few quarters can go from the highest reaches of thinking the team is unstoppable or should advance in the playoffs without a doubt to the lowest lows of almost all the players are trash or regressing and the coach sucks completely.

 

[mAo_mAo]

Thybulle was awful tonight. No points or assists, a rebound and five fouls. Unfortunately Niang covered for him.

Thought we did a pretty decent job on Joel tonight but he got his points late when they needed to close out the game and he gets to the line.

Maxey is very dangerous because you have to pay attention to Harden and Embiid which gives Maxey room to rip defenses to shreds. He’s the reason the Sixers hung in there when Ben bitched out (I know Embiid is the better player, but Maxey is the one who stepped up). He’s not as good as Garland but it’s only his second year.

Harden is annoying and hard to watch but he’s a very good player although not what he was.

Harris is overrated and overpaid - no wonder Morey tried to dump him. As a third or fourth option he’s decent.

Tyrese Maxey’s development is having me jealous. The dude was hovering around 30% 3pt shooting in his college and rookie years and he was able to bump it up to 40% this year.

I was expecting Okoro to have a similar bump and work on that jumpshot considering he is not assigned any other responsibilities in the offense. If he still cannot improve it by next season it probably is not going to get any better.