The Cavs' defense doesn't show up for the second game in a row. First they allow the Clippers, averaging 101 points, to score 119 and now they let the Kings get 10 points over their average. The Cavs are getting beat off the dribble and going around screens, leaving their bigs trying to guard the ball and also the lob simultaneously.
The Cavs allowed the Kings to score 69 points in the first half to put themselves in a hole. This is the third time they've done that. They allowed 75 first half points to Boston but came back to win. Obviously the Kings have some offensive talent but the Cavs let them shoot 52.6% overall and 43.6% on 3's. That's not going to cut it from the NBA's 2nd ranked defense.
"We didn't come out and play the game purposefully." - JBB
Mitchell had a magnificent game with 38 points. In what could be a big development, Levert got his mojo back with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists. Hopefully he's got his confidence back and we'll continue to see games like this.
Garland had one of the worst games of his career, going 1-for-9 from the field with 4 turnovers. If he just has an average or even below average game - we win. I'm wondering if he's not fully recovered from missing a couple of weeks.
For the second game in a row he missed a big free throw late. He also committed three straight turnovers to start the 4th quarter.
The Kings' bench came through with 43 points. Monk and Lyles were awesome, combining for 30 points and 7-for-12 on 3's. Between them they average 19. Their bench dominated the Cavs' bench 43-19.
The Kings scored 18 points off turnovers to only 6 for the Cavs. That was the difference, along with Garland scoring only 6 points in 34 minutes.
The Cavs were outscored 10-3 over the last 2.5 minutes after the score was tied 117-117. The Kings executed, the Cavs didn't. They committed two turnovers, one an illegal screen by Mobley.
Dallas was beaten by Orlando last night. The Magic came in 2-9. There are upsets every night in the NBA. Chalk this one up to a really bad night by Garland, a bad night by the defense, and some great shooting by the Kings' bench, which outscored the Cavs' bench by 24 points in a 7-point win.