Game Thread | Game #39 | Suns @ Cavs | Jan. 4, 2023

[Dr No]

Things are tight in the East. We're a game and a half out of first. Philly's one game behind us.

Eastern Conference​

TEAM	W	L	WIN%	GB	CONF	DIV	HOME	ROAD	OT	LAST10	STREAK
1 Boston Celtics	26	12	.684	--	15-8	4-0	15-5	11-7	1-3	5-5	L 2
2 Brooklyn Nets	25	13	.658	1	19-7	5-2	13-5	12-8	0-1	9-1	L 1
3 Milwaukee Bucks	24	13	.649	1.5	12-9	4-3	16-4	8-9	1-1	4-6	W 1
4 Cleveland Cavaliers	25	14	.641	1.5	17-8	7-3	18-4	7-10	6-0	7-3	W 3
5 Philadelphia 76ers	23	14	.622	2.5	15-9	4-3	16-5	7-9	3-1	8-2	W 3
6 New York Knicks	21	18	.538	5.5	12-9	1-4	10-10	11-8	2-3	5-5	W 3
7 Indiana Pacers	21	18	.538	5.5	15-9	2-2	13-7	8-11	0-1	6-4	L 1
8 Miami Heat	20	18	.526	6	8-11	5-1	11-8	9-10	2-1	7-3	W 2
9 Atlanta Hawks	17	20	.459	8.5	13-14	4-3	11-8	6-12	3-1	3-7	L 4
10 Chicago Bulls	17	21	.447	9	15-11	4-3	10-9	7-12	1-4	6-4	W 1
11 Washington Wizards	17	22	.436	9.5	10-14	4-3	10-7	7-15	1-1	6-4	L 1
12 Toronto Raptors	16	21	.432	9.5	11-14	2-7	11-8	5-13	0-2	3-7	L 1
13 Orlando Magic	14	24	.368	12	7-18	2-5	10-11	4-13	1-1	6-4	W 1
14 Charlotte Hornets	10	29	.256	16.5	4-18	3-6	5-14	5-15	1-4	3-7	L 3
15 Detroit Pistons	10	30	.250	17	4-18	0-6	5-13	5-17	2-1	2-8	L 1

The top 5 in the East are so tough and I expect the current top 5 to be there in the end. I would love to see us find a way into the #3 seed and not have to play the 4/5 matchup. Philly, Bucks, Nets, Celtics would all be tough outs in a series.

 

[jjvors]

The top 5 in the East are so tough and I expect the current top 5 to be there in the end. I would love to see us find a way into the #3 seed and not have to play the 4/5 matchup. Philly, Bucks, Nets, Celtics would all be tough outs in a series.

I'll be happiest with 1st seed. Then second. Then 3rd. As you said, 4th seed would play a 5th seed almost as tough.

It's hard to say how it will settle out. I guessed the Nets would be in the play in tourney, but they got their act together and are playing to their potential. Their defense and role players are better than I realized. They'll be fighting for 1st seed all year, as will the Celtics, Bucks, and Cavs.

I don't have much respect for Philly. Embiid is great, and so is Harden, but I don't think their defense is up to snuff. I wouldn't mind playing in the 4 vs 5 series, if we have the 4th seed. I feel we can beat them.

We still have a lot of upside potential. We're the #1 defensive team and Wade isn't back yet. Add Wade and Rubio and I expect our offense to pick up.

Injuries will happen. It depends on who is healthy come playoff time.

 

[2 For The Brew]

The top 5 in the East are so tough and I expect the current top 5 to be there in the end. I would love to see us find a way into the #3 seed and not have to play the 4/5 matchup. Philly, Bucks, Nets, Celtics would all be tough outs in a series.

I want to see the Nets and Sixers in the playoffs. I'll see at least one game because the wife will want to abuse the shit out of Simmons. He doesn't close out games for the Nets because he would have to shoot FTs.

 

[bob2the2nd]

can someone answer for sure if JBBs "challenge" actually counted as a challenge? The ref clearly said "inadvertent whistle" and left it as that. Generally there is a whole spiel about the challenge being good/bad, and the team used theirs up etc etc. However in this case he didnt say any of that. So it seemed like JBB still had the challenge available.

 

[CLEtoNYC]

can someone answer for sure if JBBs "challenge" actually counted as a challenge? The ref clearly said "inadvertent whistle" and left it as that. Generally there is a whole spiel about the challenge being good/bad, and the team used theirs up etc etc. However in this case he didnt say any of that. So it seemed like JBB still had the challenge available.

I'm pretty sure we got jobbed out of that challenge and the only reason the language "inadvertent" was used because it was so fucking embarrassing for the officials vs. it being any official ruling. It was never clarified on-air though.

 

[kevincleveland]

I was putting my daughter to bed and just checking the score, I glanced down and saw scores in the 70's/80's and thinking "Wow this game is taking a while, luckily I will be able to watch the whole fourth quarter!"

lol no there was 4 minutes left in the 4th, not the 3rd

Fratello on the broadcast, so both teams were inspired to play a clankfest in his honor from his time as Cavs coach when 90 points would be considered an offfensive outburst.

 

[Ohioplayer00]

I believe the “challenge” rule should be changed! If your challenge is successful you should be able to keep it and use it again.

 

[Cavatt]

I believe the “challenge” rule should be changed! If your challenge is successful you should be able to keep it and use it again.

They said they tried it in the Gleague and it slowed things down too much because it added several min to the game.

What I want to know, is what the hell happened during that jump ball where the Cavs won, but then they blew the whistle and gave it to the other team out of bounds with no explanation. What was that? Was there a foul or something?

 

[bob2the2nd]

I'm pretty sure we got jobbed out of that challenge and the only reason the language "inadvertent" was used because it was so fucking embarrassing for the officials vs. it being any official ruling. It was never clarified on-air though.

So totally agree with you that I assume it counted as a challenge. But an inadvertent whistle is absolutely a thing in the NBA. They didnt say "the challenge overturned the call" they said "there was an inadvertent whistle" which is the only reason i question it

 

[letgocavs]

I don’t watch a lot of nuggets ball, but don’t know how jokic won two mvps

 

[RonG]

He might be best player in the world... I can't see how you can't see how he won 2. He is well on his way to a 3rd.

 

[Alec]

I don’t watch a lot of nuggets ball, but don’t know how jokic won two mvps

Warm body, cold mind. Typical Slavic killer.

 

[letgocavs]

Warm body, cold mind. Typical Slavic killer.

Here's my issue with him winning any MVPs. How? It should be the most dominant player in the league. He hasn't even been to the finals. Since lebron got old Giannis should be the MVP every year. I don't care about stats. Don't compare hom to others , especially from back in the day. It's a different game. He's not winning a ring this year either, nor is he a good defender.

 

[Alec]

The numbers bear it out. He’s starting to make a case for all time regular season offensive GOAT. According to analytics.

 

[Ohioplayer00]

They said they tried it in the Gleague and it slowed things down too much because it added several min to the game.

What I want to know, is what the hell happened during that jump ball where the Cavs won, but then they blew the whistle and gave it to the other team out of bounds with no explanation. What was that? Was there a foul or something?

It takes too long because of the officials and the people in New Jersey! Watching these challenges on TV I think the majority of time we see it clear as day. And then after watching the replay the refs stand there huddled up talking for another five mins!