Game Thread | Game #45 | Pelicans @ Cavs | Jan. 16, 2023

[Wham with the Right Hand]

This looked like another epic choke job after Okoro missed an uncontested dunk followed by two turnovers on inbound passes after made baskets. But the Cavs kept their composure and Garland nailed a couple of huge 3's (as did Okoro) to fend off the Pelicans.

The Cavs won the 4th quarter 35-22 with no Donovan Mitchell. Allen and Mobley were outstanding as was Garland. Rubio was a +13 in his 17 minutes and Stevens was a +16 in 20.

I thought Mobley in particular played very well with 19 points on just 10 shots, 8 rebounds, and numerous shots altered. He also forces a lot of potential shooters to give up and pass the ball out after getting into the paint.

Allen had one of his best, if not THE best game of the year with 24 points on only 12 shots, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, and a block while working against Valanciunas. But Garland stole the show with 30 points and 11 assists while playing the entire second half, if I'm not mistaken.

Very nice win against a quality team, but if they had Ingram and Zion they kick our butt.

Love was awful, going 1-for-7 in 16 minutes and no defense as usual. He did have 8 rebounds and 3 assists, but he also committed two turnovers. I thought he might be coming out of his shooting slump after going 2-for-4 from deep against the Wolves, but today he was back to 0-for-4. I think that puts him at 3 for his last 27.

Cedi got five minutes in the first half and never saw the court again. I think JBB is losing confidence in him. Cedi has 12 points in his last five games, averaging just 11 minutes per game.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

Love has 20 points in his last five games, averaging 18 minutes per game. He's 8-for-37 overall and 2-for-19 on 3's. He and Cedi have disappeared the last five games.

 

[jonnyramatz]

Love has 20 points in his last five games, averaging 18 minutes per game. He's 8-for-37 overall and 2-for-19 on 3's. He and Cedi have disappeared the last five games.

It’s only been 5 games? Feels like an eternity.

 

[DCTribefan]

Okoro clearly not the worst player in the league or his draft class anymore

That’s a low bar.

 

[Real Deal]

Love has 20 points in his last five games, averaging 18 minutes per game. He's 8-for-37 overall and 2-for-19 on 3's. He and Cedi have disappeared the last five games.

Love's numbers since his best game of the season is very ugly

 

[jjvors]

Cavs close the 2nd down 3, which was actually pretty good. Again, we held them to 25. Very sloppy game: they committed 7 turnovers and we 10 in the first half.

Only Garland and Mitchell have hit 3s. Allen and Mobley dominating inside. If we made our free throws and half the turnovers, we'd be up.

On to the 3rd quarter!

 

[Mott the Hoople]

Was at the game. My observations FWIW:

• Rubio makes a difference, whether he's scoring or not.
• Excellent games from Mobley and Allen.
• 3 shooting was brutal.
• Too many stupid turnovers.
• If somebody wants Love in a trade - do it.
• The Cavs have a strange ability to play like crap most of the game - then pull it together and win.

 

[Zeus69]

Was at the game. My observations FWIW:

• The Cavs have a strange ability to play like crap most of the game - then pull it together and win.

The above worries me as a consistent pattern. Not sustainable and surefire early playoff exit.

 

[The Human Q-Tip]

That’s a low bar.

It is, but he's also well above that bar. Right now, he's our best backcourt defender and only below average offensively rather than way below average. That is a useful rotation player who would get double-digit minutes on most teams.

One of his major virtues as a role player is that he doesn't get delusions of grandeur and toss up a lot of bad shots trying to become a star. I think that's one reason why his +/- numbers generally have been good.

And, he's young and still developing. JBB turned out to be right in not losing faith in him.

 

[Benway]

That’s a low bar.

I think it's the Lowest bar!

 

[Real Deal]

 

[jjvors]

The 3rd quarter was the worst defensively, we gave up 31 points. McCollum got going.

 

[Kouki]

Mobley and Allen combined for 43/19/5/2/2 on 17/22 (77%) shooting.

Really need to get those blocks up but I guess that's a pretty good statline.

 

[Kouki]

Lmao I didn't catch that. Was LNJ actually annoyed or does he just look like it in that video?

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

Very odd to see Larry Nance Jr with a beard.

We should try to trade for a backup center. JBB won't put Lopez on the floor (I don't blame him) and Love has lost his 3-point shot. So it's Allen, Mobley, and hopefully Wade at the 4 and 5. We need Wade at the 3 so we need another big at center or PF.