RCF Recap: Cavs drop to Rockets again, 131-135

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  • Houston, we have a problem.
  • The Cavs are on their first three-game losing streak of the year and now have lost 5 of their last 8 games. Houston was consistently the better team before the Cavs tried for another frantic come back and fell short… again.
  • We covered many of the issues that plagued them against the Rockets in Friday’s recap, and they’ve been the same ones that have been a concern for the last month. January has been one big defensive dip.
  • The Rockets scored 33+ points in every quarter – that’s simply unsustainable. For one of the league’s worst three-point shooting teams, the Rockets still shot 46% and still scored 130+ points on the night.
  • Getting to the line 45 times also will help taking nine less shots from the field along with making four less three-pointers. After just 9 free throw attempts in the first half, the Rockets went to the line 36 times. Some of that was on purpose but otherwise the Rockets wore out the walk to the free throw line and double up the Cavs attempts.
  • The Cavs welcomed back Evan Mobley after a four-game absence. Unfortunately, it looked like it may take a game or two to get his rhythm back. Mobley was 0-for-2 from three, had just 7 points and was a -9. While the Cavs have missed Mobley’s defense and being able to rely on for easy offense,
  • Caris LeVert, Isaac Okoro and Dean Wade were all out. Against a team that played Tari Eason, Amen Thompson, Jae’Sean Tate and others, those three were missed.
  • Injuries have decided the starting lineup at every turn this year. While there’s been many discussions on who should start between Max Strus, Isaac Okoro and Dean Wade, and all have shared their time in the spotlight, the three haven’t been healthy altogether long enough for things to shake out. With Mobley back, Strus got the start with Wade and Okoro still out.
  • Against the league’s best rebounding team, it put a lot of pressure on the likes of Sam Merrill, Georges Niang and others to pick up the slack defensively and on the boards. Merrill and Niang combined for 6 rebounds in 45 minutes.
  • The biggest question throughout this stretch is how the Cavs will adjust, and how they will handle the challenges that come with losing. While the starting lineup was different from prior game, Kenny Atkinson did make some small adjustments. Darius Garland guarded Dillon Brooks and Donovan Mitchell guarded Fred Vanvleet.
  • With how the game in Houston ended, this was an anticipated rematch especially being a quick turnaround. The Cavs looked like they were up for the challenge out of the gate. Mitchell scored a quick eight straight points.
  • While Mitchell’s offensive touch was on display early so was Mobley’s defensive presence. What they missed without Mobley was the ability to alter shots particularly with Jarrett Allen occupied with Alperen Sengun most of the game.
  • Garland had another strong performance, and it started out by getting inside to start the game. Garland had four field goal attempts from the paint and restricted area and was able to utilize this by finding teammates to the tune of three assists.
  • The problem was the Rockets were getting inside just as much as Garland, if not maybe more. 6 of their first 9 shot attempts and 8 of their 13 makes for the quarter were within the restricted area. The Rockets put a lot of pressure at the rim early.
  • With Mobley and Allen back, you would think the interior defense would be a bit more stringent than it was and you would also think the Cavs would take advantage of their size advantage to win the paint battle. However, Allen and Mobley combined for just four points on three shot attempts.

  • For a team that has struggled defensively of late, letting every Rockets player that checked into the first quarter score and allow 61% shooting is probably not the best way to start the game.
  • One of the biggest issues, and what continued to plague them in this one, is allowing too much dribble penetration. The Rockets guards and wings were frequently getting past their initial defenders and getting into the heart of the Cavs defense.
  • While the Rockets continued to pound the paint in the second quarter, the Cavs were struggling to find their way around the rim. They missed several easy shots and made 7 of their 13 paint plus restricted area shots.
  • In looking for a spark, Kenny gave Craig Porter Jr some run. He played five minutes, recorded a rebound, a block, a missed shot and two turnovers. With Okoro still out and the Rockets guards having success, it seemed like Kenny was looking for that defensive presence that they were missing.
  • Porter was part of the only positive second quarter lineup: Garland, Merril, Porter Jr, Niang and Allen – they were a +7 in two and half minutes of play.
  • The disappointing part of Porter Jr’s run is the instincts and decision making are still not where you want it (as evidenced by the two turnovers in five minutes). There were at least two or three instances where the assist was there, but he was a step too slow to recognize it. Perhaps it’s getting consistent playing time but being a point guard, the vision and instincts is typically something you either have or you don’t.
  • Your leading scorer for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second quarter: Georges Niang. He put in two made threes and nine points total. For an offense struggling to find their way for most of the quarter, Niang’s shot making was a needed part to keep them afloat.
  • During this lineup, the Cavs did rattle off an 11-2 run at the midway point of the second. The Cavs pulled within one point after being down double digits earlier in the quarter.
  • Garland started to get going and started going at it with Dillon Brooks. Brooks had the assignment on Garland and while he tried to be physical and crowd Garland, Garland handled it well. On the border of some overdribbling at times, Garland was able to escape trouble and get past Brooks for several easy buckets. For as much as some teams have been able to successfully pressure the Cavs, Garland was able to navigate the pressure for much of the game. He finished with 8 points, and 3 assists for the quarter.

  • As it would be for most of the night, just as the Cavs got close the Rockets went on a large run. The Rockets would finish the quarter on a 23-10 run to finish the second quarter and lead by as many as 16 points in the quarter.
  • Brooks was hitting stepback jumpers, Vanvleet couldn’t miss three-pointers, Jalen Green started to get his perimeter shot going. All this led to another strong shooting quarter to the tune of 58%.
  • By halftime, the Rockets had a 14-point lead. Garland and Niang were the only Cavaliers in double digits and Mitchell did not score since his initial 8 points. Meanwhile, Allen and Mobley had just 11 points on 8 shots.
  • The bigger issue is Mobley and Allen combined for just 3 rebounds while the Rockets outrebounded the Cavs by 8. This is what the Rockets do to every team, every game but the Cavs don’t have strong rebounders around the bigs and put a lot of pressure on the bigs to control the glass. The Rockets athletic forwards in Amen Thompson and Tari Eason had 8 rebounds between the two of them, doubling up the Cavs bigs.
  • To adjust for that in the second half, Kenny gave Tristan Thompson some minutes. While Thompson shouldn’t be counted upon for consistent contributions at this point, even his physical presence and activity was a good change of pace. He was putting a body on Sengun and being physical and ended up being a +3 in his five-minute stretch.
  • Thompson didn’t record any stats except for a turnover but even the activity, energy and shift in how he played changed the game in a positive way. This is an example of the type of needed addition behind Allen and Mobley. It’s not to say they can’t do it, it’s just some games when there’s foul trouble, injury, or a physical big, having another big man that can provide a change of pace is very much needed.
  • The third quarter was sort of like an inverse of the first half – they were 6-for-6 inside the restricted area but just 5-for-13 on shots outside the paint.
  • Garland started to get going in the third and the Cavs suddenly found some offensive rhythm. Garland’s playmaking was a key reason the Cavs were able to go on a 22-9 run over a five-minute stretch.

  • Not to be outdone, Mitchell matched Garland’s 11 third quarter points with 11 points of his own. He and Garland were able to draw the Cavs within five points.
  • It seemed like the Cavs had the momentum but had also expended a lot of energy to climb back into the game. Upon Steven Adams checking in towards the end of the third quarter, Kenny tried to keep that momentum by doing a hack-a-Adams. Adams was shooting 36% from the free-throw line on the season. Unfortunately, Adams proceeded to hit 3-for-4 from the line, and the stop-and-start nature of the free-throw shots stunted the Cavs flow.
  • Over the last two minutes of the quarter, the Rockets had 9 FTA total. The third quarter pace tied the 1st quarter pace of 96 for the slowest of the game. The Cavs were better in transition than the Rockets on the night (87th percentile for the Cavs versus 72nd percentile for the Rockets). So, allowing the game to stop and slow down benefited the Rockets more than it did the Cavs.
  • As happened in the second quarter, just when the Cavs thought they were back in the game the Rockets went on a run to end the quarter. The Rockets went on a backbreaking 15-4 run in just under three minutes to finish the third quarter with a 17-point lead and put up 101 points over three quarters.
  • The Rockets shot worse each quarter but going from 61% to 47% is still nothing to write home about. For a team with championship aspirations, the defense will have to improve and improve at a higher level than allowing 50% shooting in three of the four quarters.
  • With the 17-point lead to start the fourth, Kenny decided to go with a run with this starters to see if this was a game worth playing until the end. The lineup was a +8 in a five-minute shift and gave the Cavs some hope that maybe, just maybe, they could make this a game.
  • Give the Cavs some credit: Despite taking on water for much of the game, they never stopped fighting. They slowly chipped away at the Rockets lead and the Cavs dynamic duo of Mitchell and Garland put the offensive load on their shoulders. They ended up combining for 30 points and 6 assists in the quarter. Whenever the Cavs needed a basket or play, Garland came through.
  • As the game got tight late, you could tell Mitchell really wanted this one. He was playing with a lot of emotion late in the game and exerting a lot of energy particularly on the defensive end. Mitchell had a steal and a block in the fourth and was competing on the perimeter versus Vanvleet. While Vanvleet had 8 points, he did so on three shot attempts and had a turnover.
  • The Cavs scrapped all the way back to even at 124. Niang had three big three-pointers on their way back and took the floor for most of the fourth due to his hot hand. Kenny was willing to sacrifice the defense of Mobley and Allen for the spacing and hot hand of Niang. This worked offensively but caused them to scramble a lot on defense having to matchup with the Rockets aggressive frontline.


  • Unfortunately, when it came to late game execution, the Cavs would be stuck on 124 and then 126 for one too many possessions. The Cavs were 0-for-3 with a turnover under two minutes (outside of the meaningless baskets with seconds left). Mitchell and Garland’s free throws were the only Cavs points over this stretch.
  • The Cavs defensive focus was on Sengun late. With Mobley and Allen taking on the individual matchup, the Cavs were overly aggressive in their help and doubling on Sengun. Sengun did have a strong offensive night, but this attention also led to weakside offensive rebounds to which Amen Thompson took advantage late for a backbreaking putback.
  • The comeback was just a little bit too late. While they did have a chance if they executed, they had exerted so much energy to climb back into the game and answer the Rockets runs, it looked like they ran out of gas. The Rockets defensive attention to the Cavs perimeter players and ability to get easy points late, also were notable.
  • If this would be a 7-game series, you could tell these teams wouldn’t like each other after the series. I’m not sure they’re not already to that point after these two recent games. Garland and Brooks were going at it; Allen and Sengun were battling; Niang was yapping at the Rockets bench; and we know the history of Brooks and Mitchell.
  • People will point to the Rockets physicality and athleticism as to why they won this game. But truthfully, dribble penetration and not controlling the glass is what lost the game for the Cavs. These are both things they have been able to handle for much of the reason but most recently it has plagued them no matter the opponent.
  • Having athletic players like Wade, LeVert and Okoro all out hurt but they have more than enough talent and were playing at home.
  • There was some question why Jaylon Tyson didn’t get any playing time given the wing injuries and given his skillset would bring what they lacked most on the wing.
  • The Cavs played good enough offense and played the Rockets even in most categories all night. But the Rockets controlled the game for most of the game and left little doubt they were the better team for the night.
  • Could there be positives in this skid? If they set their starting lineup, sure. If they make defensive adjustments, sure. If they get this out rather than in June, sure. But also, if this makes it likelier, they make a move at the trade deadline, sure.
  • Now, Koby is a guy who refused to give into any of the noise over the offseason with Allen and Garland and it’s paid off. He even doubled down by signing Allen to an extension. So, it’s very unlikely a three or eight game stretch is going to assuage him to make a significant move.
  • But this stretch also shows all is not well and some improvements would be welcome. Some fans may be disappointed they may not be a large move but it’s more so a symptom of the market (the wings are bad) and the Cavs assets (not bad just difficult to find balance trade matches). So unless Cam Johnson falls in their laps, it’s not a stretch to say the wings the Cavs have now are better than mostly anything else on the market.
  • If there’s a move to be made the luxury tax is the easy target but so is the big spot. The big man market looks to have much more supply and a lower price point. If they make a move, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see it here considering those two items.
  • The Cavs also have Wade, LeVert, Strus and Okoro to give them minutes when needed. Up front, the Cavs have Wade (if he’s not playing wing), Niang and Thompson. That’s simply not enough. Especially when the Cavs rely so heavily on Allen and Mobley, and Niang may not be able to play in some playoff matchups.
  • The trade deadline is about two and half weeks away and the team is showing they can be good, but they also need some help. We’ll see how Koby handles what this team is saying.
  • It won’t get any easier as JB Bickerstaff comes to town Monday before they head to Miami. Detroit and Miami are at different points but both figures to share their own difficulties.
  • Up next: Monday at home at 7:00 PM(EST) versus Detroit.
 

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