- Last year ended with a disappointment and unfortunately the year begins with a disappointment. It’s one game, without key players, but it’s less the results that left a bad taste and more so how the Cavs got here.
- The Knicks were without Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson. Karl Anthony-Towns was questionable – and then wasn’t supposed to play… and then ended up playing. The Cavs were without Darius Garland and Max Strus, and they rested De’Andre Hunter’s banged up knee.
- Mike Brown entered as an old face in a new place. His team look like they played a lot more connected than an old face in an old place with Kenny Atkinson’s bunch. The Cavs ORTG was below 104 in three of the four quarters. Their DRTG was above 118 in three of the four quarters.
- The Knicks had the Cavs scrambling for large parts of the game defensively, and not like the team that finished 8th in defensive points per possession last year. The Knicks were able to more consistently get to their spots and get the Cavs in help defense. The Cavs look much less like connected tissue and more so like frenetic helpers, scrambling to the next guy without recourse of the impact it has on the next rotation.
- Alas, this put the Cavs in some bad defensive rebounding positions. The Knicks had 9 offensive rebounds with 6 of those coming in the first half. Part of that is where defensive positioning puts a player, but the other part is effort – both of which was lacking. The attention to detail was not there consistently, and the Knicks were more attentive to crashing the boards than the Cavs were in keeping them off the boards.
- It very much looked like a team that was 24th in opponent OREB% -- meaning the Cavs were near the bottom of the league in allowing offensive rebounds last year. Oklahoma City was within the same range as the Cavs albeit they were a much better defensive team and the best at forcing turnovers which helped them mitigate offensive rebound impacts better.
- But… rebounding discourse in New York. We had hoped we moved past this already…
- Without Strus, Hunter and Garland on the floor, the lack of shot creators was readily apparent. If it wasn’t Mitchell or Mobley creating, the Cavs offense lacked coherence. While the team largely shot well outside of those two (20-43), it came at sometimes an extreme effort to generate a look. There weren’t a lot of easy baskets and everything the Cavs got they had to work for.
- This is where pushing the pace more feels like an easy win. Get guys out in transition more for easier looks without a set defense. This takes away some of the shot creation issues and allows players to read and react in number situations with more spacing which is easier basketball. The Cavs pace of 103.5 would have put them at the very top of the league last year as would have their 22 fast break points but even still it felt like there was some food left on the table.
- Talk about easy opportunities: The Knicks doubled the Cavs FTA 36 to 18 although that evened out some in the second half with the Knicks sporting just a +4 FTA advantage. That’s what happens when you play a Jalen Brunson led team but it’s also what happens when you don’t put pressure on the rim. The Knicks were +10 in rim + restricted area shot attempts and were the more aggressive team inside the arc.
- The first half brought back memories from last year: What happens when the outside shot isn’t falling? How will they generate points? It felt like the Cavs get a bit too content to try and shoot their way out of slumps instead of trying to create easy baskets to help with their offensive flow. That was only magnified without Garland in the lineup to help break up those stretches.
- Surprisingly without Garland and Strus, and Lonzo Ball playing his first game as a Cavalier, the Cavs were a +6 without Donovan Mitchell on the floor in 12 minutes. The Cavs found their way without their superstar guard and made it work. Without Evan Mobley in 12 minutes off the floor, they were a -8. The Cavs lost by 8.
- Even with some of the players the Knicks were missing, the game will stir bad memories from Knicks series of past: The Knicks were a +16 on the boards, +5 on the offensive glass and New York’s backup center (who started for Robinson) had one more rebound than Jarrett Allen in 11 less minutes. For questions that folks wanted answered, the question mark was likely just emphasized even more.
- Allen’s lowest of lows will be remembered more than his highest of highs because his lows are hard to erase from your mind and have similar commonalities amongst them. For a guy who can be as effective for stretches as Allen can be, the frustrating lies on the other end with how ineffective for stretches as Allen can also be – and all of it for things well within reach and his capabilities. Allen’s shortcomings are things that he can’t do, it’s with things he can do and chooses not to do when the Cavs need it consistently.
- There is where Thomas Bryant minutes could have been useful. On nights where Allen simply doesn’t have it, don’t keep forcing him out there and expect the same results. Go to other players who will give you other looks and perhaps the spark you’re looking for. That’s what depth is for especially behind Allen.
- Garland coming back to the lineup will probably excite, and impact, Allen more than any other player. Role players are role players because they often rely on others and struggle to have consistency to their games that limits their ceiling. But for Allen, who is called part the “core four” his impact can’t be reliant on others. He must find a way to have his own orbit instead of being part of someone else’s orbit.
- On the other side of the twin towers, we were promised a more aggressive Mobley on offense and got it. He started the game with an iso bucket on Towns and finished the first quarter with 8 FGA. There is a border of more offensive freedom and offensive recklessness that he’ll have to learn to reign in and not let it cloud what’s good shot and what’s a bad shot, but Mobley certainly looked like more of an offensive fulcrum that has been needed.
- He finished with 8 3PA which he did just twice last year, and 18 FGA that he did just 6 times last year. Mobley was not bashful about hoisting from long range and looked comfortable in doing so. His expanding game, especially on the perimeter, will only stand to benefit the Cavs as they look for more tentpoles offensively in the playoffs. But he also needs to be mindful of his touch --- his jumping and reach are also hard to beat inside. The perimeter game should be a complement to what he does inside, not the other way around.
- The Cavs dRTG with Mobley on the floor: 107.9. The Cavs dRTG with Mobley off the floor: 139.1. Think he has a large defensive impact?
- In the place of Hunter came Jaylon Tyson – a guy the Cavs, and Kenny Atkinson, have talked up a bunch this year. A good start to game one would have went a long way but instead we’ll have to wait a little bit to see what the team saw during the offseason and preseason.
- Tyson started strong: A spot-up three and a hustle rebound. Two things that are exactly what you want from a role player. Compete. Play hard. And take advantage if your opportunities (especially spot-up perimeter shots). But that’s really where it ended. He finished the game with just 5 points, 2 rebounds, 2 turnovers and 4 fouls in 20 minutes. His handle was a bit wobbly and his shot still not what may have been seen in college and non-regular season minutes.
- Tyson is likely competing with Dean Wade to be the first perimeter stopper off the bench when everyone is healthy and now that Isaac Okoro is gone. Wade made an open-and-shut case he should be the guy with his game against the Knicks. He went 3-for-3 on 3Pas, and launched it without hesitation – something the Cavs have urged him to do, and Mitchell called him one of the best shooters in this league.
- Wade’s perimeter versatility showed – he held Brunson to 0-5 shooting, 1 assist and 3 points (3-4 FT) in his time guarding him. Wade’s physical attributes (strong core, lateral agility, and length) almost bother Brunson as much as his patience does. Brunson baits players into reacting and goes off their movements. With Wade, his patience his best asset to which Brunson’s moves and countermoves have a lot less effect.
- The DPOY learned this in real time – look at these two possessions in the 4Q. The first one Mobley does a quick reach/show of hands to which Brunson goes off his movement and gets Mobley off balance. The second one Mobley stays patient and forces a Brunson pass out.
- One of the surprises of the night was Tyrese Proctor getting minutes and then earning all of Craig Porter Jr’s second half minutes. Porter Jr got the first nod off the bench and did little in his first half minutes make a mark. While Proctor’s stat line wasn’t that much different than Porter’s, the way in which he played the game – calm, under control, making the right read, and providing a spacing threat, did more to earn Kenny’s second half trust than Porter did.
- Someone said Porter Jr plays like AI talks and I can’t get that image out of my head. For as much novelty as there is with Porter Jr being a point guard who can get to the basket quite well and produces eye-popping defensive plays, there’s a lack of depth behind his offensive play that always leaves you wanting more. His point guard skills are still something that we’ve been asking for when the reality might be he is just a scoring guard in a point guard’s body.
- Sam Merrill was just solid. He put in 4 of his 8 3PA attempts, competed, was the Cavs 3rd leading scorer. It’s ironic the Cavs best shooter also led the team in screen assist points (5) but goes to show he’s able and willing to do whatever the Cavs ask of him.
- Here’s to Ball shooting better but he had quite the Ball stat line: 3 pts (1-7 FG), 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 turnovers. Some good, some bad but his point guard presence will be needed especially with Garland and Strus out of the lineup. His minutes restriction will likely leave Kenny wanting more because of the facilitation that he provides on offense, but the Cavs will need to balance the early season urges with the season long health and longevity.
- Quick aside: Allen got 3 points and 3 FGA in his time 9 minutes spent with Ball on the floor together. Allen had just 1 point and 1 FGA in his 19 minutes with Ball off the floor. Perhaps a tethering for Kenny to consider until Garland is back in the lineup to better support Allen’s needs.
- Larry Nance Jr is going to be really good for this team and all he is going to do is put productive, consistent minutes on the floor without many people noticing. Nance hit both of his three-point attempts, something Kenny called out when they acquired him, was 2nd on the team in rebounds in only 17 minutes, and the team’s ORTG net was +1.6 better with him offensively and 9.3 points better defensively with him on the court versus off the court.
- Final note The 1H to 3Q felt like Mitchell tested the Cavs and the Cavs failed his test. Mitchell willingly took a back seat to Mobley’s aggressive offensive start, and felt like he wanted to see how Mobley would carry the load but also how the team would play without Mitchell having to step in. This is something we’d often see LeBron do – he knew he could turn it on at any point but didn’t want that to be the reason they won. He knew they needed to develop their own means and methods and relying on him to always “rescue them” would not be a sustainable way in the end.
- Mitchell had 7 FGA in the 1H, which was second on the team, but it was very much by nature of having other main offensive pieces out rather than him being intimately involved. Compared that to the 3Q where he had 14 FGA.
- The 3Q felt like Mitchell going into his bag to rescue the team – not something he wanted to do but felt like he had to do in order to bring the game back close. He did his job after being down 15 at half, the Cavs pulled even heading into the 4Q.
- It’s one of those cases where the result feels good but how the Cavs got there doesn’t. Relying on superstar efforts to lift them out of their hole is fine and dandy but the Cavs need to be better as a team if they want to win in meaningful ways. The Knicks had five players with 15+ points – the Cavs had three players with 15+ points.
- When Mitchell has to carry the load it narrows the focus of the opposing defense and gets into iso/hero ball that is never pretty offensively. Again it can work but at what cost?
Game Notes
Q1
- First touch of season – Donovan Mitchell pick-and-roll to open an Evan Mobley wing isolation on Karl Anthony-Towns. The bucket looked good.
- To start: Jaylon Tyson spot-up 3 and hustle rebound – check. That’s what role players do.
- Cavs went on 8-0 run followed by Knicks 11-0 run
- For Mobley: There’s a thin line between being aggressive and forcing it.
- 1-for-5 FG early with 1 TO but finished 3-8 with 2 TOs
- Question for him: Will mid-range shot keep him off the front of the rim?
- Too many offensive rebounds leading to spot-up 3s – Knicks converted two early 3PT attempts as a result.
- Knicks with 3 OREB and 6 second chance points.
- Where’s the rim pressure? Who is going to create?
- 0 FTAs and just 8 of 23 shots in paint or restricted area.
- Thought Knicks did better job of forcing Cavs off spots, and further away from hoop on offense. Sets were disrupted or starting further out then needed.
- Cavs defensive help has them in scramble mode too much and out of position.
- 0 FTA… can’t happen!
- This often-happened last year when perimeter shots didn’t fall and they got outside complacent.
- Lonzo with quite the stat line to start: 0-4 FGA, 4 REB, 3 AST
- NYK: 15-7 in REBs
Q2
- Kenny with a timeout one possession into the quarter – not happy with the defensive effort.
- Cavs are not finding their man off help defense on the glass – a lot of looking and not being physical or attentive.
- Rebounding and help defense are team situations and the team looks disjointed right now.
- Larry… shooting 3s!
- Kenny liked his uptick in 3P volume and Nance is continuing it. The more he can shoot 3s the more he will be able to play with either big.
- Dean Wade confidently stepping into 3PA without hesitation.
- Kenny rode Larry Nance Jr in 2Q over Allen – was +3.
- More player movement and pace will help ease of lack of on-ball creation. Just not a lot of offensive flow, a bit clunky.
- Cavs went on 16-2 run to cut it to 1 then allowed 21-7 run to end quarter.
3Q
- Mitchell came out AGGRESSIVE – 5 straight FGA
- Feels like Cavs failed his test in the 1H, and he came out to rescue them to begin the the 2H.
- Merrill with a productive shift – 8 points, 2 reb and 2 3PM.
- Cavs go on 10-0 run midway through quarter to cut it to 1.
- Dean Wade doing work on Brunson. Always guards Brunson so well. Brunson was 1-5 in the 3Q.
- Proct3r!
- Got all of CPJ’s minutes, and put in a 3PM.
- Really playing with a level of maturity about him for a rookie in his first game especially at Madison Square Garden.
- Cavs eventually take the lead and go into the 4Q with a tie ballgame.
- Mitchell accounted for 27 of 37 3Q points including 21 points of his own (on 8-14 shooting).
- 3Qs were often a struggle last year for Cavs but this was their best quarter -- +15 plus-minus and +58.4 net rating.
- FG%: CLE at 60% to NYK at 29%.
- CLE: +3 in FTA after -14 in 1H.
4Q
- After taking quick lead, Knicks went on 8-0 run to force a TO.
- They continue their run post TO to make it a 14-0 run in total.
- Mobley responded with two quick buckets (his only of the 4Q).
- Offense is a struggle if it’s not Mitchell or Mobley creation.
- The Mobley pull-up three in transition off grab and go – yes.
- More grab and go, please.
- This showcases his increased comfortability taking and making perimeter shots, and his aggressiveness on the offensive end.
- Cavs once again: What are they doing non-Mitchell offense? Where are easy shots?
- 5 points in 4 minutes down the stretch really put the game away and put the Cavs in scramble mode late.
- Although: Mitchell 0-for-4 in 4Q.
- Too little too late for Cavs: They cut it to 5 with 2 minutes left but back-breaking OG kickout 3P put a nail in Cavs coffin.
- 10 different lineup combinations in the 4Q with Kenny trying to find something that worked.