- If Cavs wanted to #LETEMKNOW, they certainly did tonight. On the second night of a back-to-back, the Cavs started out in neutral. However, when the second half hit, along with Jarrett Allen hitting the floor after a skirmish with Ben Simmons, the Cavs put it into gear. The result? A 23-point Cavalier victory.
- Donovan was DonovHIM early. He showed out with 10 points in the first four minutes including an assist. Mitchell was looking for his shot early, and found it. Brooklyn took an early timeout to stem the tide.
- The only person hotter than Mitchell in the first quarter might have been Dean Wade. He connected on three threes in 100 seconds of game time, and apparently dripped too hard because JB Bickerstaff subbed him out shortly thereafter.
- Needless to say, the Cavs closed out the quarter going 6-11 from three which accounted for half of their shot makes and shot attempts.
- With Darius Garland slowly getting his minutes cap raised, JB has been more comfortable in getting him first quarter minutes. Why is that important? It means no LeVert only minutes to end quarters. After Mitchell checked out of his first shift, Garland checked back in to join LeVert and push the lead from 8 to 11 in the quarter’s final minutes. Small things like this matter, especially come playoff time.
- The Cavs, well Garland, started out the second quarter a bit sloppy. Garland had two quick turnovers which led to a quick Nets 6-0 run. The Nets were within 5 until the Cavs, and Garland, quickly responded with 10-2 run.
- The one thing Garland needs to work on is where and how his turnovers happen. Too often his turnovers happen under the basket and/or near the baseline where he gets into too deep, creating a difficult passing angle. Between him and the man he’s trying to find, it often leads to a live ball turnover going the other way with numbers. Not all turnovers are created equal and his turnovers can lead to some tough situations flipping the floor.
- Cavs were up a few possessions but both teams were jockeying for position, so that’s why some possessions matter more than others. Two in particular mattered: An easy blown layup by the Nets converted to a transition three by the Cavs, and then a hustle play defensively for a stop which led to a Max Strus-Jarrett Allen alley oop. These plays created a 9-point swing in the quarter, and again, are small things that matter.
- After a hot first quarter, Mitchell cooled off a bit in the second. He was 1-3 FG with 1 TO and was a -3.
- Speaking of which, the Cavs were a bit sloppy at times on the night. They had 5 second quarter turnovers which is how you get the stripped down Nets winning the quarter by 3.
- The other way that happens is allowing the Nets to have 8 offensive rebounds, and 15 second chance points at half.
- If Mitchell started out the game hot, Allen started out the third quarter frisky. After an inconspicuous Brooklyn shot attempt, Ben Simmons and Allen got tangled competing for rebounding position. Next thing you know, Allen is on the floor and quickly rushing Simmons after Allen felt disrespected by Simmons.
- Allen retaliated himself, and the Cavs retaliated after. Following the incident review, the Cavs responded with an immediate 9-0 run. Not impressed? They quickly rolled that into a 21-0 run to start the third quarter. The Nets didn’t score until 6:39 in the quarter.
- Every Cavs starter scored during the 21-point Cavalanche, and brought back memories of old. It was a sight to see.
- The Nets only scored 18 third quarter points after putting up 30 in the second quarter. However, they did go on a 10-4 run to end the quarter which included six Cavalier turnovers in the last five minutes. Just like it hurt them in the second quarter, it came back to bite them late in the third.
- However, the Cavs did get the message at half time to limit the Nets on the boards. They out rebounded the Nets 16-5 in the third and did not give up any offensive rebounds in the quarter.
- Georges Niang felt like getting in on the action in the fourth quarter with eight points in a two-minute span. This was the first time Niang hit multiple three-pointers in his last seven games; the last time he hit more than two was 11 games ago.
- By the time Niang went off, the Cavs were up 23 points midway through the fourth quarter. From there, it was cruise control the rest of the way. So much so, even CRAIG! checked in with a few minutes left in the game.
- Garland had one of his better, cleaner games since he’s been back. He finished with 14 points (6-10 FG, 0-3 3P), 7 assists, 2 turnovers and a +23. His 7 assists created a game high 19 points.
- After the Nets and Cavs were at a rebounding stalemate in the first half, with the Nets grabbing 8 offensive rebounds, the Cavs outrebounded the Nets in the second half 28-14 and limited the Nets offensive rebounds to 4.
- Likewise, after 15 first half second chance points for the Nets, they had 5 in the second half.
- While the Cavs shot over 50% from the field, they held the Nets to under 40% from the field.
- The Cavs finished with a season high 13 blocked shots. Allen and Okoro both had 3; Mitchell, Wade and Mobley each had 2.
- The Cavs once again were a terror in transition. They had 26 fast break points, and are 6th in the league averaging almost 16 fast break points on the season. For a team whose pace may not be up there, the Cavs have been extra aggressive push the ball off makes and misses this year.
- Tower City each had a double-double (Mobley 14 & 12; Allen 14 & 10)
- The Cavs starting 5 was a +23 in 10 minutes on the night.
- With this win, the Cavs are now on their second straight eight game winning streak.
- Up next: Travel to Toronto to take on the Raptors at 7:30PM (ET) on Saturday.
BOX SCORE
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CAVALIERS at NETS | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | February 8, 2024
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