The Cavs hit the right note at the right time, and it was just what the doctor ordered to get the Cavs off their longest losing streak of the year.
It was far from the perfect game, as the Cavs struggled to get in rhythm offensively throughout the first half but thank goodness the Jazz are as bad as they are and missing some of their best players (no Lauri Markkanen or John Collins). Sometimes there’s schedule losses and sometimes there are schedule wins – the Cavs got there slumpbuster in Utah.
The Cavs are still creating opportunities offensively (48.6 potential assists on the season, 48.3 potential assists over their last five games) yet they’re not converting at the league leading rate they were (18th in 47 FG% over last five games; dead last in 31.7 3P%). The first half was much of the same as the Cavs scuffled along to the tune of 38.8 FG%, 12 3P%, and 52.6 FT%.
However, get to the second half and the flood gates open a bit as the Cavs shot 53.2 FG%, 34.8 3P% and 91.7 FT%. They still lost the battle of the three-point line (11 3PM to 16 3PM) but pounded the paint to the tune of doubling the number of field goals made inside the paint + restricted area for the game.
Even 34.8% seemed like it was sent from heaven as the Cavs made more three-pointers in the third quarter (4) than they did the entire first half (3).
The 29-point win is the largest win since February 25, which is also the last time they held an opponent to under 100 points, may seem like it was an easy game, but it was far from it. The Cavs shot poorly in the first half but led just by six at halftime. The Jazz led momentarily during the game but both teams were playing bad enough that it took until the third quarter for the Cavs to create some separation.
It seemed like the game might be a get right game from the start when they quickly jumped out on top 6-0, and Donovan Mitchell was 2-for-2 at the rim (something he’s struggled with immensely of late).
The Jazz also started the game 1-for-6, which was refreshing as teams have shot 45% from three over the last five games which is much different than the 36% from three teams have averaged against the Cavs for the season.
Mitchell also had an assist so good that it even surprised Max Strusand may make the list of best assists on the year by a Cavaliers player.
Mitchell’s stat line didn’t reflect any spectacular game, but the activity early was a big difference than last game in Phoenix. He finished the first quarter with 7 points, 3 assists, 1 rebound and 1 steal. He said last game was on him, and this was the type of response a leader has.
The Cavs were a beneficiary of the Jazz shooting so poorly but something the Cavs have done so well all year on defense is force the opposing offense into mistakes. The Cavs created six mistakes in the first quarter, and 21 on the game for Utah. The 25 to 5 in points off turnovers looms large for the game.
Things were going relatively well then, the end of the first quarter and the second quarter hit. The Cavs proceeded to miss 12 straight three-point attempts while the Jazz went on an 8-0 run and eventually pulled ahead for a brief period in the 2Q.
The Cavs offense looked like it was stuck in neutral. It took them six minutes to score just eight points and luckily the Jazz offense was just as bad or else it could have been a very different looking ball game.
There were two turnovers, a couple of missed layups and two missed short mid-range shots, so it wasn’t just the perimeter game that was off – it was everything. But it still underscores the need for the Cavs to figure out how to better handle shooting slumps and sometimes trying to shoot out of it is not always the best answer.
Perhaps the answer is getting Evan Mobley more than two shots for the quarter. His shot creation evolution is fun to watch, and is something they should go to more whenever they need baskets. Even if it doesn’t lead to a shot attempt, Mobley is a good enough passer where it can lead to a shot attempt for someone else or at another spot on the floor. Just as shooters have gravity so do players like Mobley.
It was one of those slumps that even crept into the free-throw line. The Cavs went just 7-for-13 from the line for the quarter – even the easy ones weren’t so easy.
The best thing about the second quarter is when it was over, and the Cavs somehow managed 23 points and held the Jazz to just 23 points.
The Cavs still couldn’t buy a perimeter shot heading into the second half, but they managed to find their rhythm by increasing the pace and attacking the paint.
The first half saw a pace of 100 while the third quarter had one of 106. As the Cavs were getting stops, they were being opportunistic in getting out on the break to run. They ended the game 94th percentile in points per possession off steals.
They also saw the opportunity to hammer the paint where they had a tremendous advantage – Allen 8’ shot, Mobley 5’ layup, Strus 6’ dunk, Allen 5’ dunk, Allen 7’ floater, Allen 4’ layup, Hunter 4’ layup, Allen 5’ hook. Sprinkle in some three-pointers in between those paint touches and you get a 37-point quarter.
The Cavs have been great about playing outside-in all year long but sometimes the game and the situation calls for playing inside-out, just as the Cavs did in the third quarter. Jarrett Allen was the major recipient of that approach putting up 11 points in the third quarter alone.
Seven Cavalier plays also had an assist in the quarter – it’s amazing what happens when shots start to fall and the energy it gives the team, and the ball.
By the end of the third quarter, the Cavs had an 18-2 paint points advantage in the quarter alone.
For a team that has consistently had issues defensively in the third quarter all season, Mitchell issued a challenge to the Cavs: Hold the Jazz under 20 points for the quarter. The team responded allowing just 19 points on 22.7% shooting – their worst shooting average and point total for the game.
The third quarter was all about connecting stops with easy looks and giving what the defense allows. What the Cavs did was not anything special and is a repeatable formula. It helps when the team you do it against is simply not good, but it was the back to the basics type quarter the Cavs needed.
You could tell the Cavs started to get their swagger back a bit during the quarter – a perfectly executed fast break saw the Cavs go from Mitchell to Garland to Strus for a dunk with the ball touching the floor just once.
Speaking of their swagger: It’s also the small things. While overly demonstrative and exaggerated, Garland was getting hyped up after a few early stops in the third quarter – akin to Allen’s celebration during three-second violations. The Cavs are human and not immune to feeling the flow of the game. But Garland’s exuberance and energy were noted as the Cavs tried to flip the page from their losing ways.
The Cavs big third quarter allowed them to get back to their old ways – taking the fourth quarter off thanks to a large lead. The Cavs lead ballooned to as many as 32 points and that allowed Allen, Mitchell, Mobley and Garland to all rest in the fourth quarter.
There were a few times throughout the quarter that looked like Kenny may have to put his starters back in as the Jazz were finding some footing, but Javonte Green had a couple of key buckets to keep the Jazz at bay.
Kenny elected to go with one of his favorite small-ball lineups in Dean Wade and DeAndre Hunter. The lineup did its job the bulk of the 4th to manage the lead (+1 in 5+ minutes) but also did allow a defensive rating of 130 over that span.
Guys like Craig Porter Jr and Tristan Thompson were also able to get some run in the fourth quarter. Porter ended with three assists while Thompson ended with three baskets made and three rebounds. After his last basket, the bench was enjoying his finishing with either hand on his little push/float shot.
Sam Merrill struggled to find his shot in his homecoming – he grew up in Salt Lake City and went to nearby Utah State. He finished the game just 2-for-9 from three-point range. Merrill has cooled down over his last five games (4-23 on 3P) after starting the month of March on a hot streak.
But, if there’s reasons Kenny continues to keep Merrill in the rotation (to the dismay of some) it’s games like today where he still had 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block and drew two fouls. This season has been about Merrill becoming a better all-around player and much more than just a shooting threat.
For guys he’s competing for minutes with, he played in just 5 more minutes than Wade and Okoro yet outrebounded them, put up more assists and had as many stocks as they did combined. Those are the types of numbers Kenny is likely looking at more than hitting shots which he knows all three guys can do. It’s about who can contribute doing the small things and play good defense in doing so.
Strus was getting a bit of hazing after the game for his dunk attempt on the fast break. If the NBA.com dunking section is right, that still makes for under double-digit dunk makes for Strus on the year.
Ty Jerome managed to make three three-pointers which is the first time he’s made more than two since February 25. So much of the bench being strength is directly related to Jerome being the conductor of the bench bunch. The Cavs secret superpower all year has been the bench being able to create leads as much as maintain them. A lot of the focus of late has been on perimeter shooting and defense (as it should) but attention should also be paid to bench production. They’ve been outscored by bench points during this streak but against the Jazz they were a +10.
Congrats to Mobley on his 100th career double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
The best lineup for the game? The starters, thanks in part to the run to start the third quarter. They ended the game as a +22 with a +90.1 net rating.
One more game to go before the Cavs head home and begin on the stretch to end the season. But up first is a scrappy Portland team that gave the Cavs everything they could handle not too long ago.
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