Round 2 Game 1 | Hawks @ Cavs | May 2, 2016 | 7:00 PM EST

[Rick Astley]

All I know is Cavs sucked in contrast to both their usual operation and potential. From there, the only way is to go up. That's why I'm pumped for Thursday's game.

 

[Rick Astley]

Driving home from the game and a few takeaways:

I truly, honestly believe that Tristan is in the head of Horford/Milsap.

This is why he thinks he's worth $82M. He's a huge reason why we swept the first seed last year without 2 of our best pieces. Him continuing this trend is strengthening his rationale for the annoying holdout.

 

[SteelSmack]

where are you finding stats like this

I'm guessing he just looked at the box score and did some basic math.

 

[The Oi]

Thoughts... Please tell me if you disagree, curious if I am just overly optimistic...

• #1 thing from the game? J.R. Smith. Dude was fucking GLUE on Korver. There was one play that Korver came off a killer screen and I still don't know how J.R. got to him. Wild defense. No one nationally will credit him, cause it isn't sexy enough but damn so good. Same with Shump. He actually scored a few times too off good shots. J.R. and Shump help them together well outside of the Big 3.
• LeBron looked hella off most of the game. I figured he was hurt but he hit his stride at the end so not too worried.
• A more consistent game from Kyrie in terms of when he scored would've kept that a blowout throughout. The second he turned it on late that shit was over.
• Delly was largely awful
• Frye was eh too, got a lot of minutes, missed open looks
• People keep saying the Hawks will shoot better, but...
  • Horford and Millsap shot poorly because the defense forced them to. Both seemed to take far worse shots than normal due to a lack of wanting to attack TT.
• Love... woof... at first. I think rust hit him the most. He hit shots when he needed to in the end.
• Really sick of them blowing leads, but I am going to chalk it up to: A) rust and B) them just trying to coast when they got the lead. I am fine if they coast... late in the 4th.
• I expect both teams to play a bit better, but I think when both are more polished, the game will be a blowout. Cavs hit a lot of threes, but really did nothing else. They seemed off, and I blame rest.

Agree with all but LeBron looking off. He looked engaged on both sides and I remember maybe one dumb shot.

Otherwise, he facilitated when needed, forced the action at the hoop and took open shots when they were given.

He was well defended when driving but that's not his fault.

 

[Tlyons]

It won't be long before the media starts pushing the narrative that players have figured out how to guard Lebron without fouling.

Just remember that Love and Lebron both shunned espn when you think about how we are officiated.

 

[David.]

I'm guessing he just looked at the box score and did some basic math.

Boxscore isn't going to tell you how long you lead for how much

 

[SteelSmack]

Boxscore isn't going to tell you how long you lead for how much

I meant play by play.[emoji14]

 

[Andrew]

that's what I did in my post when I posted the offensive run by the Cavs in the 4th. I just went to play-by-play and did the math.

 

[czvo]

where are you finding stats like this

I went to the play by play and counted it up myself.

 

[jlegg21]

Agree with all but LeBron looking off. He looked engaged on both sides and I remember maybe one dumb shot.

Otherwise, he facilitated when needed, forced the action at the hoop and took open shots when they were given.

He was well defended when driving but that's not his fault.

Lebron is getting close to that peak Finals version that's virtually unstoppable. I'd put him in the "heating up" stage at this point, you can feel it coming.

The one thing I wish he'd do less of, laying on the floor bitching for a call after he misses a contested layup. Happened multiple times last night and nearly always cost the team a possession or points on the board. He needs to knock that off and wait for stoppage of play to work the officials.

That's literally the only thing I can find to gripe about. He's been spectacular.