Recap: Cavs 113, Bulls 91 (or, Flash…. Aaaaah!)
2017-12-04
Tonight marked the spectacular return of one of Chicago’s favorite sons… no, not Derrick Rose (although he will rejoin the team back in Cleveland). No, this was the return of not only Vintage Dwayne Wade… this was the return of…
FLASH! AAAH!
He’ll save every one of us!
https://twitter.com/ChiSportUpdates/status/937858840401469441
Flash was everywhere… knocking down 9-13 shots (including another three)… getting to the rim and the stripe for 5-5 free throws… co-leading the team in scoring with 24 points off the bench… while swishing sick turnaround jumpers off of some throwback dribbling wizardry. He even chipped in six boards and two assists in bringing the second unit to the rescue once again…
Yes, it’s no secret that Wade has really been finding his way lately as the Grimlock to his Dinobots off the bench… but for much of this one he really just looked like the old…
FLASH! AAAH!
He’s a miracle!
(D)Wyane's World.#AllForOne https://t.co/TaNV8c91Zv
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) December 5, 2017
FLASH! AAAH!
King of the impossible!
Watch Wade WERK ⚡#CavsBulls https://t.co/eJH6zAU3tQ
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) December 5, 2017
Okay… I’m probably going overboard a little on DWade… I mean it’s not as if he did it all by himself. LeBron had himself a game with 23 points on 9-15 shooting with seven boards, six assists and two steals… but what else would you expect from him? Also, Kevin Love had himself a third quarter, scoring 12 straight at one point, and finished with yet another double double (24 points, 13 rebounds) on another super efficient shooting night (8-13).
But, full disclosure, I was patiently/hopefully waiting for an opportunity to use this Flash theme… even in a relatively meaningless regular season game in early December against the worst team in the League. Actually… scratch that… it wasn’t meaningless because it extended the Cavaliers’ winning streak to a full dozen, giving them the chance to go for the franchise record against the entirely beatable Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.
As far as the game itself went… I’ll keep it short and sweet. After digging themselves a brief first quarter hole (they were down 9-3 nearly halfway through the period), LeBron scored seven straight… Kevin scored the next eight… then Jae Crowder scored the next six on back to back treys. Wade, Jeff Green and LeBron finished off the 26-13 run and give the Cavs a seven point lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
LeBron and the Flash Mob pushed the lead out to as much as 18 during a dominant second quarter, and it stayed that way during the Kevin Love third quarter explosion. The only reason the Bulls were able to pull within 15 at the end of the third was due to a Justin Holiday near-halfcourt prayer bank shot that was answered at the buzzer. Bron and Flash were having so much fun, they hung around a bit longer than they probably needed to in the fourth quarter to salt away the victory.
The Evil
There was no Ming the Merciless to vanquish in this game. The Bulls are very likely the worst team in the NBA… and they seem fairly resigned to their high lottery fate. Lauri Markkanen and Justin Holiday weren’t nearly the problematic duo they were for the Cavs back in October. In fact, no Bull scored more than 15 points, and nobody really stood out for them. That’s a credit to just how far the Cavs (and their bench in particular) have come in just over a month.
Outside of the first six minutes of the game when the Cavs combined a dry shooting spell with some sloppy and careless defense, there really wasn’t much else they did wrong. JR had a quiet game, but really wasn’t needed for much.
The only other nit to pick was with Coach Lue not giving his youngsters much run in this slow motion blow out. LeBron stayed in with the Dinobots to start both the second and fourth quarters, so that cut into the minutes that Cedi Osman had been getting. It was understandable given the chemistry that LBJ and Wade were experiencing… and, I’m sure the King really wanted to make sure Flash’s return to Chi-town was a triumphant one. At least Cedi and Ante Zizic got to play the final four minutes plus.
The Genius
LeBron continued to make his early case for MVP. On the heels of being named the Player of the Month and the Player of the Week… he put up yet another in a string of ultra efficient performances. It’s also awesome to see him start to really get that synchronicity back with DWade that harkens back to their days together in Miami.
Don’t look now, but Kevin Love is elevating his own PER with a string of insanely efficient and productive lines of his own. He’s now scored 107 points in his last 111 minutes of play… that’s incredible. Not to mention hauling in 49 rebounds in the last four games. He’s putting up All Star caliber numbers and has become a steady and lethal weapon.
The bench was amazing again, outscoring the Bulls’ bench 49-28. Much of that difference was Wade, but the other real standout tonight was Jeff Green who fell just two boards shy of another double double. He brought his now almost expected brand of athleticism and hustle, while chipping in 14 points, eight rebounds and two assists. With the exception of Cedi and Zizic (who only played in mop up time), every Cav had a positive plus/minus.
The Cavs held the Bulls under 100 and to just 41.5% shooting (26.5% from deep), while hitting 52% (36% from three).
Oh yeah… and also…
FLASH! AAAH!
He’s for every one of us
Stand for every one of us
He save with a mighty hand
Every man, every woman
Every child, with a mighty
FLASH!
For the hometown fans: #ThisIsWhyWePlay https://t.co/vUfS1uq7EY
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) December 5, 2017
GO! FLASH! GO!
Let’s get a baker’s dozen!
Nate, you are gonna love IT. He is far from perfect, especially on D. He is an energy guy in the starting lineup. His passion is contagious. That will help us. As will his shooting.
Not much action from the bottom 10 tonight. Suns on a b2b in Toronto. Wins:
3 = Bulls;
5 = Hawks;
7 = Kings, Mavs
8 = Grizz, Lakers, Clippers
9 = Suns, Nets, Hornets
Is it possible to love IT the person, and hate IT the player?
You really hate him as a player?
He can’t be worse than Rose, Calderon, or any other option we have. We weren’t getting Bledsoe without the Brooklyn pick…so…..
It is hard to predict the future, but I am totally on board with the IT experiment, and I think about 90% of us are. I was not buying in at first, but once you watch some film, and mostly his in game energy on the bench, it is hard not to think he will be a big plus.
Nice cap, EG. Even though DWade has lost a step, it’s still impressive how many shots he blocks and balls he tips away for steals. In the LeBron 2.0 era, the Cavs haven’t had anyone at guard who can do these things consistently. Hope he can stay fresh all year.
Right. Your foot speed slows a lot more than your hand speed.
That is key. I think some rest games for Wade after IT comes back are in order.
Superb recap
3) Lastly, there is the grabage time, foul trouble, rest, matchup issues, and injury replacement roles.
This stuff WILL happen. Injuries already have. Guys will need rest. We are old. Use this time wisely for reintegration and experimentation.
This is where I would mostly use Rose & TT for now. We have seen Wade struggle bringing the ball up with pesky guards, Rose can help. We have seen games where we get killed on the glass. Put TT in.
2) He usually doesn’t do hockey lone changes. At least at first.
Thus, you don’t see all the Dinobots come in at once. Usually Wade for Jose first. When Shump started sometimes Korver would come in first. Sometimes Green. Frye usually last.
Instead of a Dinobot syb in the first quarter, Lue could sub in Rose/TT. This would allow them time with the starters (mostly). While the 5th floater would give them time with the reserves.
Agree with JMay & JRL wholeheartedly about the rotation. IT for Calderon & everything else stays the same. However, Lue has done some things that make it easier to incorporate guys back. 1) Dinobots + 1. Wade, Korver, Green, & Frye are usually all in there to start the 2nd & 4th. Sometimes at the end of the 1st & 3rd. The 5th member floats. James, JR, & Shump have been the main guys. I have also seen Osman & Calderon. And even Love with Frye once. I could see Lue using the end of 1st or 2nd quarter floating… Read more »
fridays game against pacers will be a good “barometer ‘ test for the cavs —-and then 76er’s on sat—back / back —if the streak is still alive after this weekend WOW !!—-IT WILL BE CALLENGING FOR SURE
Definitely going to be tough to maintain the win streak through the weekend.
Sandwich game potential for the Kings game.
When TT comes back, do you start him over Crowder? If so, do you move Love back to the 4 spot?
The only starting change I’m making is IT for Calderón. Anything else will throw off the mojo. TT will move to the bench and you need to decide on playing him, Green or Frye.
Kind of the same for Rose. I can see him playing when JR, Wade are not doing good but besides that he will probably sit more than play.
I think I pretty much agree with you. The regular rotation should stay as it stands right now with the exception of IT in for Calderon. Unfortunately for TT and DRose, they should be relegated to spot work and matchup play or if someone isn’t effective. Anything more significant than that and we could be revisiting early season struggles a bit more than we’d like.
I think the key is Rose needs to not see the floor :)
I can see arguments for starting TT or him coming off the bench. That is a tougher decision.
Ya, I started out with high hopes for Rose. Turns out, he’s exactly who he was said to be. If only he could pass the ball once he got in the lane. He just has too many things that we need that he can’t provide. Can’t pass, shoot, or play defense. All three of those are the most vital things we need right now. Plenty of people who can drive to the hoop on this team…
Agree with Hot Sauce. Having Korver around for camp has helped as well.
I mean, TT could be outside the top 9. Rose likely is. Shump is. Calderon will be.
I mean, we could send some pretty decent players out there who are OUT of our rotation: Calderon, Rose, Shump, TT.
Yeah. Calderon is decent. Surprisingly.
With a healthy IT and TT, I am pretty sure this team is better than last year’s, no? DWade as 6th man is just a massive improvement over last year’s bench situation. Jeff Green is a great fit, plus either Crowder or TT will slide back to the bench when TT comes back, making the bench even better.
Totally agree with Hot Sauce.
I am skeptical TT will be all that effective. Frye is a better option in the second unit since he provides them with much much needed shooting considering Wade and Green are part of that unit. Lose Frye and the spacing becomes far tighter for them. As a starter I like Love at the five for the exact same reason. Teams at least have to close out on Crowder. TT is a non factor offensively and no longer, at least as of last year and this year, all that much of a plus defender. As far as IT, I think… Read more »
another ‘masterful ” recap by the evil one —–just a thought —-I am thinking dwade might also be having some influence on klove this season ( playing with more confidence / playing like his timberwolves days )—just think having dwade around –maybe to confide in has helped love ——pretty sure there have been talks with drose about his role going forward on this team / what they want—expect from him—-if he can’t fulfill that obligation –pretty sure he will be packing his bags —I am rooting for him –still think if he is ALL IN with the role he can… Read more »
Meanwhile, the Nets are climbing higher and higher…
We’ll see. They just had a 3 game stretch of schedule vs Dallas & Atlanta twice with ATL missing their top 3 centers. Went 2-1.
Still think they are likely headed for 4th to 6th. Could go higher.
Really enjoying the way the Cavs have been playing up late, playing nice defense and sharing the ball well.
At the other hand, I hope the DRose situation doesn’t affect team chemistry in the long run.
Can wait for Friday’s game against the Pacers as I would to see the Cavs face some adversity.
nice Flash references, I just watched the movie Ted few weeks ago haha…watched maybe 10 minutes of this game, the Bulls are really bad, just don’t have shooters at all, definitely tanking.
When Lavine & Mirotic get back, they will improve some.
Awesome recap as usual EG.
Anyone watch Kyrie highlights? Seeing him ball in Celtic green makes me sick. As happy as I am with how the Cavs are playing, I do miss Uncle Drew.
Flash was good. Barbarella was also good but less relevant to sports.
It’s LeBrons world….we’re just living in it
Props for the Flash references. One of my favorite terrible movies of all time.
Question? Does that make Allie Clifton Dale Arden?
Give me some help with that one.
A former colleague of mine was named Arden Dale.