Barely A Recap: Clippers 116, Cavs 102 (or, Feeling Gray and Green)
2018-03-10
I don’t know why Jeff Green is smiling… maybe he’s thinking about the green light Ty Lue has given him to aggressively jack threes with abandon… or maybe fantasizing about his next roller skating routine… or maybe he just loves any chance to wear his Orwellian gray “The Land” getup for a game.
The back of Ballmer’s head…
Needless to say… I am not smiling. Technically, I should be… even though the Cavs lost a game they were barely in on the road to the Clippers. The primary reason being that I got an unexpected free ticket for a choice seat at Staples Center for the contest… about three rows behind where Steve Ballmer shouts and gesticulates until his head turns beet red. The view was terrific no question… but I wasn’t really able to get as riled up as I normally do rooting for the Cavs, mainly because I was sitting with several employees of the Clipper organization. Not that there was a whole lot to cheer for on the Cleveland side of things for much of this one.
The other problem with sitting in this particular section is that the Clippers give out inflatable plastic noisemaker sticks and encourage fans to bash them together constantly during free throws. This is especially the case in the fourth quarter where the fans are rewarded for consecutive misses from the foul line by the opposing team with a free chicken sandwich at Chick-fil-A. I’m not sure if the root cause was the noisemakers or the play of the Cavs for the majority of the evening… but whatever it was left me with a splitting headache (which is why this recap will be on the shorter side).
I should have known it was going to be a bad night as soon as the Cavaliers shed their warm ups… revealing the uniforms I’ve come to despise… those very same “The Land” gray monstrosities. To be clear, I haven’t been a fan of them from the moment they were unveiled given their general aesthetic hideousness. Now that the Cavs are a woeful 1-6 while wearing them… I hate them that much more. Note to the front office… whatever the fine is from Nike for refusing to wear these uniforms ever again, I will gladly chip in or create a Kickstarter to help offset the cost.
The Game
In theory, the outcome was somewhat in doubt deep into the third quarter as the Cavs made a run to close it to four at one point. In reality, that was as close as they’d get because they dug themselves too deep a hole to climb out of to begin with, and ran out of bodies and steam.
To start the first, a JR Smith three, a LeBron James drive and another JR bucket, sandwiched around two easy Clipper scores in the paint, gave the Cavs an early 7-4 lead. That would be their last advantage of the game. For the remaining 9:30 of the quarter, the Clippers outscored the Cavs 31-10, as Tobias Harris and Sindarius Thornwell bombed away from the outside while DeAndre Jordan dominated the interior. The Cavs couldn’t buy a three pointer… especially not Uncle Jeff, who clanked two of his inexplicable five attempts to finish the quarter. A Lou Williams trey at the buzzer gave the Clips a 35-17 lead… handing the Cavs one of their worst opening frames of the season (which is kind of hard to do). The Cavs also lost Rodney Hood to back soreness… but not before he missed all three of his shots.
The Cavs’ reserves made a decent run to cut the Clipper lead in half to start the second, behind some Cedi Osman hustle, some nice minutes from Ante Zizic and a couple of Jordan Clarkson threes. The only problem was that Montrezl Harrell was playing like a man possessed. Harrell poured in 12 of his 20 points off the bench in the quarter, and the Cavs had no answer for the back up big man. Jeff Green missed a dunk and another three point shot… but was not alone in that this quarter as six different Cavs threw up bricks from the perimeter. After LeBron checked back in, the Clippers pushed the lead back out to 19 before a couple of JR swishes helped narrow the gap to 61-47 at the half.
The halftime show featured L.A.’s own Nipsey Hussle… which was pretty entertaining, although did my throbbing head no favors.
The third quarter began with both teams trading baskets. The Clips kept finding an open Tobias Harris (since LeBron only sometimes bothered to close out on him), and he kept draining threes. LeBron countered with one of his own, and George Hill also tossed in a three, while Larry Nance Jr. finally got a couple of lobs thrown his way. Cedi filled in for the injured Hood… and then promptly got injured himself (hip). Still, the Clippers ballooned their lead back to 16 on a pair of relatively uncontested dunks by DeAndre Jordan. Things looked bleak, but the Cavs went on a 12-0 run fueled by LeBron and Clarkson to cut the deficit to four with about a minute left in the quarter. Unfortunately, an LBJ turnover and pair of free throw misses allowed the Clips to score the final four points of the quarter (all by Montrezl Harrell) to push it back to eight, 85-77.
Harrell continued to abuse the Cavs with two more buckets to start the fourth, and when he was done… Der Kinder Lumper (Boban Marjanovic) took over with three put backs in succession off of offensive rebounds. Clarkson and JR tried to shoot the Cavs back into the game, but they were off-set by a suddenly hot Lou Williams (eight points in the quarter). Cleveland did manage to pull within eight on a George Hill triple with three minutes to go (after Ty Lue resorted to several possessions of hack-a-DJ), but the Clips scored the last six points of the game to put it away.
Der Kinder Lumper
The Evil
You can say they’re irrelevant, but I’m a firm believer that the gray uniforms need to be immediately retired and then set on fire. No disrespect to “The Land” but these duds need to be banned.
Jeff Green was somehow a +8 on the night… despite shooting a miserable 3-12 and an inconceivable 0-5 from three. This can’t happen if the Cavs want to be successful. Green is shooting a shade under 20% from deep since January, and it’s only getting worse. He’s at his best when he is cutting off the ball or driving to the hole with authority. He has officially replaced Iman Shumpert as the guy who shouldn’t take threes on this team.
Outside of that stretch towards the end of the third quarter, none of the Cavs did a particularly good job on defense. Guys were generally slow on their closeouts and rotations, and JR was a standout as he got burned a few times. LeBron also did a poor job of closing out on Tobias Harris, allowing him to get going early from range. Larry Nance Jr. got caught up defending against drives and wound up getting beat by Jordan on the glass for easy dunks and put-backs. Losing Hood and Osman for much of the game didn’t help with the defensive rotation, but there weren’t too many positives outside of a few blocks and steals.
Offensively, the Cavs didn’t really run much (not a surprise). Most of the action came out of ISOs from either LeBron or Clarkson. It was telling watching the action from the baseline at court level that the Cavs generally look like they’re just playing a pick up game at the Y. There’s not much rhyme or reason to their schemes, and they get awfully predictable in a hurry. For instance, once they finally ran an alley oop for Nance, they went back to that well a couple more times, and the Clips sniffed it out. I know that Ty Lue has stripped his sets down to make them as vanilla as possible for the new Cavs, but there’s got to be more than this.
Rough shooting night for both Hood (in his limited minutes) and Kyle Korver. They were 0-7 between them, and neither could get a rhythm going.
George Hill doesn’t look for his shot enough… and Jordan Clarkson looks for his shot too much. If these guys could find a happy medium, the Cavs would be better off.
Ante Zizic looked pretty good offensively, even though he had a tough time stopping Montrezl Harrell. Still, the Cavs built some momentum while Big Z 2.0 was in, yet Lue yanked him after his eight minutes and never re-inserted him.
Ty Lue gets a partial pass since both Hood and Cedi went down with injuries… but he could have used Zizic to spell Nance a bit longer, or brought in Calderon to help run some plays. He’s also seemingly given Jeff Green the go ahead to shoot threes… which is yet another blow to his coaching reputation.
The Cavs are already down Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson… and now they might be without Hood and Osman for at least a game or two in the middle of a road trip.
My brain feels like it’s getting smashed between two inflatable noisemaker sticks… so I’ll stop there.
You can just see the noisemaker stick about to hit me…
The Genius
Despite some of the box score stuffing stats… there weren’t a ton of positives to take away from this game.
Yes, LeBron had 25 points, 10 boards, six assists, three blocks and two steals, but he also had five turnovers (some pretty ugly) and had a fairly awful first half when the Cavs went down by almost 20. This was a pretty good fake on DJ though…
🔥 🔥 🔥#SHEESH https://t.co/mEl42aNoVr
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) March 10, 2018
Larry Nance Jr. might have had his least good game as a Cav… yet he still managed 16 points (on 7-10 shooting) with 12 boards. He had his hands full with DJ, Harrell and Boban tonight.
JR had a decent shooting game (6-15, 3-9 from three) with 15 points to go with five assists and three steals. If a couple more of his threes drop, it’s a different game. Oh… and he did break Milos Teodosic’s ankles on this play…
😲 @TheRealJRSmith https://t.co/g8kAHLpHDI
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) March 10, 2018
Jordan Clarkson also had a good shooting night (6-12, 4-5 from deep), scoring 21 and getting to the line to go 5-5. He needs to work on his court vision, but he was at least the secondary scorer the Cavs needed in this one.
Complaints aside… I did get to see the Cavs up close and personal for free… so that’s something.
Parting Shot
The L.A. Distraction Tour is only half over, as the Cavs will stick around and play the Lakers at the Staples Center on Sunday evening. I’ll also be at that game, albeit in much more nosebleedish seats. Given their injuries, the Cavs are going to need some above average homecoming games from Nance and Clarkson to overcome a young Lakers team that will no doubt be looking to impress LeBron with their abilities. Unlike the Clippers, however, the Lakeshow has very little to play for this year. Here’s hoping the Cavs take out their annoyance of dropping the first leg of the L.A. trip on former team mate Isaiah Thomas… before he can rediscover his “powers” against them. Also, this loss drops the Cavs just a half game ahead of the Wizards and Pacers for third place in the East… so wins on the rest of this roadie will be at a premium… despite what LeBron says about seeding.
Until next time… <go cavs> (whispered due to the pounding in my skull)…
JOEY B —HOPE IT IS MORE LIKE —-5-11 !
SVSM’S/ LEBRON’S ALMA MATER —-PLAYING REVERE –‘LNJ”‘S ALMA MATER AND WHERE HIS YOUNGER BROTHER IS A STAR —–SHOULD BE SOME GOOD ‘ LOCKER ROOM CHATTER “
agree Raoul——-nets pick got a boost ( somewhat today ) with bulls winning—-nets losing to the sixers at present —–not expecting too much from the cavs tonight ( with all the injuries –AND TY STILL THE COACH )—–unless LEBRON decides to go wild —to intice LA fans even more / or maybe ‘LNJ ” shows why lakers should have kept him—just hope the cavs ” FLUSH DOWN THE DRAINO “—-GO CAVS !!
This might be the problem: http://people.com/tv/tristan-thompson-birthday-after-khloe-kardashian-baby-shower/
remember the constant debate —-T.T. OR VALICUNAS——THINK THAT DEBATE IS PRETTY MUTE RIGHT NOW —RAPTORS TO ENJOY THE ” LAST LAUGH “
don’t want either one
so is the ‘honeymoon ” over from the KOLBY DEADLINE TRADE —-LeBron–“making ripples ” about not being consulted and would have welcomed a DEANDRE JORDAN TRADE ———and the beat goes on !!!
that was my fear Jason —they might go .500 the remainder of their games which could take that pick to # 10 (or higher )
Nets update. The other tankers have tanked more successfully than I thought in recent weeks, leaving the Nets in a better spot than I had hoped. They do have an easy patch coming up (home vs Mavs, Grizz, Hornets) & also have an away Magic game & a home & home with the Bulls left. Six highly wonnable games.
Wins:
18 = Memphis (L17 straight)
19 = Phoenix
20 = Magic, Hawks
21 = Nets, Mavs, Kings
22 = Bulls
Today:
Bulls at Hawks
Kings at Nuggets
Rockets at Mavs
Sixers at Nets
I keep telling you 7-9
Cedi out at least two weeks…
agreed jb225—–injuries / new players / and MOST ( WORST OF ALL ) TYCLUELESSEXCUSES IS STILL OUR COACH—-YES WE HAVE LEBRON (FOR THE TIME BEING )– BUT DON’T THINK EVEN LEBRON CAN OVERCOME ALL THESE OBSTACLES ————————ON ANOTHER SUBJECT—DO LIKE WHAT THE BROWNS ARE DOING !!
On one hand, they might have paid a bit high in these four moves. On the other hand, they are trying to make a dramatic turnaround, from tankers to contenders in one year. Already the team looks like it could contend (if Joe T is back). Given that they still have four high picks, they might pull it off. A major issue is being stuck with Hue Jackson, who makes Ty Lue look like a master play caller. But FB is different than BB, and maybe the OC and DC can run things, and Hue can be kind of a… Read more »
Surprised they sided with Hue over Sashi and co. Granted Sashi missed on Watson and Wentz for returns that remain to be seen just how valuable they are.
Sashi’s plan may or may not have been really good. But there is not doubt that Hue has no idea how to be a head coach. Hue’s worst offense is going over Sashi’s head to make an insane last minute trade for a QB in hopes of winning a game after he had botched the QB’s he had beyond belief. I think the trade was two second round picks for a mediocre QB who would be a FA in about six games! (Now the Brown’s have a much better QB for a third round pick). My guess is that Jimmy… Read more »
Just finished watching a replay of this game and again the defense or lack their off was noticeable again but the 3-18 from three from JG, KK and JR didn’t help too.
Again I don’t see the Cavs getting past the Raptors or Celtics. Just my honest opinion.
Lack of ball movement is serious issue here, especially guys like cedi and green for cutting and stuff like that u need ball movement , with no ball movement u only rely on 3s , if they go in u win if not u lose
still think Kolby needs to find a viable BIG and probably now a swingman ——-work your magic ‘MR KOLBY “
Korver probably out tomorrow also ——GEEZ !!
agree with both mikeo / Jason —–silvern should send memo to cavs for ‘tanking “—(sarcasm )—so now maybe we go 2-4 on this road trip ———-man just don’t see ( even with all our players healthy ) of getting past the RAPTORS
So Cedi getting an MRI on his hip Monday, no MRI for Hood, but sitting the Lakers game, and Lue says Green will start. JR and Green starting…think I’ll find something else to do for that game.
I hate sounding like a broken record but Zz, under the right coach/system, could be a major player in this more agile NBA.
I called him a poor man’s Paul Gasol and I stand by that. Sucks his talents will be wasted under cLueless.
Based on last couple of games, seems we’d be in a dogfight for making the western conf playoffs.
sounds about right
Cedi heard a “pop in his groin.” that could be bad right?
Definitely not good. Doesn’t sound like something I would like to happen to me.
I’d love to run regressions to see how negatively LeBron affects team rebounding. I would think he’d be in the bottom 25% of the league.
The Cavs going small was bizarre. They should’ve tried Zizic and green instead of running green at center. That or Korver over green. Just a baffling fourth quarter rotation. Also the scouting reports: no one seemed to have any idea Montrezl was good.
Finally, LeBron was a terrible. Team low – 16 in plus/minus. They were frankly better with him on the bench. His D and his rebounding were awful.
They really were better with Lebron on the bench.
Ty Lue offense:
1) Be aggressive
2) Play with pace so take the 1st avail shot
Ty Lue defense:
1) Who the hell knows?
jr smith, human turnstile really isnt helping out there
lue continues to coach an unprepared, low energy team with bad rotations
good thing about back / back games in LA —no travel—-will almost feel like a home game / be rested come sunday night –hope they play with more energy——–this GAFFORD kid from ARKANSAS continues to impress me—-looks like a sleeper ( similar to the greek freak )—may not be special for first couple of years –but after that—LOOK OUT
Agree with Bens comments on Tobias Harris…..think he fits perfectly with a Lebron like team where he can catch a shoot 3s at a hot clip…the Pisotns and Clips really haven’t fallen far off since that trade, maybe Pistons lately, but both are within playoff distance still…such a bizarre trade that left both teams in pretty decent shape, despite what we believed the narrative to be.
Watched first half live and then second half via highlights from YouTube….looked like team was sleepwalking through first half and not very jacked for this game…its also unreal how often DJ was wide open near the basket even though he barely strays 5 ft from basket….just didn’t seem to be a good shooting night and when a guy named Montrezl is hitting multiple baskets and Austin Rivers is hitting ‘Steph Curry 3s’ its just not your night. I do agree with the gray uniforms….surprised a superstitious guy like Lebron would still allow them to be worn…Cavs need to go back… Read more »
I put Montrezl in the scouting report. The dude is a terror. Future all-star.
Ty is terrible.
Cavs are still mediocre.
“Ty Lue stripped his sets”…sounds impossible since they barely ran stuff with more than one or two actions to begin with. They have never had anything resembling an offense with actions after initial pindowns, perimeter weaves, single high screens, etc. The initial action (maybe a floppy screen for Korver) happens with nothing happening on the other side of the floor and then if that doesn’t work the offense goes into ISO.
Also the dribble handoff elbow screens which has really only started to happen with Nance who brought it with him from LA, was something Love did all the time in Minny.
GUESS WE WERE HOPING / EXPECTING 3-3 RECORD ON THIS ROAD TRIP—-MAYBE WE CAN SNEAK IN 2 MORE WINS AND THEN GET HOME AGAIN
WAKE UP EVIL—-HAD TO DO THAT ——did not watch the game —guess I was fortunate in that regard —probably won’t even watch the replay—–how did / how bad are the injuries to cedi / hood—-Kolby needs to try and fill the open roster spots with 2 possible contributors —–need more ANTE
Hahaha. … great Cap EG. Or sorry…. sshhh. eg. …. Nomad will have to keep it down with the all caps for your poor head. I’m so tired when people say that “no one” expected this or that about certain NBA teams. Sure, some casual fans might have assumed he Clips were going full tank mode after they traded Griffin, but anyone who really follows ball knows how much talent Tobias Harris has and what kind of player he can be in this era. Even if they were both going to 15 Mil a year, I’d take Harris. I have… Read more »
They need Love bad. Totally agree on Cedi. Green should get 8 minutes and cut and slash the whole time. You could tell Nance needed help. That’s why I was surprised at Zizic getting so few minutes. Lue went small to no avail. Missed a lot of decent looks though too. Rough game
Sorry it was such a sucky experience for you EG. Hoping for better against Magic’s mob.