2023-24 Season | Game #53 | Bulls @ Cavs | February 14, 2024 | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN

[MD13]

I’m not sure how he does it, there is no stat that explains it, but these last 2 games add to the ever increasing correlation of Wade getting good minutes = us winning.

When the other option is Niang, it's pretty self-evident why...

 

[CavsFaninNJ]

I’m not sure how he does it, there is no stat that explains it, but these last 2 games add to the ever increasing correlation of Wade getting good minutes = us winning.

I guess when it comes to relatively marginal players (especially in terms of trusting them in the playoffs) you need more than one for similar roles. Not just cold streaks (Wade against the Knicks), but injuries, etc.

But all things being equal, I take Wade any day, in any matchup. I don't think there's a world where they both get decent playoff minutes.

 

[bleedwineandgold03]

And I fucking apologized for it.

This is fucking hilarious lmaooo

 

[avs2000]

See this is that bullshit I'm talking about

2nd in the East and they don’t compete. What nonsense

 

[The Oi]

Why didn’t Merrill play?

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

• Mitchell had his third quarter but the bench bunch had their fourth quarter to keep the Cavs in the game and gain the momentum they needed. The Garland-Okoro-LeVert-Niang-Mobley crew were a +5 in four fourth quarter big minutes. They provided 4+ minutes of rest for Mitchell and really allowed the Cavs to make a push once Mitchell reentered.
• To that point, the Garland-Mitchell-Okoro-Mobley-Allen finishing lineup was a +7 in 3 fourth quarter minutes. With Strus’ rough night (1-6 3P, -8), Okoro earned fourth quarter finishing minutes. On the night, Okoro put up 16 big points (4-8 3P) and was a +12.

​

Yeah, that group that started the 4th quarter with Mitchell and Allen resting did a great job keeping it close while Donovan rested up for the stretch run. As much as I hate to see Niang's fat ass on the floor, I have to admit he hit some layups in the 4th quarter that were important to the win, and he finally knocked down a 3-pointer after missing four in a row.

Once Mitchell and Allen came in the Cavs closed it out nicely, although they did screw up by doubling DeRo and leaving White open for an uncontested 3 with a minute to go and leading by 3.

Kudos to JBB for recognizing that it just wasn't Strus' night and going with Okoro at crunch time.

 

[Wham with the Right Hand]

I guess when it comes to relatively marginal players (especially in terms of trusting them in the playoffs) you need more than one for similar roles. Not just cold streaks (Wade against the Knicks), but injuries, etc.

Wade didn't have a "cold streak" against the Knicks. He played all year with a shoulder injury that affected his shooting. Now that it's healed he's hitting his 3's (45% in January, 39% so far in Feb).

 

[buzzdog]

I’ve changed my mind. Afro-Okoro is a decent player. WAY better than Braid-Okoro.

For once, you might be on to something.

 

[buzzdog]

Why didn’t Merrill play?

I blame JBB.

 

[guitarguy]

I think one of our problems this game was that the guards got all the assists, which means Allen and Mobley weren't put in enough positions to create, which I believe is a mistake and leads to more difficult offense. We've seen it with Lebron for years, but Jokic, Embiid, Kawai, etc... make teams pay when the bigs make plays. In other words, I know we had a poor shooting game, but we also reverted to guard lead offense, which makes the game harder.

Just my 2 cents/observation.

 

[Mr. Glass]

I think one of our problems this game was that the guards got all the assists, which means Allen and Mobley weren't put in enough positions to create, which I believe is a mistake and leads to more difficult offense. We've seen it with Lebron for years, but Jokic, Embiid, Kawai, etc... make teams pay when the bigs make plays. In other words, I know we had a poor shooting game, but we also reverted to guard lead offense, which makes the game harder.

Just my 2 cents/observation.

Feels right to me.

For a couple months now, DM has been stunningly good at getting the ball to Jarrett in the short roll when they send 2 to the ball. We had the advantage, Jarrett made great decisions with the ball, and guys were shooting pretty well. Simple and so effective.

That all starts with DM's high 3P volume and quick trigger. Darius has neither, so I feel like there's less pressure on those handoffs and ball screens. Bigs are content to drop back and stick to our rolling big.

Darius can punish that by developing a quicker trigger and higher 3P volume. I really hope he will, for his health. But he can also punish it by driving more aggressively. We've seen Darius beat the drop like when we drubbed Denver at home earlier this year. He's got to be assertive and dive into the teeth of the defense for a floater/lob, not timidly work his way to mid-range and short circuit the offense.

Either way, the more pressure Garland's able to put on the defense, the more he'll be able to set up the bigs with advantage.

 

[KilgoreTrout]

Why didn’t Merrill play?

He’s dead. He died.

 

[The Oi]

He’s dead. He died.

Oh ok.

When will he be back?

 

[KansasCavFan]

I guess when it comes to relatively marginal players (especially in terms of trusting them in the playoffs) you need more than one for similar roles. Not just cold streaks (Wade against the Knicks), but injuries, etc.

But all things being equal, I take Wade any day, in any matchup. I don't think there's a world where they both get decent playoff minutes.

Wade missed one shot against the Knicks. Never played again. Not a good example.

 

[KilgoreTrout]

Oh ok.

When will he be back?

On the third day, he shall rise!