- Joined
- Oct 3, 2019
- Messages
- 10,328
- Reaction score
- 29,619
- Points
- 135
Yeah, you could see them deliberately switch Garland onto Haliburton and then he would just shoot the 3 in rhythm, knowing even if Garland was in his face he couldn't contest the shot.It is hard to disrupt 3 point shooting when your guards are midgets. Pacers and Nets shot over our guards the entire evening.
This is what we signed up for when we traded for Spida.
It got to the point where the Pacers weren't even bothering to get right up to the 3-point line - as soon as they got in the general area they'd launch the shot, knowing it was going in. When both Haliburton and Hield are on fire in the same game there's not much you can do.
However, JBB criticized the team for not playing "our game" and getting caught up in the Pacers' fast-paced game. I don't know about that - at halftime the Cavs had outscored them 18-9 on fast breaks. But in the 4th quarter the Cavs were up by 7 and instead of grinding out possessions and getting dunks they got into a running game and were blown out over the last five minutes. Also, Garland injured his thumb and couldn't even make a free throw. He said he didn't want to even shoot them he was in so much pain.
I want to see this team about four weeks after Wade and Rubio get back. I was encouraged by the Cavs scoring 126 points last night. It was a combination of Mitchell having a bad night shooting (10-for-25) and 60+ percent shooting by the Pacer on 3's that turned what should have been a W into an L.
JBB also criticized the Cavs for not playing defense. The team that gives up 104 points per game was scorched for 135. My observation is the Cavs emphasize protecting the paint (they lead the NBA in fewest points allowed in the paint) and they're willing to concede some open 3's in order to prevent layups. When they face a team that is hot from outside they pay the price.
Normally you expect a team to make about 35-40% of their 3's. If that were the case last night the Pacers would have made 12 instead of 19 from deep and the Cavs win by 13. Make it 15 if not for the blown goaltending call.