- We're going streaking! With a win Friday night the Cavs have their longest win streak of the season: Two games. This is also the first time they are at or above .500 since an opening night win against Brooklyn. The Cavs had to start somewhere, and it's been taking advantage of two young, disjointed, injury plagued teams in Detroit and Portland. But hey, with how the season has gone up until this point the Cavs will take it.
- The first two baskets of the game were high action with Evan Mobley around the elbow. One was a big two-man game between Mobley and Jarrett Allen that lead to a lob; the other was between Max Strus and Mobley that lead to a three-pointer for Strus. Mobley ended up with five assists for the game but the high action that the coaching staff promised during training camp hasn't quite blossomed just yet. More Mobley at the elbow is beneficial for all.
- Speaking of Mobley's offensive game, this is now game six of Mobley playing without one or both of Mitchell and Garland. With Mitchell and Garland being on the court, the offense runs through them and a bulk of the shots are occupied by the guards. Without Mitchell and/or Garland, theoretically, there is more offense to go around which would directly impact a guy like Mobley. Ironically enough, Mobley has averaged more shots per game with Garland and Mitchell but has been more efficient with one or both of them out.
- 6 games without Mitchell and/or Garland: 7 FGM, 9.6 FGA, 72.9% FG, 17.6 PPG
- 6 games with Mitchell and Garland: 6.8 FGM, 12.3 FGA, 55.2% FG, 15.6 PPG
- How about Craig Porter Jr? It's only taken Ty Jerome being out for ten games for CPJ to get some extended minutes (in fairness, he did get 22 minutes in an all-hands-on-deck game early on versus New York where the Cavs were missing Allen, Garland and Jerome). In 16 minutes, CPJ was a +14 with 12 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 free throws made and shot 55%. The pace and control in which he plays with is atypical for a rookie point guard let alone for an undrafted one. In the limited action he's had, he certainly has looked like he belongs at the NBA level. Teams will begin to sag off and make him prove he can beat them with his jumper but for now his ability to get in the lane and finish stands out.
- If I see another Georges Niang floater...
- Niang had a rough October (4-21) from three point range but is rounding a bit into shape in November. He's up to 35.7% (10-28) from three for November, and 55.5% (5-9) in his last three. It's still not where the Cavs need or expected him to be but good to see him (hopefully) rounding into shape.
- The Cavs have a first quarter problem. Through twelve games, they've only held opponents under 30 points four times and held the lead after the first quarter in five games. Tonight they did both. In games they lead after the first quarter, they're 3-2. In first quarters they've held teams under 30 points, they're 4-0. Problem is Cavs are 26th in first quarter defensive rating allowing 120.9 points per 100 possessions, and hold a -7.7 net rating. It gets better after the 1st quarter, as their defensive rating in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters are all top-11. The Cavs have consistently put themselves in a hole to start game and let the opposing team get into rhythm. It's been hard for them to dig out of it even if their defense significantly approves. If the Cavs can fix their first quarter woes, it'll go along way in righting the ship.
- The lowly Pistons didn't break 30 points in the first quarter tonight but they still shot over 50% from the field and had seven offensive rebounds. They ended up with 18 offensive rebounds on the game -- 11 more than the Cavs had. The Cavs are currently 23rd in the league allowing 15.6 second chance points per game, and are 26th in the league in defensive rebounding percentage at 68.9%. Not only are the Cavs allowing a high rate of offensive rebounds, they're also allowing a large number of second chance points. The offensive rebounding and second chance points are and have been back-breakers.
- The bigger question is if it's scheme or effort. In reality, it may be a little bit of both. One noticeable thing is the Cavs don't seem to be helping the help well. Brad Daughtery pointed it out on one Pistons offensive position where the Cavs pick-and-roll lead to an easy offensive rebound on the backside. While the Cavs first help seems to be there enough to be a deterrent, when the Cavs are asked to rotate to cover the help either to an open shooter or to an open rebounder, it hasn't gone well. The Cavs seem to be a step slow at times, and not as tight on a string as you'd like to see. Being a step late can lead to offensive rebounds and open perimeter shots.
- What happened to Tristan Thompson? We know Bickerstaff put a quick end to the Damian James experience but in the last three games Thompson only reached 10+ minutes in one game. This is a natural progression as everyone gets healthy but Thompson and/or James were also brought in to provide temporary relief for Mobley and Alleen. It doesn't have to be much, but a few minutes every half to give both a break, maybe give a foul and change the energy/physicality is a strategy Bickerstaff should use more often. We saw what happened when the coaching staff rode Allen and Mobley too hard in the playoffs without a true alternative when another big was needed.
- One thing that's been more noticeable this year has been Darius Garland overdribbling to the extent of working himself into trouble. Whether this has been getting one dribble to deep into the paint or taking one too many dribbles before making the pass, Garland has been more mistake and turnover prone than normal. Garland's turnover percentage has skyrocketed to 24% despite being 15.7% for his career. Garland had more turnovers (5) than assists (3) which is the second time this year that's happened. That happened five times all last year. He's going to have to get his play under more control if the Cavs are going to be a more efficient team.
- A win is a win but the game got a little too close for comfort. The Cavs were missing some guys (Mitchell, Okoro and Jerome) but the Pistons came losers of nine straight, missing several key starters, on the road and playing two-way guys major minutes. There were some key spots where the Cavs had stretch the lead but never were able to consistently put enough distance between the Pistons to clear the benches during the 4th.
- Next up: Cavs will be at home on Sunday against the Nuggets.
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