‘If they figure it out come playoff time, they are going to be very dangerous’: What they’re saying about the Cavs

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cavs as soon as once more had a nationally televised matchup – their second in 5 days – and have been put beneath the microscope in what was a rollercoaster efficiency in a loss to the Sixers in Philadelphia on Wednesday night time.

May this workforce actually take down Boston, Milwaukee or Philadelphia? Are they composed sufficient to deal with the stress of playoff basketball? Or are they only a yr forward of schedule and a pleasant story?

Advisable Cavs tales

Previous to the sport, the ESPN NBA Countdown crew, consisting of Stephen A. Smith and former NBA guards J.J. Redick and Jalen Rose mentioned how the East might play out, together with who might problem perceived entrance runners Boston and Milwaukee.

Whereas Smith and Rose brushed over the Cavs to speak about Philadelphia finishing “the method”, Redick – as he did final Friday, put his a few of his chips in on the quickly maturing Cavs.

“I feel the apparent reply right here is the 76ers, however I’ll play satan’s advocate right here as a result of I feel we’re sleeping a little bit bit on the Cleveland Cavaliers,” Redick mentioned.

“By all metrics, that is an elite workforce in basketball. No. 1 defensive within the league, No. 10 offense and No. 2 web score. The place they’ve struggled is closing out video games, they haven’t been good there. However their core 4, all beneath 26 years outdated. All of them have made an All-Star sport except Evan Mobley. This can be a workforce that in the event that they determine it out come playoff time, they’re going to be very harmful within the Jap Convention.”

Rose summed up the Cavaliers in six phrases:

“The Cleveland Cavaliers are forward of schedule,” Rose mentioned.

Within the final 15 video games, the Cavs have one of the best web score (+9.9) within the NBA. The following two groups behind them are the Milwaukee Bucks (+7.5) and Boston Celtics (+5.3).

Cleveland had arrived in Philadelphia on a seven-game successful streak, their second-longest of the season. That they had the fifth-best document within the NBA (38-22).

The Cavs entered the matchup only one sport behind the 76ers for the third seed. It was a possibility to make up floor.

“This is a chance to indicate that this isn’t a three-team race atop the Easten Convention,” ESPN reporter Tim Bontemps mentioned hours earlier than tipoff.

“We speak in regards to the Celtics, we speak in regards to the Bucks, we clearly speak in regards to the 76ers… if they arrive in right here tonight and beat the 76ers on the street, I feel it sends a message that not solely would you tie Philly within the standings, however you must have a look at them, particularly with Brooklyn dropping Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, as a professional fourth workforce atop the convention which you could anticipate to advance and win a collection.”

The Cavs will deal with Philadelphia as soon as extra on March 15 to resolve who wins the season collection and a possible tiebreaker.

It’s laborious to consider with 4 starters averaging over double figures that offensive manufacturing is a query mark for the Cavs.

However ESPN reporter Zach Lowe is intrigued to see if the Cavs’’firepower can match their league-leading protection. He believes that’s the key to a a lot deeper run.

“The largest query I’ve in regards to the Cavs is can they rating sufficient towards one of the best defenses within the NBA,” Lowe mentioned.

“They’ve one of the best protection within the NBA, that’s legit, that’s not going wherever. However they begin two large males who’re non-shooters and a 3rd wing in Isaac Okoro who’s a shaky shooter and defenses ignore him. Within the final month or so, they’ve began to reply that query. They’re sneakily as much as tenth in factors per possession (1.16).

“In the event that they grasp there, and people two guards Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland proceed to do the spectacular, and Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen proceed to develop and develop and develop, possibly this offense, that seemed prefer it was sort of not prepared for prime time within the playoffs, they’re beginning to seem like they may be able to push these guys tougher than we thought,” Lowe mentioned.

The loss slowed the Cavs’ momentum for now as they rejuvenate through the All-Star break and put together to make their 21-game push to complete off the common season.

“I can be genuinely shocked if we don’t get Boston and Milwaukee within the convention finals,” ESPN’s Tim Legler mentioned on SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt following the Cavs’ loss. “These two groups are head and shoulders above all people else, although Philadelphia is there inside hanging distance.”

For those who or a beloved one has questions and desires to speak to an expert about playing, name the Ohio Drawback Playing Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or the Nationwide Council on Program Playing Helpline (NCPG) at 1-800-522-4700 or go to 1800gambler.web for extra info. 21+ and current in Ohio. Playing downside? Name 1-800-Gambler.