Well, the Cleveland Cavaliers survived the slog they have been plowing through since the All-Star break and will have home court advantage in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
The next challenge will be to win a series, maybe two, and get on a run in the post-season.
The Cavs’ first round opponent is not determined as of yet because as of this morning, Orlando, Indiana, and Philadelphia are all tied for fifth in the conference standings, and actually, J.B. Bickerstaff’s crew could wind up in the #2 spot in the East as they sit just a game behind Milwaukee and New York in the standings.
However, Donovan Mitchell will not play today and Darius Garland may not as well. We will see who Charlotte plays, but it looks like it will be kind of like a scrimmage today for the Cavs.
Even though the wine and gold have won the last two games at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse after a disastrous west coast trip, we still aren’t confident in their chances when the playoffs start next weekend.
Wednesday night, we get it. After losing three in a row, it is tough to get back into the win column, and the Cavs were very sluggish against a Memphis team that was kind of using a “G League” roster.
And in Friday’s win, which should have been treated as a playoff game against Indiana, because had Cleveland lost, they would likely not have home court advantage, the Cavs blew a big first half lead, before holding on to win.
THE GOOD THINGS WE SAW
Mitchell is looking healthier. He scored 62 points in the two games, shooting 45% from three point range, and dished out 13 assists.
Evan Mobley looked active. Against Memphis, he was deflecting passes and blocking shots, getting 12 points and 12 rebounds. Friday, he was plaqued with foul trouble, but made 6 of 7 shots, although he did take an ill-advised three late in the game.
Caris LeVert continues to be unsung and really, underappreciated. The Cavs finally seized control of the game when LeVert arrived in the third quarter. He was +13 in that quarter alone. And against Indiana, he scored 16 points, grabbed six boards and dished out five assists.
TROUBLESOME STUFF
In the playoffs, each possession has added importance, and that’s what continues to concern us about Darius Garland. Somehow in Wednesday’s win, he was only charged with three turnovers, watching the game, we would have figured double that number, and against the Pacers, he did make several huge threes down the stretch, but we hold our breath when he has the ball and is pressured defensively.
If Garland is having problems with this in the playoffs, will the coach cut back his minutes? As we all know, the playoffs are a different game.
We understand Bickerstaff doesn’t like playing a lot of guys, and we also know Sam Merrill is banged up right now. However, we also feel in the playoffs, you need players who have been there.
Marcus Morris didn’t play in either of the two games and has been seemingly out of the rotation since the win over Utah. Tristan Thompson has barely played in the last 10 games.
We think the Cavs are going to need them in the post-season. Remember last year, when Danny Green was needed after only playing three games in the regular season due to injury?
Let’s hope Bickerstaff opens his mind to playing more guys in the post-season. If someone like Georges Niang (although we think he will be fine in the playoffs) is struggling, you have to try someone else.
There is a fine line between confidence someone will do the job and it becoming a problem for the good of the team.
As everyone found out last season, the NBA playoffs are different.
Cleveland Sports Perspective 