Cavs vs. Clippers Behind the Box Score: Rebounding and defense continue to be Cavs’ winning formula

They say box scores don’t tell the whole story. Behind The Box Score is a new series where from time to time we will attempt to look behind the box score and tell more of the complete story of what happened in the game.

23.7 – Points below the Clippers’ season average the Cavaliers defense held them to in Saturday night’s win. The Clippers attack that is used to flying up and down the court, and is in the top five in the league in scoring  started off the game well, but had the clamps put on them in the second half by the Cavaliers’ defense. The Cavs led the Clippers 50-49 at the half way point before the game was slowed down to the grind it out slug it out affair that was just what Mike Brown wanted. The Clippers managed just 33 points in the second half compared to the 37 the Hawks jumped out to in the first quarter on Friday.

13 – Field goal attempts for Andrew Bynum. In Bynum’s last three games he’s had games of 14, 15, 14, and 13 field goal attempts. Before that stretch the big fella had only attempted double digit field goals  twice on the season. Bynum continues to show flashes of the the form that made him a force back in his Lakers days. Time and again on Saturday Bynum found himself getting a catch deep in the restricted area, allowing for an easy drop step and jump hook for two.

Bynum logged 24 minutes on his way 16 points and 7 rebounds, but was subbed out of the game late in the third quarter and did not return.

17 – The number by which Irving and Thompson outscored Paul and Griffin. Chris Paul dished out 15 assists on the night but struggled shooting , going just 4-16 from the field. Blake Griffin had his difficulties as well, managing only 10 points on 3-12 shooting to go with his 10 rebounds. Griffin’s night got even worse with just over two minutes remaining when he got popped off the ball by an Anderson Varejao shoulder. The play continued on as Griffin lightly shoved Varejao, but in true Andy fashion the Brazilian dramatically went flying to the ground. Griffin then proceeded to shove Jarret Jack on his way to stand over Varejao who laid on the ground with a smile on his face as a gang of Clippers, Cavaliers, and officials tumbled in to the ground in a pile up. The altercation ended with technicals for both Griffin and Jack, and a foul for Varejao.

Griffin’s night of frustration was in part due to the usual antics of Varejao, but also the non stop motor of Tristan Thompson. Thompson finished the game with 20 points and 13 rebounds for his fifth double digit rebound game in his last six.

With Thompson winning his battle against Griffin, Irving followed held serve against Chris Paul. Kyrie laid an egg against Atlanta, being kept off the score sheet for the first time in his career, but started the path back to his old ways on Saturday. Irving jerked, stuttered, and sliced his way to the hoop for a 20 point night, but had 7 turnovers to go with his 6 assists.

15 – The Cav’ rebounding margin over the Clippers. The Cavs continue to find success when beating their opponent to the boards. Tristan Thompson (13 rebounds) and Anderson Varejao (17 rebounds) were relentless all evening long giving fits to the Clippers front court. But it wasn’t just those two, Jarrett Jack pulled down 9 rebounds, and Dion brought down 6 from their guard spots.

57% – The difference in the Cavs winning percentage at home vs. on the road. The Cavs are 6-3 in games at The Q and 1-9 everywhere else. While it’s expected for a young team to play better in their friendly confines, the Jekyll and Hyde act this team has shown this season is hard to wrap one’s head around. The Cavs have a dreadful -13.5 point differential per game on the road compared to their almost even -0.4 point per game differential at home.

2 – For the second year in a row a fan ran onto the court at The Q to plead for a Cleveland superstar to stay home. In the Miami Heat’s visit to the Cleveland last season a fan ran on the court and up to LeBron wearing a shirt that read “Come home 2014”. On Saturday a similar scene occurred as a fan ran on the court wearing a T-shirt that read “Kyrie Don’t Leave!” On the surface this is a funny internet story that is sure to catch fire over the next few days, but reoccurring events like this are giving Clevelanders a bad, and pathetic wrap league wide.

(Photo: Tony Dejak/AP)