Watch all 61 threes made by the Cavs versus Atlanta thus far (Video)
May 7, 2016C-Cap Recap: Star Power, Activate!
May 9, 2016Cleveland Cavaliers – 100
Atlanta Hawks – 99
Box Score
Cavs win series 4-0
First, before I dive into the nitty-gritty of pick-and-roll defense and the the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers’ scrotal fortitude, I’d be remiss if I didn’t say Happy Mother’s Day to all the badass moms out there. Both literally and figuratively, none of us — from your annoying, wise-cracking narrator to the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team — wouldn’t be here without the moms out there. So take your mother to brunch, buy her some flowers, and, for god’s sake, buy her some courtside tickets to the Eastern Conference Finals. You love her, don’t you?
The Cavaliers gave all the moms of Northeast Ohio a gift for their special day by completing the inevitable series win over the Atlanta Hawks … shortly after ruining all their dinner plans with a 3:30 ET Mother’s Day tipoff time. I would make a joke here about how the Cavs saved mom some work by sweeping the Hawks for them … but I’m above such cheap humor based on outdated gender stereotypes on domestic responsibilities. The Cavs won another series-clinching nail-biter, following up the last-second breath-holding from Game 4 against the Detroit Pistons. Let’s take a gander at the box score and see how.
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77, 50.7% – The Cavaliers added another 16 made three-pointers on Sunday against the Hawks, bringing their grand total in the series to 77. The Cavaliers finished the series against the Hawks with 77 made three-pointers, a mind-boggling number that’s doubly so when you recognize that they made 50.7 percent of their attempts. It was among the most threes ever made in a playoff series, despite only playing four games. I’m certain I’ve never seen anything like it, because no one has ever seen anything like it. The Cavs made an unprecedented volume and percentage of threes in this series against the Hawks.
It’s a little hard to reckon with the fact that the Cavs made 43.2 percent (16-of-37) of their threes on Sunday, and their percentage and per game totals for the series decreased. The Cavs converted only one three-pointer in the fourth quarter, and were able to survive that ugly offensive quarter. At their current rate of 16.8 three-point field goals per game, the Cavaliers could break the Warriors’ record for 240 made threes in the playoffs set last season within seven games — and it took the Warriors 21 games to set that record, a record that broke the previous record by 37 made threes.
In a comparison that defies all logic, the Cavs made 77 of 152 three point attempts in the series (50.7 percent), but made only 81 of 191 of their two point attempts (42.4 percent). The Cavs shot a higher percentage from three-point range than they did less than five feet from the hoop. This makes no sense whatsoever. Three-pointers are layups, up is down, black is white, the earth is flat, cats bark and dogs meow, candy cures cancer and vegetables kill you. The world no longer makes sense.
8 – Kevin Love made eight three-pointers on Sunday, sinking 53.3 percent of his 15 attempts and accounting for 24 of his 27 points. Meanwhile, to continue from last section on how this defies the known order of the universe, Love made only one of his ten two-point field goal attempts.
The dream of what Love could bring to a team with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving seemed to crystallize in the second and third quarters on Sunday, when the Irving/James-Love pick-and-pop combo that many expected to be a Cavs’ staple from Day 1 of the Love Era suddenly appeared with a vengeance. The Hawks were defending Kyrie Irving and LeBron James pick-and-rolls by doubling Irving and James off the screen. With 9:10 remaining in the second quarter, Irving and Love ran a pick-and-pop, with Irving passing to Love out of the double team for a spot-up three. Next possession? Same thing. Next possession? Irving hit a driving layup after the Hawks hesitated on the Love screen.
In the third quarter, James found Love on four straight pick-and-pop plays that resulted in made Love jumpers, often with Irving and Love crossing in front of James together. During that time, the Cavs went from down three points to up four, never to totally relinquish control of the game again. It looked easy. One could lambast the Hawks (and probably should), but the alternative is to zealously shadow Love, giving Irving and James more freedom to attack the hoop. The second and third quarters put out some great film to keep opposing coaches up at night.
So, to reiterate, Kevin Love — nominal power forward and former league leader in rebounds — made eight three-pointers and shot 10 percent inside the arc on Sunday. My head hurts. I think I need to go lie down.
8 – This is a different “8.” While netting eight threes on Sunday, Kevin Love was also in the process of securing his eighth double-double of the postseason, meaning that Love has scored and rebounded in double-figures in every game of the playoffs. Only three other players (Russell Westbrook, Hassan Whiteside, Jonas Valanciunas) have six double-doubles. Love’s versatility as a shooter and rebounding big man has added another dimension to the Cavs on both sides of the ball in the playoffs. As an added bonus, Love’s been aggressively blitzing the pick-and-roll when the man he defends sets a screen, cutting off the guard receiving the screen, and he’s been serviceable in one-on-one defense as well. Kevin Love has never lost a playoff game. Growl like a bear, Kevin!
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14 – The Cavaliers added another demoralizing 14 offensive rebounds on Sunday, finishing the series with a nutty 54 offensive rebounds. LeBron James led the way with five offensive boards, Tristan Thompson pitched in with his standard, infuriating contribution of four offensive rebounds, and Love and Iman Shumpert added another three and two, respectively. It seemed that every great 24 seconds of Hawks defense would end in a Cavs offensive rebound, each one slowly eroding their will to continue shooing Cavaliers off the perimeter. The Cavs’ offensive glasswork culminated in a 54-38 series edge in offensive rebounds, a 183-158 edge in total rebounds, and a 57-47 edge in second chance points. Given the way the Cavs were strokin’ it from deep in the series, the Hawks needed to win the battle on the offensive glass to have a fighter’s chance in the series.
21, 10, 9 – LeBron James was one assist shy of a triple-double, as what passes for a spectacular effort from nearly anyone else in the NBA is just another day at the office for James. James looked uncomfortable and slightly askew all game, a suspicion that would seem to be verified by his six turnovers, 10-of-23 (43.5 percent) shooting, and relieved post-game interview with ESPN’s Lisa Salters. He also slipped and fell a handful of times, each time as uncharacteristic and unexpected as Superman stubbing his toe.
For all of the wild play, James still controlled the fourth quarter (albeit ungracefully and with a terrible last-possession prayer of a three-pointer that gave the Hawks a chance to win), attacked on the fast break, used his passing to find open shooters, hit some killer step-back jumpers, and stepped up on defense when needed. On the last possession of the game, trailing one, Hawks guard Dennis Schroeder dribbled toward the cup looking to conclude a hot streak (he had 13 points in the quarter) with a game-winning layup. Tristan Thompson cut him off, causing Schroeder to spin to look for a teammate or a better angle at a shot. James swooped in and grabbed the ball, forcing a jump ball with less than three seconds remaining in the game. The Hawks were unable to generate a good shot off the jump ball, ending the series.
LeBron James was definitely uneven in the last two games of the series. But he’s still the only person on earth who can play “okay” and put up a 21/10/9 in an NBA playoff game. Even if he didn’t have his cape in Games 3 and 4, the Cavs were able to win when James wore his overalls, and that’s an encouraging sign.
21 & 8 – Irving concluded a fantastic series with a 21-point, eight-assist afternoon in Atlanta. He also led the team with 42 minutes. Though the Cavs need more from Irving in the fourth quarter (only two points), his dazzling handles and quick jumper got the Cavs a few crucial buckets when he attacked mismatches on the switch — adding two highlight reel moments with a killer step-back crossover J against Al Horford, and an impossible finish off the backboard from the baseline in which he switched hands in midair to put enough English on the ball to pass a college composition course.
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4 – Given how well J.R. Smith has been playing in the playoffs, can we this man more than four shots in a series-clincing game? The Cavs need to keep Smith fresh, and it’s hard to go in the gym and simulate turnaround fadeaway three-pointers with a defender putting his hand in your face, another grabbing your jersey, and a fan screaming f-bombs at you from three feet away. Smith played dareIsay excellent defense throughout the series, primarily on Kyle Korver.
50 – The Cavs allowed 50 points in the paint on Sunday, scoring only 26 points of their own in the colored rectangle. In the series, the Hawks outscored the Cavs 41.0 to 28.0 per game in the paint. I’m not going to harass the Cavs too much for their defense in the series (a defensive rating of 105.9 isn’t great), as I think the Hawks deserve some credit for executing at a high level on offense. But the Cavs need to lessen the disparity in the paint: playing better individual defense inside, preventing dribble penetration, posting up more when the threes inevitably start going in at a slower rate, and converting tough shots in the lane.
2 – Paul Millsap scored only two points (0-of-4) in the second half on Sunday, after dominating the Cavs for 17 in the first half. So, for all the paint woes described above, the cadre of defenders they sent at Millsap in the second half successfully slowed down Paul and the Hawks.
11-0, 12-0 – The Cavs have now won 11 straight games against the Hawks, including the 2015 Eastern Conference Finals and every game the two teams played this season. The Cavs have also won all 12 playoff games they’ve ever played against the Hawks, sweeping Atlanta in 2009, 2015, and 2016. Someone keep an eye on Atlanta head coach Mike Budenholzer, because I’m afraid this ends with him clutching his knees and rocking back in forth on a cot in a room with padded walls muttering, “… so many threes, SO MANY THREES …” repeatedly with a crazed look in his eye. I haven’t asked anyone from Atlanta their opinion on the Cavaliers, but I suspect it’s unfavorable. No mercy will be shown — this is all payback for the 1995 World Series.
0 – The Cavs are now 8-0 in the playoffs, the only undefeated team remaining. They’ll have at least six days off, depending on what happens in the Toronto-Miami series. As I said at the end of the Pistons series, any series that ends victorious and without any Cavalier players in a body bag is a success. But you also have to admire how the Cavs have taken care of business — refusing to see a double-digit lead on the road and punt to the next game. The effort has been superb, and it’s made these games that much more fun to watch. Before bed tonight, make sure to say your prayers that Toronto will advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, because a series against the Miami Heat is dripping in dark matter that could envelope and destroy the city of Cleveland. (Of course, do so after Game of Thrones.)
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31 Comments
This had the feel of an important milestone game for the Cavs. The Hawks played desperately hard, but the Cavs seemed throughout to simultaneously match intensity and stay calm. Shumpert reappeared, and affected the game much like last year.
I thought LeBron was magnificent and disagree that he was askew, Kyle. What you maybe see as lack of previous dominance I see as a bartender perfectly mixing the talent on his team. His facilitating was off the charts even when his shots were off. I don’t think the Hawks bothered him at all; sometimes he misses shots. He’s playing like a guy who can force the game into what ever shape he wants but is content to help every teammate shine first. Yes, that last shot was bad but c’mon, that was one decision of dozens he made in the last 2 minutes that helped win a squeaker.
Which brings me to Lue. Pretty obvious the team responds to him but but he’s also now looking as comfortable in-game as an old vet. Hate to admit it – Griffin was right. LeBron played only 37 minutes and was fully charged for the end. I no longer worry Spoelstra or others will have a significant advantage. Unlike last year, everyone seems to know what they’re doing on both ends, what kind of effort to bring and how playoff games ebb and flow. Everyone, including the coach, is making this look like old hat. Cavs may not bring home a trophy, but it’s going to take a lot to knock them out.
Meanwhile the other East series is likely going 6 or 7 and the West teams beat up on each other as well. Couldn’t have asked for a better postseason so far.
also…..the one 2-point FG that Love made was a very long 2.
I like what Lue is doing rotation wise in the 4th quarter. He leaves Kyrie in with Frye and Thompson to begin the 4th, then brings in a well rested Lebron around 8 to finish the game. Kyrie just has to hold serve, wear out the opposing starters, and set Lebron up to come deliver the finishing blows with fresh legs.
The Hawks did a killer job of keeping the Cavs out of the paint. Also, I think they got away with a handful of fouls that may have been called at home, but whatever. Kudos to them for their intense defense.
Besides having the worst haircut in the history of ever, Dennis Schroder played really well.
Remember when we were worried that having an inexperienced Lue would give us an easy excuse for playing poorly or even getting knocked out of the playoffs early? Yeah, neither do I…
Seriously though, I don’t know if any head coach has ever won his first 8 playoff games, let alone with only half a season of preparation. And while I realize he’s not responsible for the actual execution, I have to believe he realizes early who has the hot hand and knows to just ride it for that game.
We’ve had the JR game, the Channing Frye game, multiple Love and Irving games…and we haven’t actually seen a *complete* Lebron domination game…yet. It’s been a fun ride so far, and I can’t wait to see how far it goes.
Lebron covered Milsap in the 2nd half, especially most of the 4th and Paul backed down like the fake tough guy we know him to be. The end.
If the Cavs win it this year rookie head coaches who are ex-players will have won trophies in consecutive years. And the heads of the old guard coaching fraternity will explode. And owners might be even more willing to ax a coach who might just need more time.
I’m not sure this would be worse than the Randy Wittmans and Mike Browns and anyone named Bickerstaff being default hires just because.
Maybe it’s all the scar tissue built up over the decades, but this three-for-all is a little unsettling to me. When they stop falling — and they will — you better know how to play the other game of basketball. As Kyle mentioned, Love was 1 for 10 from inside the arc yesterday. One. For. Ten.
The three is a fickle mistress. Let’s not leave our family and quit our steady job in order to move in with her.
Without Dennis Schroder, I think they would have been completely blown out in every game, not just one. He was, without a doubt, their MVP of the series.
Well, they shot so many in part because that’s what the Hawks’ defense dictated. As Hawks players kept saying about Love, “He did what we dared him to do.” They picked their poison and clogged the lane. Except for J.R., those 3s were wide, wide open. If the Cavs weren’t quite so hot they still would have won the series in 5.
woops, should have seen this comment before I responded to Mr. C.
Umlaut is only 22 and if he can develop a reliable jumper and grow up a little he could be a great player in the league. Hawks will have a tough decision on whether to lock him up and deal Teague or vice versa. They won’t be able to keep both.
The prospect of facing the Heat in the ECF terrifies me. On paper, the Cavs are the superior squad. But I genuinely believe that team and several of those players own real estate in LeBron’s head and heart. The pressure will be far more intense than that of having to eliminate Drake’s current favorite sports team.
On one hand I worry about almost losing (LOL) but then remember that avoiding a game 5 is a major accomplishment.
Yeah, but that’s the Hawks. We’re going to need a better ground game when we get to June.
(Man, the hack metaphors are flowing today like threebees from Channing Frye!)
ATL should jettison Jeff Teague and build around Shroder and Milsap and tweak some pieces. I won’t understand settling on Bazemore when they let Carroll go (although Carroll kind of hit his peak his last year and played big in a contract year).
For as together they play, Bazemore, Scott, Teague – they all seem kinda weakminded and soft. Not much dog in them. I’ll enjoy knocking them out in round 2 in years to come.
Al Horford’s legs are gone. I’d avoid him in UFA if I was the teams with cap room.
I get that, but let’s look at how it plays out – every team in the NBA does the same thing. If they have a PG or somebody like Wade, they;ll run multiple high balls screens to let Wade or Dragic drive, preferably on Kyrie.
We know what’s coming, they know what’s coming. You have Love-Smith – Tristan-Shump-Delly vs Johnson-Green-Whiteside (??) and more slouches.
I’d like to see Cavs make these high possession games.
Let’s pretend we’re normal fans with normal psyches. Whiteside is now out with a sprained MCL, which means: 1) Even if/when he comes back he’ll be limited and 2) Wade will get beat up trying to will them back from a 2-1 deficit. The Cavs are healthy and peaking right now, and about to get more crucial time off to heal. This is a perfect scenario for LeBron and pals to drive a stake deep into Pat Riley’s tiny, grey heart.
ok, fine. The Cavs aren’t prepared. Two of the best rim finishers in the game have lost their mojo. Maybe they never had it, it was all a ruse to break our hearts again.
Doubt my doubt if you will, but battered-fan syndrome makes me skittish.
The Cavs were running Frye-Love-Lebron-Kyrie-Smith out there. Very few times in NBA history has a team ran that many capable shooters on the court at one time. You need to keep 1 player out there to help vs a Lebron or Kyrie drive. It’s just against habit for a center to be forced to play that far outside.
Agreed. I was surprised to learn that this was only his 3rd year.
Whiteside’s injury makes me less scared of this match up. And Wade is only good like every other game these days. Especially if Toronto takes them to 7.
I think the Raptors series would be over in 5 and Cavs would beat Miami in 6. They will be a tough team.
Don’t overlook Griffin’s contribution to all of this. He not only had the guts to fire Blatt and replace him with Lue, he made the trade that brought us Fry. Without Fry, we lose game 3. We now have numerous lineups that can surround Kyrie & Lebron with great shooters. This makes us very hard to defend. It is a pick your poison situation. I agree that there will be nights when the shots are not falling, and then we will have to attack the hoop more than ever. Until then, we can save the wear and tear on our 2 attackers.
I especially like using Fry at the 5, which brings their big guy out of the middle. This creates so many advantages for us. No guarantees, but if we can stay healthy, we have as good a chance as any team of winning the title. I also think Lebron is saving himself as much as possible for the time when we need him to take over. There will be a game from here on in where he needs to go for 30+.
Agreed. Jonas hurt for Toronto as well. I hope TOR/MIA goes at least 6.
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Frye is taking all of Mozgov’s minutes, which is fine by me. Maybe Moz’s suckitude was the reason they stumbled on this Lineup of Death strategy. Once they got by Andre Drummond there’s no big men on the eastern conference horizon to punish them inside for playing small.
Good luck keeping Whiteside on the floor (even if he is healthy) with Frye or Love at the 5. Dragic can’t guard Kyrie, the Heat can’t keep pace with the Cavs, and Nobody on that team can keep Lebron/Love/Thompson off the glass. I am having a hard time seeing a scenario where this isn’t over in 5 tops.
well, it’s pretty recent history: see the Warriors’ “Lineup of Death” where they pull Bogut, put Draymond at “center,” and almost everyone on the floor can hit jumpers. It’s hard to get enough players who can execute it, but that’s a tribute to the two GMs and generous team ownership.
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