Live Thread: Hawks @ Cavs

Good evening CtB!

The Cavs welcome the Atlanta Hawks to the shores of Lake Erie for their final In Season Tournament group game. Thanks to some folks in Cavs’ Twitter this is where things stand:

As for what to expect on the court, the Hawks are one of the best offensive teams in the NBA. They are conversely one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA. This is a prime opportunity for the Cavs to get their crappy offense right, and concurrently a strong test for their middling defense. The Hawks are top three in the NBA in offensive rebounding, so the Cavs defensive rebounding, which to this point has been garbage, will be tested. It would behoove the Cavs to attack the glass on offense themselves, given how the Hawks are somehow a worse defensive rebounding team than the Cavs (ranked 26th in the NBA).

SCREENSHOT DUMPS

Sadly Dean Wade will be out again, which is a big blow to the Cavs’ defense. Caris LeVert apparently is a very fickle player, as he is simultaneously both part of the best and worst two man lineups the Cavs run out there. As far as net rating data goes, Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen really need to get their shit together. CavsDan is spending over a quarter billion dollars on these two players, and so far he (and the fans) is not getting his money’s worth. What can Coach JB Bickerstaff do to jump start this team? How about more Donovan Mitchell at the point guard with Caris LeVert at the two guard. As one can plainly see from the five man lineup data, the triumvirate of Donovan Mitchell, Caris LeVert, and Max Strus is an extremely powerful one… it would behoove Bickerstaff use those lineups more liberally if DG and JA keep languishing. Both guys are at game 13 for the season, it’s time to put the big boy pants on and play like the All-Stars they have been.

Tip off is scheduled for 7:30PM Eastern time and will be broadcasted live on Bally Sports Ohio, Go Cavs!