Cleveland Oh, – The New York Knicks looked at the Cavs team the same as they did six months ago. Like easy work. The Knicks came into Cleveland and beat the Cavs 109-91. The shorthanded Cavs looked shorthanded, but this game was supposed to be a measuring stick. If that was the case, the Cavs have a lot of improving to do.
Now, while the final score is indicative of a horrible game, there were things that happened that were good. There’s a lot of bad, and there is some downright ugly.
The Ugly
The Cavs missed their first 11 shots of the third quarter enroute to a 16-point quarter. The third quarters have been kind to the Cavs this season as they have outscored their opponents in the third quarter in every game thus far this season. But tonight, the Cavs just couldn’t find the range as they shot 26% from three for the game. After scoring 20 points in the first half, Donovan Mitchell scored 6 points the rest of the way.
Photo via Cleveland Cavaliers
The Bad
The defense just wasn’t good enough. But neither was the offense. This was eerily similar to the playoff losses. The Cavs just couldn’t score. Now, maybe you want to attribute that to the fact the Cavs are missing 4 rotation players. Darius Garland hasn’t played since the opener against Brooklyn. Ty Jerome has missed the last 2 games with an ankle sprain. Caris Levert missed tonight with a hamstring injury. Jarrett Allen hasn’t played all year. Four players who could have changed the outcome of the games. Caris is averaging 19.7 points. Darius is an all-star. Allen is an all-star who can help Mobley in the paint. Even Ty Jerome, a newcomer, is the backup point guard, and can score and set guys up. That’s a lot to be missing. It’s not an excuse. The Cavs just didn’t have enough. So, in a way, does this count? Yes, it does because… ya know… this was supposed to be the game that was circled. The Cavs just didn’t get it done.
The Good
There was some positive even in the blowout. The Cavs rookies, Emoni Bates and Craig Porter Jr. played extended minutes. And they played well… considering. Bates finished with 9 points and 6 rebounds. Porter Jr with 10 points and 4 rebounds. While they were in the game, there was a spark. Porter Jr especially has been a welcome surprise for the Cavs. The two-way guard from Wichita St. has shown promise in his limited action. Bates is always a crowd favorite. The wing is a shot maker making his first NBA bucket on a step back corner three. These two were bright spots. Yes, they made mistakes, they’re rookies. But they didn’t back down and they provided relief for the starters. It wasn’t their mistakes that caused the Cavs to lose.
Photo via Cleveland Cavaliers
Overall
Look. This wasn’t what anyone wanted or expected. But it’s hard to judge this game. The players who played, just were outmatched. While there is cause for concern as the Cavs dropped to 1-3 on the season, 0-3 at home, this wasn’t the full roster. And they won’t have their full roster when they go play in New York tomorrow night either. So, while it sucks they lost. Again. To the Knicks. It wasn’t the full team. But boy… this was bad. They will have a chance to redeem themselves tomorrow night as they travel to New York. And maybe they will get Levert back. But if the Cavs don’t give a better effort tomorrow night… it will be more of the same. And fans won’t keep giving the benefit of the doubt.
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