Nervous Cavs Playoff Scribbles: Rebounding? Danny Green? Kevin Love? Evan Mobley? – Terry Pluto
Danny Green #DannyGreen
© John Kuntz/cleveland.com/TNS Cleveland Cavaliers fans react to a three-point score by Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell in the second half, April 15, 2023, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cavs lost Saturday’s opener of the best-of-seven series to the Knicks, 101-97. Game 2 is Tuesday. If you’re a Cavs fans, there are reasons to be nervous … and for hope.
© John Kuntz/cleveland.com/TNS A Cleveland Cavaliers fan holds his rally towel over his mouth on a close finish against the New York Knicks in round one, game one of the NBA playoffs, April 15, 2023, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
The Cavs knew there could be trouble rebounding … but they didn’t think it would be this bad. The surface is New York’s 51-38 advantage on the boards. The Knicks turned 17 offensive rebounds into a 23-12 advantage in “second-chance points.” As Donovan Mitchell admitted, “It’s deflating.”
© John Kuntz/cleveland.com/TNS Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff talks with Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland during a free throw in the first half of round one, game one in NBA playoffs, April 15, 2023, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
The Knicks had a surprising secret on the boards … it was their guards. There was 6-foot-4 Josh Hart with 10 rebounds. Here are the other New York guards and their rebound totals: Quentin Grimes (five), Jalen Brunson (four) and Immanuel Quickley (three).
© John Kuntz/cleveland.com/TNS A Cleveland Cavaliersfan reacts to a score in the first half of round one, game one in NBA playoffs against the New York Knicks, April 15, 2023, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
You know what is “deflating” … New York’s guards combined for 22 rebounds. Cavs guards? Other than Mitchell (five), it was a embarrassment. Darius Garland was on the court for 43 minutes and had zero! That seems like a statistical impossibility. Caris LeVert had one in 18 minutes. Cedi Osman had one in 19 minutes at small forward. Ricky Rubio had two in six minutes. Add up Mitchell, Osman, Garland, LeVert and Rubio and that’s nine rebounds in the 140 minutes on court!
© John Kuntz/cleveland.com/TNS New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson takes a jump shot attempt guarded by Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro in the second half of round one, game one in NBA playoffs, April 15, 2023, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
If the Cavs are going to rebound better … then it has to be a team approach. That’s what New York does. The Cavs can’t expect Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley to do everything. The two big men had 27 of the team’s 38 rebounds.
© John Kuntz/cleveland.com/TNS New York Knicks forward Obi Toppin gets airborne on a break away dunk guarded by Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro in the second half of round one, game one in NBA playoffs, April 15, 2023, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
I hate to say it … but Mobley was given a chance to score inside and he was only 4 of 13. He often went up soft, falling away from the defenders. Know how many free throws Mobley shot? As many as you did watching the game – zero. The Knicks are physical. They will foul you. Time for the 21-year-old to go to the rim strong. He can do it.
© John Kuntz/cleveland.com/TNS Cleveland Cavaliers forward Cedi Osman (L) and New York Knicks guard Josh Hart battle for a loose ball in the second half of round one, game one in NBA playoffs, April 15, 2023, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
More should be expected from ... Garland. He had a strange game. Along with those zero rebounds in 43 minutes, he had only one assist. He committed five turnovers. Garland and the Cavs seemed surprised when the Knicks jumped out and double-teamed him. He made five turnovers, looking rattled at times by the trapping defense.
© John Kuntz/cleveland.com/TNS Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell drives to the basket guarded by New York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley in the first half of round one, game one in NBA playoffs, April 15, 2023, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Yes, first-playoff-game jitters are real … Garland and Mobley proved it. Garland can score more. Mid-range shots and floaters are open for him, assuming New York defends him the same way. Garland was 7 of 13 from the field. Also, Garland faded from the offense when Mitchell tried to win the game in the fourth quarter. The Cavs star nearly did, scoring a dozen points. But Garland can help. He was being left open at times. As for Mobley, just be tougher. He can do it.
© John Kuntz/cleveland.com/TNS New York Knicks forward Obi Toppin gets airborne on a break away dunk guarded by Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro in the second half of round one, game one in NBA playoffs, April 15, 2023, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Don’t be afraid to … double-team Jalen Brunson. The guy is a star. As former Cavs coach Mike Fratello told me for my scribbles setting up the playoffs: “Brunson has been sensational, exactly what every team wants. He’s a true floor general, but he can go and get 48 points as he did against Cleveland – the best defensive team in the NBA.” Brunson had 27 points, but only two assists. He’s looking to score in this series. Get the ball out of his hands! Let’s see what RJ Barrett or Quentin Grimes can do with it.
© John Kuntz/cleveland.com/TNS New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson drives to the basket guarded by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert in the second half of round one, game one in NBA playoffs, April 15, 2023, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Why not give … Danny Green a shot … to shoot. Green is still not totally healed from his offseason ACL surgery. Rubio is going through the same process. The Cavs are worried about both veterans on defense. Rubio looked rough in his six minutes, making two turnovers and missing an easy driving shot. The Cavs gave Dean Wade seven minutes, and were outscored by 14 points with him on the court. It certainly wasn’t all Wade’s fault. But why not give those minutes to Green, see if he can make a few 3-pointers?
© John Kuntz/cleveland.com/TNS New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson takes a running jump shot attempt guarded by Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro in the second half of round one, game one in NBA playoffs, April 15, 2023, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
A tough one for Cavs fans … was Kevin Love scoring 18 points with eight rebounds as his Miami Heat dumped Milwaukee 130-117 in the opening game of that series. Love is a favorite of many Cavs fans, who weren’t thrilled when he was bought out of the rest of his contract. He signed with the Heat, and struggled most of March and April – shooting only 25% on 3-pointers. He played only three minutes in the first play-in game. But Love delivered Sunday.
© John Kuntz/cleveland.com/TNS New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (C) and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (R) battle for a rebound in the second half of round one, game one in NBA playoffs, April 15, 2023, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
What was his problem … as in Caris LeVert shooting 1 of 7 in 18 minutes with a rebound and an assist. On one play, he drove to the rim from the right side. He had a wide open layup. LaVert is right-handed, but he banged the ball off the backboard with the left hand. He is 28 years old. He previously played in nine postseason games, averaging 20 points. He can change Tuesday’s game with a veteran performance instead of looking like a rattled rookie.
© John Kuntz/cleveland.com/TNS New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson drives towards the basket guarded by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland in the second half of round one, game one in NBA playoffs, April 15, 2023, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
And my prediction is … Cavs beat the Knicks, 96-94, in Game 2. Low scoring. Tough defense. Garland bouncing back with a big game.
© John Kuntz/cleveland.com/TNS Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell drives to the basket guarded by New York Knicks forward Julius Randle in the first half of round one, game one in NBA playoffs, April 15, 2023, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Then there was this … the crowd for Game 1 was sensational. If only the Cavs had rebounded with the same energy that the fans brought to the game.
© John Kuntz/cleveland.com/TNS Cleveland Cavaliershead coach J.B. Bickerstaff talks with Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell during a free throws in the second half of round one, game one in NBA playoffs, April 15, 2023, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
– You can find more Terry Pluto columns here.
© John Kuntz/cleveland.com/TNS Film director and actor Spike Lee reacts to a three-point score in the second half, April 15, 2023, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
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© John Kuntz/cleveland.com/TNS Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell drives between the defense of New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (L) and New York Knicks guard RJ Barrett in the first half of round one, game one in NBA playoffs, April 15, 2023, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
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Cleveland Browns defensive End Myles Garrett has from row seat to watch the Cleveland Cavaliers battle the New York Knicks in the first half of round one, game one in NBA playoffs, April 15, 2023, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
© John Kuntz/cleveland.com/TNS