CLEVELAND — Random dribbles from the Cavaliers’ 114-104 home loss to the Rockets on Wednesday.
1. It’s hard to get worked up at this time of year, solely because we’re gonna do this another 66 times. But there are a few things I don’t love about the Cavs after 16 games.
2. For starters, they still seem to be lacking a little in the toughness department. Against a long, physical team such as the Rockets … well, you really need to bring it. You need to attack and show some resistance.
3. The Cavs did those things for some of the game. Just not enough of it.
4. Granted, the Cavs are shorthanded. Darius Garland (toe), Jaylon Tyson (concussion) and of course Max Strus (foot) remain out. Sam Merrill (hand) was also a late scratch. That’s four rotation guys. That’s not nothing.
5. So the rest of the Cavs had to bring their A-game. In the first half, it was closer to their C-minus game. Houston is a force in more ways than one. The Rockets impose their will on you physically and have loads of talent. Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, and Amen Thompson, just to name a few.
6. They are going to try to push you around. You can’t let them. The Cavs knew this, but kind of allowed it, anyway.
7. The result was a 22-point lead for the Rockets in the first half. Donovan Mitchell went just 1-of-7 shooting in the first two quarters. I was actually impressed that he got off seven shots, given that Houston ran two lengthy defenders at him every time he touched it.
8. Without Garland, the Cavs have a hard time scoring when Mitchell isn’t doing it. De’Andre Hunter did his part in that area. Evan Mobley mostly did too (except for the 4-of-10 performance on free throws). Mitchell came alive in the fourth, and the Cavs cut the deficit to a point.
9. Mitchell said he wasn’t exactly surprised that the Rockets tried to take the ball out of his hands with their double-teams. “It was unique. It was different. I don’t think every team has the personnel and size to do that,” he said. “Took us a little bit to adjust and then once we got adjusted, we figured it out, and that’s the biggest thing.”
10. But after the Cavs’ surge, the Rockets got physical again. They worked the ball for good shots. Durant hit those fadeaways from midrange. Sengun wiggled and bullied his way to scores near the basket. And Aaron Holiday, an NBA journeyman, came in and made just about everything he threw toward the hoop.
11. I’m guessing the Cavs weren’t counting on that last part. I’m guessing the Rockets weren’t, either.
12. But when you’re at something less than your best at the start, these are the types of things that can burn you at the end.
13. Anyway, I’m not ready to sell low and trade away the core. Far from it. The Cavs remain one of the most talented teams in the league. I want to see them with Garland for a 20-game stretch before I burn down the house. I think even having Merrill out there would have made a pretty big difference.
14. Mitchell caught fire to finish with 21. Hunter led the way with 25. Mobley scored 18, and two-way man Nae’Qwan Tomlin brought the energy, finishing with 10 points, a monster slam and some determined defense. Dean Wade grabbed seven rebounds and did a nice overall job on both Durant and Sengun.
15. But the Cavs (10-6) need more. They have to play with a little more … well, oomph. I’m not saying anything they don’t already know. On the bright side, again, they have until April to get it figured out. Nobody ever won a title in November.
16. Sengun finished with 28 points and 11 rebounds for the Rockets (10-3). Durant scored 20 and Holiday added 18. Houston crushed the Cavs on the boards by a 51-39 count. Ouch.
17. As is always the case, the Cavs have another game in two nights, also at home. The Pacers came to town, and while they hardly resemble the reigning East champs, they did finally get a win on Wednesday. They’re now 2-13. So, yeah, Cavs fans, it could be a lot worse.
18. At any rate, the Cavs have some things to work on, some things to figure out. What I don’t like is some are the exact things ended their season last year. What I do like is there is lots and lots of time left. This was a loss against a really good team. Pretty soon, the Cavs need to start winning these games.
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Sam any idea what’s up with Larry Nance?We thought he was going to inject that toughness but he rides the pine. Looks like he forgot how to shoot.
AGREED !! & Yes his shooting is lackluster for the time in, & so is Wade, but He does a lot of other pluses on defense & rebounding that Nance seems not to do as much, for now.
Nance; And when he does play,,,,,, 19 minutes–4pts.
The Bench is still left very chopped up & NON- consistent, still playing starter minutes due to the injuries & Darius having to go in & Out, & in & out too doesn’t help. Even Merrill really helps the starters, finally getting his shot back but also got injured & the injuries seem to be killing the whole rotations, AND giving the bench a very bad rap that not necessarily their fault. The bench needs to somehow find a consistency incorporating the third string group.
They ARE trying but so many different bodies flowing in & out is not helping the consistency game to game.