Live Thread: Cavs @ Pacers (or, CtB Trifecta)

Good evening CtB!

The Cavs are in the Crossroads of America as they take on the officially scorching hot Indiana Pacers for a neo-classical Central Division rivarly/nationally televised prime-time showcase for Eastern Conference supremacy. The Pacers just broke the Cavs’ 12 game winning streak in decisive fashion 108-93 in Cleveland Sunday night. Some thoughts between then and tonight’s home and home rematch…

1. The Pacers are legit (Haliburton Ewing Theory?)

For keen NBA observers, Sunday night’s performance from the Pacers was not unexpected. Essentially their come-up has coincided with the health of Andrew Nembhard, the Pacers young and upcoming guard. The Pacers were already a good offense, but it was their defense that sealed the deal in the game holding the Cavs under 100 for the first time this season. And particularly, it was the defense of the Pacers’ bench that dominated the game with Jarace Walker and TJ McConnell absolutely terrorizing the Cavs. If their defense actually becomes a top 10 type of defense, this will not be a team you want to face in the playoffs. Also interesting that Indiana’s defense became otherworldly the moment Tyrese Haliburton went out with injury… coincidence? Absolutely not.

2. Injuries, lack of chemistry for the Cavs’ bench

Part of the reason why the Cavs’ bench uncharacteristically got dominated was because it’s trying to now integrate a lot of guys who haven’t really played together recently. Isaac Okoro, Max Strus, and Sam Merrill haven’t really played with each other at all this season due to various injuries to all three. Now Ty Jerome and Caris LeVert are also coming back down to Earth partly because of bench lineups being out of whack now for a few weeks due to injuries. Adversity has finally struck the Cavs and now we find out what this team is truly made of.

3. It’s a gauntlet until the All-Star break

One of the critiques of the Cavs’ historic start to the season is how weak the beginning of the schedule is. Now until the All-Star break the Cavs will be facing much tougher competition. The only two games against easy competition before the ASB come in February against the Wizards and Raptors. Otherwise, it will be night after night of playoff hungry teams, and contending teams. The Cavs getting on the positive of .500 through this part of the schedule shouldn’t be seen as a failure.

4. Slop distractions?

There’s also the business side of basketball that could be affecting teams in terms of trade rumors and contract speculations. The Cavs are buyers, and the Cavs also have tax and roster building restrictions coming down hard at the end of this season. Will POBO Koby Altman have to make moves? Will he let it ride? A quick conversation with other NBA fans revealed that the Cavs could lose Caris LeVert, Ty Jerome, and Sam Merrill this offseason, which pretty much eliminates all the talent that makes the bench great. Then there’s Brian Windhorst going on Cleveland radio saying that agents are telling him that players want to come to Cleveland. Are the Cavs young-ish guys prepared to handle the distractions of the trade deadline? Stay tuned…

5. Can Spida, Sam I Am, James Dean, and Strus is Loose find their shooting form?

In spite of the Cavs’ historically elite offense this season, this quartet of shooters really haven’t shot all that well relatively speaking. Now their numbers are by no means bad, but two percent better and this offense goes to even another level. There’s still a lot of improvement that could be made, and that should excite fans for the 2nd part of the season.

6. Start grinding

It seems like head coach Kenny Atkinson wants to re-focus the Cavs’ efforts on defense, and it will be interesting to see how that plays out. One thing that could be done is more minutes for Isaac Okoro and fewer for Georges Niang. Also, will Dean Wade maintain his starting lineup presence? Chris Fedor seem to erroneously report that Max Strus was to start last game. But it’s hard to see that happening given the struggles the Cavs have had maintaining a top 10 defense especially without Wade. Frankly, this team also misses Sam Merrill’s ability to chase guys and play hard-nosed defense. We’ll see if there’s any adjustments tonight especially in a home and home series.

Tip off is scheduled for 7:00PM Eastern time and will be broadcasted live nationally on TNT, Go Cavs!