Random dribbles from the Cavaliers’ 106-93 home defeat to the Boston Celtics in Game 3 of their second-round playoff series. …
1. The Cavaliers had a few opportunities to make a game of it and make the Celtics sweat. However, the margin of error is really narrow here. A single missed shot, faulty pass, or defensive slip can have disastrous consequences.
2. Boston is extremely good. You already knew that. As I’ve already stated, the Cavs must play a near-perfect game and pray that the Celtics wet the bed to have a legitimate chance. That’s what happened in Game Two.
3. Game three was a different story. The Cavs weren’t bad; the Celtics were simply fantastic. We all knew Boston All-Star forward Jayson Tatum would have a big night. Tatum dominated Saturday night in Cleveland, finishing with 33 points and 13 rebounds.
4. Meanwhile, the Cavs are back to being Donovan Mitchell and not nearly enough of the other players. Mitchell scored 33 points, and some of the methods he did it defied sense.
5. Twisting in the lane around defenders, running off one leg in the key, pulling up 3-pointers in traffic, and driving layups despite being pushed, scratched, or clawed. It’s pretty amazing what one individual can accomplish.
5. But these are the Celtics and one man ain’t gonna cut it.
6. Sorry, but I can’t be too hard on the Cavaliers. The Celtics just delivered one of their best performances of the year. It’s difficult for anyone to match. I’m not sure if the Cavs are designed to overcome it. Nobody expects them to be, however.
7. At one point in the second half, the Celtics lead by 23 points. However, the Cavaliers rallied, led by Mitchell, to narrow the deficit to 88-79 with 8:05 remaining. Mitchell missed a stepback three. Then Celtics guard Payton Pritchard nailed a 33-footer on the other end.
8. I realized it was probably over. The Cavaliers had an opportunity to cut the lead to six. Instead, they went back down by 12.
9. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff stated, “We did a good job of sharing and creating open looks.” “We just didn’t make enough.”
10. He can say it again, as the Cavaliers’ starting forwards shot only 3-for-15. That would be Isaac Okoro (1 of 7) and Max Strus (2 of 8). You’re not going to defeat Tatum and Jaylen Brown (28 points, 13-of-17 shooting) that way.
11. Darius Garland (15 points, six assists) was mostly ineffective in the first half, but he came alive in the second and had an impact. The Cavs had hoped Garland would be the Brown to Mitchell’s Tatum, or vice versa, but that hasn’t occurred in this series, or even the playoffs.
12. Evan Mobley (17 points, 11 rebounds) was solid, perhaps better than solid. However, it was far from as dominant as Game 2. That said, I’m not sure what else he could have done. Jarrett Allen’s (ribs) continued absence is really hurting the Cavs, and it’s obviously not his fault. It notably makes things difficult for Mobley.
13. It also has a negative impact on the Cavaliers’ rebounding. This series has been dictated by rebounding, as Boston dominated in Game 3 by a 44-35 score.
14. Yes, Dean Wade has back and looks great. Perhaps his presence will provide an even more significant boost in Game 4. Essentially, the Cavaliers must find something, anything, to motivate them if they are to pull off the upset.
15. Mitchell on the loss: “Give them credit; they showed up with a sense of urgency. (However, a lot of it was self-induced. There were several things we could have done better. Small details and runs can change the game. That’s the frustrating thing.”
16. That’s it — the minor details. The Cavaliers have to outperform the Celtics in those areas. Loose balls, screens, challenging shots, etc. They tried it once. Can they repeat it three more times?
17. More Bickerstaff: “You have to keep attacking, and attack physically. We’re not getting whistles, so we have to play through it.”
18. Caris LeVert scored 15 points and played with tenacity, as usual. Wade added five. That was it for bench scoring.
19. The Cavs ran the Celtics off the 3-point line, albeit not as well as in Game 2. “It was the timing” of when the Cavs slipped up that cost them, Mitchell explained.
20. For the record, although I haven’t spent much time in the postgame locker room, Mitchell appeared to be as disheartened as I’ve ever seen him. It didn’t appear to be directed at anyone, but rather a look of concern, as if he was asking, “What else can I do?”
21. This is a question for all Cavaliers. They don’t need a miracle, but they do need to stay focused, clean things up, and think that anything is possible as long as they receive the next one. It is once again must-win time. Game 4 is scheduled for Monday in Cleveland.
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