Cleveland Cavaliers: What We Learned from Wednesday's Loss
Dec 14, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) holds the ball as Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen (9) defends at FedExForum. Memphis defeated Cleveland 93-85. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Cavaliers sat all the members of the big three, and they ensuing were destroyed by a Grizzles team that brought Marc Gasol back.
The Cleveland Cavaliers rested Kyrie Irving on Tuesday when they faced the Grizzles at home, and after beating then by 17, Coach Lue decided to rest his big three Wednesday. Resting his big three against a Grizzles team that is well-coached was pretty much asking for a loss.
Nevertheless the Grizzles were able to beat the depleted Cavaliers. They also were excited because they were able to have Marc Gasol return. Gasol fueled the Grizzles with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
The Grizzles ended up winning this game in Memphis by 8, 93-85. Their defense once again halted any flow the Cavaliers had on offense. The Grizzles forced only 12 turnovers, but they held the Cavaliers to just 75 shots which was less than the 81 allowed the night before.
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For the Cavaliers this game was about seeing the young guns get time against a quality team. As eleven players got in the game for Cleveland, the fans were able to see a high dosage of players like Kay Felder, Jordan McRae, and DeAndre Liggins.
With that said, let’s take a look at what our young guns taught us from this game.
Dec 14, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kay Fielder (20) drives to the basket as Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) defends at FedExForum. Memphis defeated Cleveland 93-85. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
The veterans or young guns could not find a flow.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, albeit without the big three, were heckled all night by the Grizzles defense that was rejuvenated after suffer a nasty 17 point loss last night in Cleveland.
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JR Smith, who could have been the Cavaliers savior without the big three, shot just 4-15 and scored just 8 points after a 17 point first half last night. Along with him, Channing Frye was not much help. His 0-4 and 3 rebounds in 23 minutes hurt the Cavaliers flow and proved how crucial LeBron’s playmaking can be.
Along with them, Dunleavy, Thompson, Anderson, and Jefferson were all a combined 7-17 in 81 minutes. The veterans did not play an awful game, but their productivity was subpar if they were expecting to beat a top playoff team in the West.
Overall, the Cavaliers shot just 28-75 from the field which is a dismal 37.3%, and they shot just 9-25 from behind arc which is a mediocre 36%. Along with that, Coach Lue must have been horrified by their 20-31 from the line.
The Cavaliers struggled to put things together without their main pieces and it showed. But, they did have some good signs from tonight.
Dec 14, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Jordan McRae (12) drives against Memphis Grizzlies guard Andrew Harrison (5) in the second half at FedExForum. Memphis defeated Cleveland 93-85. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Give the Young Guns the Minutes
DeAndre Liggins- 3-9 from the field, 10 points, 3 rebounds in 25 minutes
Kay Felder- 4-8 from the field, 20 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists in 23 minutes
Jordan McRae- 3-9 from the field, 9 points in 16 minutes
After Kyrie Irving, these three are the future of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and they need the time to shine. Kay Felder, who was their second round draft pick, has been crucified for his size since they drafted him, but he is subtly changing their minds. His 20 points tonight was one of the only bright sides for the Cavaliers.
Liggins, who said he models his game after Tony Allen, got to matchup with his idol tonight and performed well. Liggins was able to snag two steals, but he didn’t quite outdo Allen who snatched it three times.
McRae, who may have the most potential of the group, failed to get many minutes, and his stats lacked because of it. The former Tennessee star forward has had a rough time transitioning to the NBA, but hopefully the Cavs can give him success.
These three could the future role players of the Cavaliers, and they need more time in these blowout games that the Cavaliers often times find themselves in.
The Cleveland Cavaliers will be back at it on Saturday against the Lakers at the Q. Be ready to see a rejuvenated big three terrorize a young Laker team.
