The Cleveland Cavaliers completed their preseason with a whimper, as they fell to the Orlando Magic 132-116 in a recreation that wasn’t as close as the closing rating would point out.
Three stars of the recreation
First star: Franz Wagner
20 factors, 8 assists, 4 rebounds
Advertisement
The Magic have expert items, they just do not match collectively. That modifications when Wagner is in a position to create for others as simply as he did on Tuesday.
Orlando’s offense makes sense when Wagner is attacking downhill, getting to the line, and kicking out to shooters. This was the offensive method new head coach Sean Sweeney desires to see from his group going ahead.
Second star: Paolo Banchero
24 factors, 3 assists, 8 rebounds
The Cavs did not have an reply for Banchero inside. He went 7-for-8 in the restricted space and 8-for-10 in the paint general.
This was a stark distinction to what we saw Sunday. Then, Cleveland’s protection did a good job of containing Banchero by principally making him a bounce shooter as he went 1-for-10 from the area that recreation. That method was lost fully in this matchup in what was an general terrible defensive outing for the Cavs.
Advertisement
Third star: Meleek Thomas
16 factors, 0 assists, 3 rebounds
Thomas was the lone Cavalier standout in this recreation. He made the most of his alternative in the fourth quarter by placing up 14 of his 16 factors then.
It’s value pointing out that Thomas’s scoring hasn’t precisely translated to an off-ball function. Whether or not he can show these same abilities taking part in away from the ball could decide the rookie’s influence this season. That said, the flashes you see when you put the ball in his arms are extremely encouraging.
Dud of the recreation
Evan Mobley
14 factors, 5 rebounds, 0 assists
This wasn’t an objectively dangerous recreation, but it was the continuation of an underwhelming preseason for Mobley. The Cavs have talked about wanting to get him comfy in the offense. He hasn’t regarded that approach, as this exhibiting was on the heels of a 3-for-10 taking pictures efficiency on Sunday.
Advertisement
You don’t desire to make too much of preseason, but there hasn’t been much from these three video games that would make you believe a drastic leap is coming.
Cavalier who deserves a shoutout
Jaylon Tyson
12 factors, 3 rebounds, 1 help
Tyson continues to showcase the well-rounded recreation he teased at instances last season. He seems much more comfy creating with the ball in his arms. That pairs effectively with a strong three-point shot and the constant power he performs with.
Play of the recreation
Kenny Atkinson has talked about utilizing Mario Hezonja in the post when he has a mismatch. This exhibits how doing so can lead to an simple basket.
Advertisement
Here, Hezonja gets a mismatch on him, backs his man in the post, and then forces Goga Bitadze to step up to help. That help protection gave Jarrett Allen a runway to get into the lane and draw a foul.
Efficient scoring typically comes down to whether you can create and exploit mismatches. Plays like this show how Hezonja can do that.
Support us and rep the Browns with Homage!
Anything purchased from the hyperlinks helps support Fear the Sword. You can buy the Browns throwback shirt HERE. You can also store all of Homage’s Cleveland gear HERE.
Quote of the recreation
“We got to have a first line of attack that’s a little stronger.” – Assistant coach Mike Gerrity
Defense begins at the level of attack. You can’t defend the rim if the guards are constantly getting blown by on the perimeter. That forces you into rotation, opens up driving angles off ball, and leaves you weak to three-pointers.
Advertisement
This was a dangerous recreation all around, but the purpose this got out of hand was due to a lack of perimeter protection.
Stat of the day
This quantity represents how poorly Cleveland performed on that finish. You do not give up that high of a half-court offensive ranking without struggling to include the ball. When you can’t include the ball, the offense can frequently get simple seems just by making one or two passes.
It’s just preseason, but Cleveland’s protection has left a lot to be desired in three exhibition video games after setting the purpose of being a top-five protection.
What this recreation will be remembered for Meleek Thomas’s fourth-quarter breakout
You don’t desire to get carried away by a garbage-time preseason efficiency. Yet, the Cavs have to be happy with what they’ve seen from Thomas in these three exhibition video games.
Advertisement
This sturdy on-ball scoring outing does not imply that Thomas will have a place in the rotation when the season begins, but at the same time, the other guards in the depth chart have not precisely proven that they’re more deserving of those minutes either. If he does get a shot in the opening evening rotation, we can level back to the close of this recreation as to why.
Source hyperlink
