That’s what happened to the Cavs in Game 4 of the first round of the playoffs as they were spanked 112-89 in Orlando Saturday afternoon.
Stories by Terry Pluto Guardians’ fast start, good bullpen, have me talking to myself – Terry Pluto As Browns draft Michael Hall Jr., you can see the influence of Jim Schwartz – Terry Pluto Lesson learned?
Being real about the Cavs’ loss to Orlando – Terry Pluto I keep wondering how the Cavs went from a 60-51 halftime lead to losing the game in the third quarter.
The result wasn’t a Cleveland loss, it was an embarrassment.
Despite what has happened in these two games, it’s not as if Orlando is far more talented than Cleveland.
The Cavs being wiped out so easily in back-to-back games in Orlando in the playoffs points to something disturbing.
The fact that Orlando keeps turning up the defensive intensity to force Mitchell to pass the ball is no surprise.
Any team would do that to the Cavs, at least until Cleveland could counter it.
CLEVELAND, Ohio—They had their will violated. It destroyed their self-confidence. Their focused gaze was replaced by numerous far-off, doubtful looks.
The Cavs suffered a 112-89 thrashing on Saturday afternoon in Game 4 of the first round of the playoffs in Orlando.
The overall result is that this best-of-seven series is level at 2-2. On their home court, both teams emerged victorious in every game.
Terry Pluto’s stories.
Terry Pluto: “Guardians’ strong start and strong bullpen have me talking to myself.”.
as Michael Hall Jr. is drafted by the Browns. the influence of Terry Pluto and Jim Schwartz is evident.
The real Terry Pluto about the Cavs’ loss to Orlando and the lesson that needs to be learned.
How the Cavs lost the game in the third quarter after leading by 60 points at the half is a mystery to me.
It seemed like the Cavaliers were in command of the game. They neglected to mention their tenacious defense. They neglected to consider their rough rebounding. They neglected to acknowledge the effort they put in to grab that nine-point lead at the half.
Their two wins in Cleveland were fueled by those same characteristics.
The Cavs consistently underestimate this youthful Orlando squad. They didn’t seem to think Orlando would win Game 3 at home.
Cleveland did not lose; rather, they were embarrassed. The most crushing playoff loss in the team’s history, it ended in a record-setting 121-83 loss.
And now this.
They had a formula that worked.
Donovan Mitchell scored eighteen points in the first 40 minutes. He made 5 out of 10 field goals and 7 out of 10 free throws with perfection. He set the pace of the game and had five assists.
Evan Mobley had twelve points and Jarrett Allen had sixteen. Within, both of the large men scored frequently. Orlando was harassed by the Cavs into 11 turnovers.
Despite the Cavs’ poor 3-point shooting performance (2 of 7), this is the winning formula.
However, it vanished in the second half as if by magic.
I don’t believe Orlando’s coaching staff made any significant adjustments as a result. All that was happening was that Orlando was raising their defensive game while the Cavs were losing steam.
These games have all been won via sweat, not just talent. Did anyone want to put in more effort?
NOWWHERE IS THE POISE?
The Cavaliers are getting smaller while Orlando is maturing before our very eyes.
It’s not like Orlando is significantly more talented than Cleveland, despite what has transpired in these two games.
I check my notes as I write this. In the third quarter, the Cavs were outscored 37–10. 16–7 was their out-rebounded score. It seemed like they were outhustled on every play. Compared to the Magic’s 56% shooting percentage, Cleveland’s was only 22%.
Losing in Orlando, even if you lose both games, is not shocking at all. The Magic have skill and had the third-best home record in the NBA.
However, to be completely unresponsive…
The last two third quarters saw a combined score of 72-26 against them.
To be outscored in two separate runs in the third quarter, 17-2 and 17-0?
What’s troubling is that the Cavs were destroyed so easily in back-to-back playoff games in Orlando.
When it gets tight, the Cavs’ offensive flow is completely nonexistent. It is not surprising that Orlando is forcing Mitchell to pass the ball by increasing their defensive pressure. That’s what any team would do to the Cavs, until Cleveland had a chance to respond.
They never did in Orlando.
When knocked down, it’s usually a matter of staying together as a team. In this series, the Cavs haven’t proven that. Can that now be altered in Tuesday night’s Game 5 in Cleveland? or otherwise.
