Cavaliers (15-0) at Celtics (11-3) Game #15 11/19/24

[Roy H.]

Queta is single handily killing the defense in these games. It?s becoming gross to watch. Are we sure he?ll be playable in the playoffs?

That was a good shooting night that saved them. I didn?t expect to miss KP this much already. This was an easy win with him in there.

I?m surprised Joe didn?t try Kornet at all. Queta looked lost on both ends all game. It was really frustrating to watch.

I think Joe is allowing Queta to soak up all the adversities and get over them in real game action. Remember when most of us here couldn?t fathom Joe?s ?let them play through it? approach during his first year as coach? I think that?s what he?s doing to Q in an individual basis, hoping he?d develop to be a real weapon down the stretch.

I wonder about the risk of that.  Are the players going to accept losing games where they're busting their asses to allow Queta on the job training?

It's a potential source of friction.  Lets hope it's all in the past once KP returns.

[Vermont Green]

Nice win, fun watch, but a couple of things concern me.  I always look at TOs and ORebs.  These are kind of possession stats because if you force a turnover or get an OReb, you get an extra possession.  Ultimately, it is points off turnovers and 2nd chance points that really matter, but these tend to be highly correlated.

For this game:

Points off Turnovers:
BOS     8
CLE    20

2nd Chance Points:
BOS    10
CLE     17

That is 19 points conceded due to turnovers and ORebs.  We overcame this by shooting lights out from 3 but this is not sustainable.  We play small much of time so we probably are going to lose the 2nd chance points in general, but there is no reason for us to lose with turnovers and points off turnovers.

[Surferdad]

Queta is single handily killing the defense in these games. It?s becoming gross to watch. Are we sure he?ll be playable in the playoffs?

That was a good shooting night that saved them. I didn?t expect to miss KP this much already. This was an easy win with him in there.

I?m surprised Joe didn?t try Kornet at all. Queta looked lost on both ends all game. It was really frustrating to watch.

I think Joe is allowing Queta to soak up all the adversities and get over them in real game action. Remember when most of us here couldn?t fathom Joe?s ?let them play through it? approach during his first year as coach? I think that?s what he?s doing to Q in an individual basis, hoping he?d develop to be a real weapon down the stretch.

I wonder about the risk of that.  Are the players going to accept losing games where they're busting their asses to allow Queta on the job training?

It's a potential source of friction.  Lets hope it's all in the past once KP returns.

I am actually not sure what Joe is doing. Perhaps it is less about Queta than that he no longer trusts Kornet (or Tillman). Luke is just a terrible defender, smaller guys just fake him out and get to the rim. Plus, he has stone hands and has a weak core so he gets pushed around. I was glad not to see him play in this game.

[Vermont Green]

Queta is single handily killing the defense in these games. It?s becoming gross to watch. Are we sure he?ll be playable in the playoffs?

That was a good shooting night that saved them. I didn?t expect to miss KP this much already. This was an easy win with him in there.

I?m surprised Joe didn?t try Kornet at all. Queta looked lost on both ends all game. It was really frustrating to watch.

I think Joe is allowing Queta to soak up all the adversities and get over them in real game action. Remember when most of us here couldn?t fathom Joe?s ?let them play through it? approach during his first year as coach? I think that?s what he?s doing to Q in an individual basis, hoping he?d develop to be a real weapon down the stretch.

I wonder about the risk of that.  Are the players going to accept losing games where they're busting their asses to allow Queta on the job training?

It's a potential source of friction.  Lets hope it's all in the past once KP returns.

I was puzzled by Kornet getting 0 minutes in the game but I am not so sure that Mazzulla is playing Queta as a way to train him or give him practice.  I think he is playing him because he thinks he can get more out of him than he can get out of Kornet or Tillman.  Queta has generally been better, but he wasn't this game.

Kornet has been nursing an injury, that may be a factor.  But we don't have a whole lot of options.  Tillman has been really bad, Kornet is what he is, but Queta has played well, the team has done well in general with him on the floor.  Teams are catching up with that now.  They are getting better at finding him and exploiting him.  Queta only played 16 min last night but somehow managed to be -15.  Kornet, with all his limitations, will be in the mix going forward, I am sure.

[wdleehi]

Queta is single handily killing the defense in these games. It?s becoming gross to watch. Are we sure he?ll be playable in the playoffs?

That was a good shooting night that saved them. I didn?t expect to miss KP this much already. This was an easy win with him in there.

I?m surprised Joe didn?t try Kornet at all. Queta looked lost on both ends all game. It was really frustrating to watch.

I think Joe is allowing Queta to soak up all the adversities and get over them in real game action. Remember when most of us here couldn?t fathom Joe?s ?let them play through it? approach during his first year as coach? I think that?s what he?s doing to Q in an individual basis, hoping he?d develop to be a real weapon down the stretch.

I wonder about the risk of that.  Are the players going to accept losing games where they're busting their asses to allow Queta on the job training?

It's a potential source of friction.  Lets hope it's all in the past once KP returns.

I was puzzled by Kornet getting 0 minutes in the game but I am not so sure that Mazzulla is playing Queta as a way to train him or give him practice.  I think he is playing him because he thinks he can get more out of him than he can get out of Kornet or Tillman.  Queta has generally been better, but he wasn't this game.

Kornet has been nursing an injury, that may be a factor.  But we don't have a whole lot of options.  Tillman has been really bad, Kornet is what he is, but Queta has played well, the team has done well in general with him on the floor.  Teams are catching up with that now.  They are getting better at finding him and exploiting him.  Queta only played 16 min last night but somehow managed to be -15.  Kornet, with all his limitations, will be in the mix going forward, I am sure.

Has Tillman had much of a chance as the lone big man on the floor?   I seem to remember him being out there when there are two big men.   


I also don't think Kornet switching onto Mitchel was going to go any better.   

[Roy H.]

Queta is single handily killing the defense in these games. It?s becoming gross to watch. Are we sure he?ll be playable in the playoffs?

That was a good shooting night that saved them. I didn?t expect to miss KP this much already. This was an easy win with him in there.

I?m surprised Joe didn?t try Kornet at all. Queta looked lost on both ends all game. It was really frustrating to watch.

I think Joe is allowing Queta to soak up all the adversities and get over them in real game action. Remember when most of us here couldn?t fathom Joe?s ?let them play through it? approach during his first year as coach? I think that?s what he?s doing to Q in an individual basis, hoping he?d develop to be a real weapon down the stretch.

I wonder about the risk of that.  Are the players going to accept losing games where they're busting their asses to allow Queta on the job training?

It's a potential source of friction.  Lets hope it's all in the past once KP returns.

I was puzzled by Kornet getting 0 minutes in the game but I am not so sure that Mazzulla is playing Queta as a way to train him or give him practice.  I think he is playing him because he thinks he can get more out of him than he can get out of Kornet or Tillman.  Queta has generally been better, but he wasn't this game.

Kornet has been nursing an injury, that may be a factor.  But we don't have a whole lot of options.  Tillman has been really bad, Kornet is what he is, but Queta has played well, the team has done well in general with him on the floor.  Teams are catching up with that now.  They are getting better at finding him and exploiting him.  Queta only played 16 min last night but somehow managed to be -15.  Kornet, with all his limitations, will be in the mix going forward, I am sure.

Has Tillman had much of a chance as the lone big man on the floor?   I seem to remember him being out there when there are two big men.   


I also don't think Kornet switching onto Mitchel was going to go any better.

Do you think playing a modified defense involving drop coverage would be effective when Horford isn't in the game?

[Vermont Green]

Queta is single handily killing the defense in these games. It?s becoming gross to watch. Are we sure he?ll be playable in the playoffs?

That was a good shooting night that saved them. I didn?t expect to miss KP this much already. This was an easy win with him in there.

I?m surprised Joe didn?t try Kornet at all. Queta looked lost on both ends all game. It was really frustrating to watch.

I think Joe is allowing Queta to soak up all the adversities and get over them in real game action. Remember when most of us here couldn?t fathom Joe?s ?let them play through it? approach during his first year as coach? I think that?s what he?s doing to Q in an individual basis, hoping he?d develop to be a real weapon down the stretch.

I wonder about the risk of that.  Are the players going to accept losing games where they're busting their asses to allow Queta on the job training?

It's a potential source of friction.  Lets hope it's all in the past once KP returns.

I was puzzled by Kornet getting 0 minutes in the game but I am not so sure that Mazzulla is playing Queta as a way to train him or give him practice.  I think he is playing him because he thinks he can get more out of him than he can get out of Kornet or Tillman.  Queta has generally been better, but he wasn't this game.

Kornet has been nursing an injury, that may be a factor.  But we don't have a whole lot of options.  Tillman has been really bad, Kornet is what he is, but Queta has played well, the team has done well in general with him on the floor.  Teams are catching up with that now.  They are getting better at finding him and exploiting him.  Queta only played 16 min last night but somehow managed to be -15.  Kornet, with all his limitations, will be in the mix going forward, I am sure.

Has Tillman had much of a chance as the lone big man on the floor?   I seem to remember him being out there when there are two big men.   


I also don't think Kornet switching onto Mitchel was going to go any better.

Do you think playing a modified defense involving drop coverage would be effective when Horford isn't in the game?

I think what wdleehi said is right.  They just thought that Queta was a better match up than Kornet for this team due to a better ability to switch and defend.  As to the drop coverage, that is kind of how CLE played it and we killed them from 3.  No easy answers.  And even when we have Porzingis back, this aspect is still a challenge.

I would say that if it is Mitchell or someone that good with the ball, you probably have to double, get the ball out of his hands, and then hope you can rotate well enough to not end up giving someone else an easy look.  CLE passes very well and got a lot of easy buckets by staying ahead of our rotations when we did take this approach.

I don't know the analytics on this, opponent scoring efficiency vs. one defensive approach or the other.  I do think it is better if you don't do the same thing every time.  It is better to mix it up.  If your base D is switching, throw a double team or a drop coverage in from time to time.  Press them full court some times to eat up shot clock so they don't have time to do 4 switches to get to the match up they want.

[celticinorlando]

The key vs the Cavs is figuring out how to keep any big not named Al off Mitchell.

Thought the Cavs in crunch time were the same old Cavs...Mitchell one on one to the basket.

[wdleehi]

Queta is single handily killing the defense in these games. It?s becoming gross to watch. Are we sure he?ll be playable in the playoffs?

That was a good shooting night that saved them. I didn?t expect to miss KP this much already. This was an easy win with him in there.

I?m surprised Joe didn?t try Kornet at all. Queta looked lost on both ends all game. It was really frustrating to watch.

I think Joe is allowing Queta to soak up all the adversities and get over them in real game action. Remember when most of us here couldn?t fathom Joe?s ?let them play through it? approach during his first year as coach? I think that?s what he?s doing to Q in an individual basis, hoping he?d develop to be a real weapon down the stretch.

I wonder about the risk of that.  Are the players going to accept losing games where they're busting their asses to allow Queta on the job training?

It's a potential source of friction.  Lets hope it's all in the past once KP returns.

I was puzzled by Kornet getting 0 minutes in the game but I am not so sure that Mazzulla is playing Queta as a way to train him or give him practice.  I think he is playing him because he thinks he can get more out of him than he can get out of Kornet or Tillman.  Queta has generally been better, but he wasn't this game.

Kornet has been nursing an injury, that may be a factor.  But we don't have a whole lot of options.  Tillman has been really bad, Kornet is what he is, but Queta has played well, the team has done well in general with him on the floor.  Teams are catching up with that now.  They are getting better at finding him and exploiting him.  Queta only played 16 min last night but somehow managed to be -15.  Kornet, with all his limitations, will be in the mix going forward, I am sure.

Has Tillman had much of a chance as the lone big man on the floor?   I seem to remember him being out there when there are two big men.   


I also don't think Kornet switching onto Mitchel was going to go any better.

Do you think playing a modified defense involving drop coverage would be effective when Horford isn't in the game?

I don't think it is as effective with Kornet vs. Horford. 

Also not saying not trying Kornet was correct either.   Just trying to think of reason's why that was the matchup. 

[Donoghus]

I don't see how this Cavs team beats this Celtics team (with or without Porzingis) in a seven game series.  Cavs are a very good team but the Celtics are the better team.

Entertaining game last night but it really shouldn't have been that close.  Celtics had some defensive lapses, especially in the 3rd quarter and Brothers & Co. did every thing in their power to kill momentum shifts and keep the Cavs in the game.

[Phantom255x]

Idk what's up with Tillman but he's just 25 and in theory his skillset is the kind that can replace Horford down the road.

If he can figure it out and find a role then that'd be great.

I love Queta's development similar to how Hauser has developed into a nice role player after 2-3 seasons, but there's still gonna be growing pains with him and he may not be playable in certain matchups. Hopefully Tillman can emerge again as a 8-12 MPG 3rd big. Kornet probably isn't playable in the playoffs either, which we saw last postseason

[Phantom255x]

I don't see how this Cavs team beats this Celtics team (with or without Porzingis) in a seven game series.  Cavs are a very good team but the Celtics are the better team.

Entertaining game last night but it really shouldn't have been that close.  Celtics had some defensive lapses, especially in the 3rd quarter and Brothers & Co. did every thing in their power to kill momentum shifts and keep the Cavs in the game.

Agreed mostly, but I feel Porzingis is gonna be needed this postseason. Horford is a year older and I don't want to have to rely on him for heavy minutes ALL postseason.

Call me crazy but a healthy KP could also be the best big man in the playoffs IF Bucks and Sixers don't make it (Embiid/Giannis). Gives us a huge advantage.

[Donoghus]

This is wild.  PP just passed IT4 and White is going to also pass him soon.  Just goes to show how the game has evolved.

[angryguy77]

Last night I was not the biggest fan of keeping Alqueta in, but looking back I think Joe trying to get him real burn to developed is what he needs.
We need a competent big who can play minutes if KP goes down again and we won't have that unless we improve what we have(I don't think we'll trade).

[mobilija]

Queta is single handily killing the defense in these games. It?s becoming gross to watch. Are we sure he?ll be playable in the playoffs?

That was a good shooting night that saved them. I didn?t expect to miss KP this much already. This was an easy win with him in there.

I?m surprised Joe didn?t try Kornet at all. Queta looked lost on both ends all game. It was really frustrating to watch.

I think Joe is allowing Queta to soak up all the adversities and get over them in real game action. Remember when most of us here couldn?t fathom Joe?s ?let them play through it? approach during his first year as coach? I think that?s what he?s doing to Q in an individual basis, hoping he?d develop to be a real weapon down the stretch.

I wonder about the risk of that.  Are the players going to accept losing games where they're busting their asses to allow Queta on the job training?

It's a potential source of friction.  Lets hope it's all in the past once KP returns.

I was puzzled by Kornet getting 0 minutes in the game but I am not so sure that Mazzulla is playing Queta as a way to train him or give him practice.  I think he is playing him because he thinks he can get more out of him than he can get out of Kornet or Tillman.  Queta has generally been better, but he wasn't this game.

Kornet has been nursing an injury, that may be a factor.  But we don't have a whole lot of options.  Tillman has been really bad, Kornet is what he is, but Queta has played well, the team has done well in general with him on the floor.  Teams are catching up with that now.  They are getting better at finding him and exploiting him.  Queta only played 16 min last night but somehow managed to be -15.  Kornet, with all his limitations, will be in the mix going forward, I am sure.

Has Tillman had much of a chance as the lone big man on the floor?   I seem to remember him being out there when there are two big men.   


I also don't think Kornet switching onto Mitchel was going to go any better.

Do you think playing a modified defense involving drop coverage would be effective when Horford isn't in the game?

I think what wdleehi said is right.  They just thought that Queta was a better match up than Kornet for this team due to a better ability to switch and defend.  As to the drop coverage, that is kind of how CLE played it and we killed them from 3.  No easy answers.  And even when we have Porzingis back, this aspect is still a challenge.

I would say that if it is Mitchell or someone that good with the ball, you probably have to double, get the ball out of his hands, and then hope you can rotate well enough to not end up giving someone else an easy look.  CLE passes very well and got a lot of easy buckets by staying ahead of our rotations when we did take this approach.

I don't know the analytics on this, opponent scoring efficiency vs. one defensive approach or the other. I do think it is better if you don't do the same thing every time.  It is better to mix it up.  If your base D is switching, throw a double team or a drop coverage in from time to time.  Press them full court some times to eat up shot clock so they don't have time to do 4 switches to get to the match up they want.

BOOM!

Play to Play or Game to Game