What everyone foresaw a long time ago has now happened. And that just speaks extraordinarily well for the Cavs., which have finally entered into crisis after many people said so and even wished so. The JB Bickerstaff team has had an extraordinary season, in which it is the funniest team, the most beautiful story and the revolution that the fans have best received. Except for that small group that, for the sake of being right, said something was going to happen that ultimately has. The Ohio team has 5 losses in the last 6 games, its worst streak of the coursehas dropped to the fifth position in the Eastern Conference and has problems in attack and defense without anything or anyone being, or seeming, capable of reacting firmly.
It could be something temporary or a big downturn that destroys the Cavaliers’ chances of getting out of any round in the playoffs. And, even if that happened, it would not tarnish the great season we have seen from the Ohio team. One way or another, the Cavs have to get over this rut and start looking for solutions. Not desperately, but with a necessary alacrity. They are tied with the Celtics, sixth, and have the Raptors 1.5 games away and the Nets, a team that can hit the gas at any time, in eighth place. It would be a great injustice, you can’t see it any other way, for the Cavs to have to play for the play-in after such a season. With 19 games to go, there is little room for those who come from behind. But the Raptors, and this is obvious, are very close to overtaking them in the standings.
Against the Hornets, the Cavs received 119 points after conceding 127 from the Timberwolves, 106 from some sad Pistons, 124 from the Hawks or 103 from the Sixers in this streak. A questionable defense in a streak in which they have also had problems in attack: the 93 points they scored against the aforementioned Sixers or the 103, very few, with which they could not overcome Detroit, is a good example of this. In the match against Charlotte they have barely stayed at 98, a very poor figure in an unequivocal beating, in which they have failed 21 of the 31 triples attempted, they have lost 14 balls and they have stayed at 18 pyrrhic points both in the second and in the last quarter. Also surpassed in rebounds (45 to 37) and in assists (32 to 21), the Ohioans have been in tow all the timethey were already losing 64-49 at the break and generating many doubts while, in the third period, Bickerstaff was sent off for angrily protesting a foul that the referees pointed out to Cedi Osman.
Little else can be pointed out. The calm that Ricky Rubio brought is conspicuous by his absence, in addition to his wisdom, and the injuries of Rajon Rondo and Caris LeVert (and the already known Collin Sexton) do not help. At the moment, Kevin Love’s magic has gone (7 points against the Hornets), KJarret Allen has gone 18+11 and Darius Garland has been the best on his team, with 33+3+4. But Evan Mobley hasn’t worked out and the Hornets, still without Gordon Hayward, have had Terry Rozier as a great hero (29 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists) and the debut of Isaiah Thomas, who went to 10 points in his first victory this season, after losing all the games he played with the Lakers and the only one in which he wore the Mavericks jersey. The curiosity of a dark night for some Cavaliers who need to change course. And as soon as possible.
ORLANDO MAGIC 114 – 122 INDIANA PACERS (OT)
Victory for Rick Carlisle’s Pacers, those who look to the future and who emerged winners from a market in which they were not protagonists, but gained in talent. The duel between losing teams ended with 21 points from Tyrse Haliburton, who added 6 assists to his good game. In addition, Isaiah Jackson finished with 16 points and an immaculate 8 of 8 shooting from the field and Malcolm Brogdon was the best of the game with 31 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists. In the Magic, who forced the extension thanks to an offensive rebound with a subsequent basket by Mo Bamba (19 + 12), Franz Wagner (28+6) and Wendell Carter Jr. (13+18+5) stood out. It is the third victory in 5 games for a Pacers looking to lay the foundation for the coming years. The Magic, meanwhile, see a two-game winning streak snapped and fall again.
