Nov 15, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Up 30-something points in a first half where his team got whistled for exactly three fouls, Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts in the second quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
LeBron James and the Cavaliers set a record by going 9-for-9 on three-point shots in the first quarter
The Hawks got tremendous marks almost across the board Friday, so yesterday’s Hindenburg against the Cavs should be almost the complete opposite. But the Hawks weren’t terrible on offense, and LeBron James and the Cavaliers were built to do precisely what they did Saturday. They will be an interesting lot in the playoffs, but they have built a team around offense, offense, and a little bit of offense. Occasionally, it fires on all cylinders as it did Saturday.
Game grades:
Jeff Teague: B-
(26 MIN | 2-8 FG | 0-0 FT | 2 REB | 3 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 4 TO | 5 PTS | -12)
Teague captained a pretty good offense in the first quarter. Even when the Cavs were on fire, Jeff made good decisions, and the score was 21-19 when he went out for his first-half rest.
Kyle Korver: D
(14 MIN | 0-1 FG | 0-0 FT | 0 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 0 PTS | -28).
Kyle fell asleep defensively on Joe Harris’ buzzer-beating three-pointer that ended the first quarter, a.k.a, the 9-for-9 shot. According to Ohio-based writer Brian Dulik, Mike Budenholzer gave Korver the second half off as a precautionary rest measure. This game was one of the rarest games: Kyle didn’t make a single field goal, let alone a three-point shot.
Thabo Sefolosha: F
(21 MIN | 4-10 FG | 2-2 FT | 5 REB | 2 AST | 2 STL | 1 BLK | 1 TO | 10 PTS | -3).
Sefolosha was the player most responsible for the early momentum built by the Cavaliers. He set the tone for the game by playing under a soft screen and letting LeBron James set up for an easy open three-point shot to start the barrage. Shortly after, he sagged off on defense and gave up another easy — albeit long — three-pointer. He quickly followed that with a lollipop pass that set up James for an easy transition dunk. And the rout was on.
If the grade F- existed, Thabo would have earned it.
I miss DeMarre. Thanks, J.R.!
Addendum:
Paul Millsap: C-
(28 MIN | 7-13 FG | 2-2 FT | 7 REB | 4 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 1 TO | 16 PTS | -9).
Millsap tended to overhelp defensively, when really his focus needed to be stopping and staying with Kevin Love. He did nicely on offense though.
Al Horford: C
(19 MIN | 6-10 FG | 0-0 FT | 4 REB | 2 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 0 TO | 12 PTS | -21).
Good offense, bad defense — as was the case for nearly every Hawk.
Dennis Schroder: C-
(15 MIN | 2-5 FG | 2-2 FT | 3 REB | 4 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 6 PTS | -23)
Dennis got to the rim at will in the first quarter, sliding by Joe Harris and Dion Waiters easily using a blazing first step. Defensively, he moves his feet extremely well in space, but he has to keep an eye out for screens a bit better. The worst part of Schroder’s game was that he let Kyrie have three easy three-pointers to start the second quarter.
Pero Antic: B
It’s kind of sad that Antic is that semi-routinely the Hawks’ best defender on some nights, using his size, strength, and smarts. I would have preferred he get Muscala’s first half minutes, even if the Hawks needed a rim protector who they may not have on their roster.
Shelvin Mack: C
His poke-away steal from Mario Chalmers and the ensuing layup (via assist from Scott) was very enjoyable. Good to see him playing well in a new role.
Mike Scott: C+
(2-8 FG | 1-1 FT | 0 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 5 PTS)
Like Pero, Scott was one of two defenders who didn’t wilt in the first half. That +/- rating of -34 is a cruel albatross earned at the hands of his teammates. Better shooting would be appreciated, though.
Mike Muscala: B
(22 MIN | 5-8 FG | 2-3 FT | 4 REB | 0 AST | 0 STL | 4 BLK | 1 TO | 13 PTS | +5)
Played well in garbage time, which sadly, accounted for more than half of this game.
John Jenkins: B
(21 MIN | 5-10 FG | 1-1 FT | 1 REB | 0 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 12 PTS)
Is alive, played well in garbage time.
Elton Brand: B
(9 MIN | 2-3 FG | 1-2 FT | 2 REB | 2 AST | 1 STL | 1 BLK | 1 TO | 5 PTS | +2)
Ditto.
Kent Bazemore: F
(26 MIN | 2-8 FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 2 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 4 PTS | -10)
Bazemore is supposed to be out there for defense, but his first-half defense was, uh, regrettable. LeBron made him look silly on both passes and shots. Shawn Marion beat him badly for a dunk too, and his crooked jump shot wasn’t an earnest chance for redemption at the other end of the court.
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