Detroit Pistons vs Cleveland Cavaliers 3/1/2024
Game Breakdown
Pistons - 100 - 110 L
Cade, Ivey, Ausar, Stew, Duren
First set of the game is a double drag for Ausar to get an elbow jumper (probably to get downhill but ends up being an elbow jumper)
May not be the play I would choose BUT I don’t hate the idea of Monty empowering his players and trying to get someone like Ausar a look early in the game
Even with my dislike for lineup/rotation decisions, I have liked some of the sets that have been run throughout the season to start games, ATO, etc.
The ATO late 4th down 10 is a nice little action to get Ivey downhill and resulted in a wide open corner C&S 3PA for Cade
The MAIN problem with the 2nd unit right now isn’t even that Monty is playing them all together
It’s that most of these guys are “play finishers” and there isn’t anyone to truly create for them possession after possession…..seems like this would be the PERFECT group for Ivey to do this with…..
Defensive Growth in Game?
1st quarter they rotate off Strus in weakside corner giving a short roll pass out from Allen to Mobley and “one more” to Strus for C&S 3PM
2nd quarter they stay home on Strus in same situation, HELP OFF of Mobley and just force him to take the wing C&S 3PA (missed)
IVEY still settling for 3PAs and it’s starting to drive me crazy
1st Quarter at about the 9:45 mark he catches in the corner and airballs one, it’s not even about the fact he missed (or airballed)...I think he could have attacked the closeout with 14 on the shot clock
2nd Quarter he gets the ball in a VERY similar situation, drives baseline, goes reverse and gets to the FT Line
It’s not that I don’t think he can shoot at all it’s that I think he is elite at pressuring the rim and should be doing it as the first AND second option every time he touches the ball
A lot of the defense has gotten so much better but next year I want to see the off ball awareness improve
Great example chasing Merrill off screens midway through the 1st where he just relaxes for a second and loses him
GOOD on ball defense example is him giving multiple efforts vs Garland and eventually getting the on ball block
Back to back games where he has a crazy quick change of direction dribble move in transition that leaves the defender completely out of position
DUREN footwork on the offensive end can not be given enough credit and attention for it’s improvement and growth, every game he shows it off more and more
Couple nice blocks in the 3rd quarter
CADE growth as a scorer around the rim I think has to come with the attempt with about 5:30 to go in the 1st
Gets downhill (I DON’T question his ability to get to his spots like others) and is met with verticality by Allen, takes the contact but just misses a little short
I know Allen is a GREAT defensive player but for Cade to be elite these are the finishes has to make eventually
Makes one in the 3rd quarter
I wonder if another 5 or so lbs. Of muscle this offseason is the answer to this
Missed about 3 left hand finishes barely short
I actually like the 3PAs he is taking right now in the season
FONTECCHIO continues to do things off the bounce and with his passing that I really like seeing
This isn’t going to be a huge part of his game, obviously, but good to know he can do this stuff when people run him off the 3P line OR if the team needs a bigger role from him in single game samples
Had some bad TOs and that is just straight up something he can not do in his role
GRIMES being asked to do way too much off the bounce to get his FGAs right now
This is part of the problem with this 2nd unit is you don’t have a real creator to get guys shots that they are best at
Defense has been good, just have to give him some time to find his jumper
AUSAR has had a really solid 1st half
I love seeing him take the Garland matchup (and I know he went crazy in the 2nd) but if he can guard these smaller, twitchy guards AND take on bigger wings….that provides unreal defensive value with the versatility
His ground coverage and recovery is just crazy (Strus blocked 3PA at the start of the 4th as an example)
This game is a reminder of how good he can be if he just figures out the corner C&S 3P
STEW being able to switch onto Garland a couple times in the 2nd quarter, stay in front and contest the jump shot (Garland makes 1 ridiculous one) shows the value he can have as a switch big
Feel like this game REALLY showed his all around value….especially if he was your 3rd big
Him attacking Allen (a 5 man) looked the best of any off the dribble move he had all game long
Also had some really nice rim protection of his own
Cavs
Garland, Strus, Okoro, Mobley, Allen
Cavs broadcast legit “talking trash” every time they get a blocked shot is interesting
MOBLEY doing some really nice things off the bounce early in the game
Attacks and kicks to weakside corner for C&S 3PM and then a tough same foot, same hand scoop finish
OKORO with a great start to the game as well
Drive and body finish through Ausar and then C&S 3PM in transition
Feel like he was played well the last few times I have watched him
His 3P% has improved every single season in the NBA thus far
ALLEN rim protection in terms of blocks and verticality is really standing out early in the game
GARLAND looks pretty good running the show, breaking down the defense, has some real wiggle and twitch
Goodness gracious he just goes on a shot making run in the 2nd quarter that is ridiculous
STRUS always finds a way to contribute to the game more than just knocking down shots
“Never gives up on the play”
Can pass a little, get out in transition, go get an OREB, etc.
WADE will be interesting come playoff time, I think he is a guy that can help him…especially if he is making C&S 3P
MERRILL has taken the most charges on the team by more than double
Nice little value add to go along with the floor spacing
PORTER JR. consistently pressuring the lane
Encouraging that Monty staggered Cunningham and Ivey in the second half....please please let this be the new norm