On February 12, Beijing time, the Cavaliers defeated the Pacers 120-113 to usher in a four-game winning streak. It should be pointed out in particular that the team once fell behind 21 points 28-49, and finally was able to reverse, the defense is the cornerstone, the new signings broke out, the protection of the three old benches, and the result of the three points of joint action.
The Cavaliers staged a 21-point comeback
The newly refurbished Pacers made a fantastic start, With Haliburton scoring 12 points on 5-of-5 shooting in the quarter, Hield contributing five assists in addition to six points with two three-pointers; Dujarte having 8 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists, and the Pacers' 10-of-13 three-pointers blasting down 47 points, so that even though the Cavaliers played well, they still trailed by 19 points at 28-47, and even at the beginning of the second quarter, they were 21 points behind 28-49.
First, defense.
The Cavaliers' defensive efficiency this season is 105 second in the league, and the team has continued to improve its defensive intensity since the second quarter, and the most typical scene is as follows:
Cavaliers defend pacers for 24 seconds violation
Allen and Mowbury joined forces to defend the paint area, the Pacers want to easily score on the inside line is impossible, Mobley 3 blocks, the whole team 7 blocks to establish a no-fly zone; LeVert, Rondo and O'Corro surrounded the three-point line, Mobley can also change defenses to the three-point line at any time, so as shown in the picture, the Cavaliers three times to prevent the Pacers' 24-second offensive offense, little by little, the Pacers' feel is frozen, reflected in the data side:
The Pacers shot 69.2% + 76.9% in the first quarter and scored 48 points; 50% + 33% in the second quarter to score 27 points; 35% + 50% in the third quarter to score 22 points; the final quarter dropped to 31.8% + 18.2% to score only 17 points.
Second, the LeVert outbreak.
In this game, Bixtaugh took a rotational break from Garland, plus Sexton, who had been reimbursed for the season, and Malcanning, who was still recuperating, the team's outside offensive firepower was constrained, but the team brought in LeVert, who began to take on the role of outside leader.
LeVert broke through to the layup
In the first game, LeVert only had 11 points, but today he faced the team into a 21-point dilemma, he began to carry the team to chase points with his personal ability, excellent breakthrough ability, the stability of receiving three points, the whole game, LeVert 19 10 bombed 22 points, of which the 8 points in the last quarter is one of the important contributors to the team's ability to complete the reversal. With 22 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 1 block, LeVert almost perfectly filled the gap in Garland's truce.
Three, three old protection.
Mobley was completely out of form today in addition to defense, with only 8 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 2 steals and 3 blocks in the game, and Bixtafso decisively activated Lefour, who showed a veteran role.
Love attacked the basket
In the game, Love was 4-of-8, including 3-of-5 three-pointers, contributing 14 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist, and caused two Pacers offensive fouls, making up for Mobley's slump on both ends of the offensive end, and with Allen's 22 points and 14 rebounds, the Cavaliers still secured the paint advantage.
Osman contributed 14 points, 2 assists and 1 steal on 6-of-12 shooting, still playing the role of a substitute, and fans have become accustomed to not repeating it. Focus on veteran Rondo.
Rondo's second three-pointer
After Rubio's season reimbursement, the Cavaliers decisively traded Rondo from the Lakers to let him navigate the youngsters, and today, Rondo broke out perfectly. In the whole game, Rondo was 6 of 7, including 2 of 3 from three-point range, contributing 17 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals, directly returning to the playoff Rondo mode, attacking and defending both ends to help the team, note that it is he who can perfectly assume the responsibility of point guard, in order to liberate LeVert's offensive attributes, which can be called the outside of the team to activate the team.
The above three elders combined with 45 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists are the X factors that the Cavaliers can complete a big reversal.
Finally, a small detail, the first quarter of the game, the Cavaliers 7 mistakes; the last three quarters of the game, the Cavaliers only 6 mistakes, coupled with the requisition of Lefour to replace Mobley, activate Rondo to take on organizational responsibilities, release LeVert's personal ability, Bixtaf's ability to adjust, is moving closer to the best coach step by step.