INDIANAPOLIS – Just before the launch, about 10 hours before the start of the year, Cleveland Cavaliers coach JB Bickerstaff censored himself when summing up 2020.
The condensed version and no bad words: luckily it’s over.
Before saying goodbye to a difficult year that challenged him and the entire organization in unexpected ways, Cavs had one last chance to end on a high. Not exactly. Not in 2020. The Cavs lost their second straight game, 119-99, to the Indiana Pacers on Thursday afternoon.
“There was doubt. There was doubt about himself. There was doubt as a unit. There were doubts as a team. You cannot survive playing against good teams without that belief, ”said Bickerstaff after the game. “We have good players. They are extremely talented. They wouldn’t be here if they weren’t. When they play together, with confidence and faith, they can be a good basketball team. And that is what we have to do. But it takes time. It takes experience. You have to go through these things and these moments because you are very young. “
After an exciting streak of three consecutive victories, fueled by the quick movement of the ball, the team’s first game and stifling defense, Cavs is suddenly disappearing. They are also getting frustrated.
These emotions overflowed at various times during Thursday’s matinee, when Cedi Osman, Andre Drummond and JaVale McGee were hit by technical fouls to discuss with the official team. Drummond and McGee, in trouble for most of the game, were unable to get into the rhythm. Osman’s pitches have continued since Tuesday night’s defeat, scoring just three points from 1 of 8 on the field and 1 of 5 in the 3-point range.
“I will take responsibility for this. We shouldn’t have three techniques in one game, ”said Bickerstaff. “The calls may not be our way. But as we have been here for a while, being veterans of this, we cannot afford to obtain these techniques. These are momentum modifiers. There is a time and a place, but we need to make sure we maintain our composure so we can get out and do the work. “
Playing in a town affectionately known as “Naptown”, Cavs started slowly, losing 11 by the end of the first quarter.
They counterattacked with a strong second, punctuating those 12 minutes with a 7-2 wave to give them new life – and just a six-point deficit – by going to the half-time locker room. But the third quarter was similar to the first. Indiana grabbed control thanks to her 31-point offensive explosion and Cleveland’s flawed shot.
“In the first quarter, I felt that the attack was stagnant, I was not following our principles and sharing the ball and feeding the post whenever Dre runs to the edge,” said Collin Sexton. “It was basically working with a lot of pick and roll and just not playing together. First, we were not playing together. “
For the second game in a row, Cavs were forced to play from behind – an unenviable task against the Pacers, who lost one. They did a few separate runs, reaching 11 at the 5:29 mark of the fourth time. Instead of another brave push, there were some inopportune defensive errors and empty possessions that dashed any hope.
Sexton scored 28 points out of 12 out of 19 field shots. His defense mate, Darius Garland, added 21 points, including the best of his career, five out of 3 points. Drummond finished with 11 points and 13 rebounds, his fifth consecutive double-double at the opening of the season.
The Pacers’ balanced attack, with all five players scoring double digits, was led by Domantas Sabonis. The great 24-year-old had 25 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. Malcolm Brogdon contributed 17.
Over the past year, Cavs made a change of coach – Bickerstaff taking over from John Beilein – had its positive momentum interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic that froze the NBA in March, being one of eight teams rejected by the league and excluded from Disney Bubble, and were plagued by injuries to important players.
There were certainly some silver lining in 2020 as well. Bickerstaff found these positive points. Just not on Thursday.
It was a suitable ending for 2020. Have a nice trip.
Windler should be reevaluated
Young swingman Dylan Windler, who accompanies the team on this trip, will be reassessed in the coming days. Set aside with a fractured left hand, Windler is unlikely to play in any of his six street games, including the final of this trip on January 9 against the Milwaukee Bucks. Before Thursday’s game in his hometown, Windler was doing individual conditioning work – everything he was able to do during his recovery.
Dirty problem
With Drummond in trouble at the start, catching his second personal goal at 5:36 in the first quarter, McGee came in – and made a difference immediately. In his first two minutes, McGee took five offensive rebounds and altered some shots across the court. But, like Drummond, McGee quickly accumulated whistles against the Pacers’ strong attacking court. His fifth foul in the middle of the third quarter was followed by a technical foul.
McGee played just 14 minutes, scoring seven points and catching 13 rebounds.
This bad problem led to the significant first minutes of the season for Thon Maker, who played eight minutes, scoring six points with a rebound and a block.
Lineup change
With Larry Nance Jr. as holder of injured Kevin Love again, Bickerstaff went with Dante Exum instead of Osman as the little replacement striker. Okoro, recently placed in the league’s health and safety protocol COVID-19, missed his third consecutive time with a sprained foot. Exum scored seven points and grabbed four rebounds.
Next
The Cavs will continue their journey on Saturday against the Atlanta Hawks. The complaint is scheduled for 7:30 pm
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