Here’s a piece I wrote recapping the game for ESPN Los Angeles.
A couple of additional points, before going to the video of the final possession:
- It’s a strange game. Strange insofar as the Clippers, whose collective eFG on jumpers is 42.3 percent, drained 11 of 17 shots between 16 feet and the 3-point line (64.8 percent), and 10 for 19 from beyond the arc (52.6 percent/78.9 percent eFG). That’s an outlier of major proportions, particularly against a team that contests shots the way Cleveland does. As a team, the Clippers shoot only 38.0 percent from 16-23 feet and 31.3 percent/50.6 eFG from 3-point range. Assemble tonight’s collection of shots again, and it’s unlikely the Clippers break 90.
- That qualification aside, the Clippers have been running some nice stuff along the perimeter for Eric Gordon and Rasual Butler — flare screens that catch perimeter defenders off balance and don’t give the interior help enough time to close.
- The Clips’ base defense is reasonably effective, though Cleveland’s 118.6 efficiency number would suggest otherwise. The Clippers get crushed on the offensive glass, which allows the Cavs to extend possessions (one reason the game factored out at 86 possessions each, a snail’s pace). The Clippers’ wings deserve praise for their shooting exploits, but they continue to exist in some vortex or negative space where rebounds never fall.
- Craig Smith’s miss with the Clippers trailing by one and 1:25 remaining is particularly heart-breaking, because Smith has performed brilliantly tonight in Kaman’s absence and because he spent the third quarter getting x-rays on his wrist and tuchus and because he rolls to the hoop beautifully when Mo Williams and Varejao trap Baron Davis on the action. LeBron James and Anthony Parker come in from the wings to contest, but Smith still has the angle. He just misses.
The final play:
Why don’t the Cavs foul since they have one to give? Some coaches are increasingly skittish that a resourceful guard like Davis might fling the ball at the basket at the sound of a whistle and find his way to the foul line. Is reducing the Clippers’ possession by a second or so worth that risk? Good question.
15 Responses
Another game where baron pisses me off in the end, I mean doesn’t he know the one with hot hands has a better chance at making a game winner? Maybe he’s trying to redeem himself from being too passive and giving it to butler for his faild 3pt gw
Posted on January 17th, 2010 at 3:29 am
At first, I thought it was a piss poor play but after looking at the clip, it was good one. Baron had to make the proper read and he didn’t
Posted on January 17th, 2010 at 8:52 am
This coach sucks…Smith is not good enough to play in alot of games yet he is better than Camby in the 4th quarter??? They kept going to Smith in the post…eventually it wont work…Also the constant screaming from the coach is annoying……He yells “Run..Run…Run..” a fastbreak team is taught at practice how to run a fastbreak…you dont need a coaching yelling that all the time….
Posted on January 17th, 2010 at 8:55 am
Look at the 20sec mark in the video. Eric cuts to the top of the key for a wide open (though unnecessary) three.
Posted on January 17th, 2010 at 9:29 am
Adopting a phrase from another LA icon, these moments will for now on be known as B-B-B, Baron-being-Baron, doesn’t matter how cold he is, if he has a chance to be the hero, he is going for it….that is why this team will never be a winner with BD leading the way, he is too narcissitic to lead, similar to the game in Portland right before New Year’s….cold hand takes the last shot….
B-B-B.
Posted on January 17th, 2010 at 10:10 am
dont throw it all on BD….. the dunce called it
kenji Reply:
January 17th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
agree.
people here need to stop dumping on baron anytime he doesn’t play to their standards. i bet these same people weren’t complaining about jack when he had the triple-double vs memphis, or during the win streak prior to the memphis game.
Posted on January 17th, 2010 at 10:35 am
Clippers had a lead most of the game and lost it in the 4th quarter again. It shouldn’t have come down to that last play to begin with.
rmb Reply:
January 17th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
I didn’t expect Clippers to play this good against LeBron & Co. For Clips it’s back to back. Cavs had a break after losing to Utah.
And I don’t expect a 2nd year rookie(Gordon), a role player(Butler), a tired & visibly unhappy(due to trade speculations?)Camby and DeAndre to carry this team to victory.
Not using Telfair to rest Baron was a mistake. Butler played 44min. last nite. This team will spiral towards the bottom if Baron & Butler go down with injuries.
Unfortunately Dunvealy continues to show his utter ignorance on the matter of using players with caution. Fatigue & Productivity are arch enemies. Why can’t these coaches understand this simple fact?
Dunleavy over-played Kaman. Now he’s on the bench. Same fate awaits Baron & Butler. Under Dunleavy, that’s inevitable.
Posted on January 17th, 2010 at 11:15 am
Tough loss. Baron played a good game, I would’ve rather seen him find EJ on that one but he got himself a good enough shot.
Posted on January 17th, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Dunleavy was outcoached on that last play. Every Clipper was expecting the foul and when it didn’t come, every Clipper on the floor didn’t know what to do. Obviously, the team was not prepared for Cavs to play straight up with no foul. Bad coaching. Team should have had a second option when the foul didn’t come right away. And yes, EJ was WIDE open and BD should have passed. BD’s missed free throw really hurt too. As did the 3 that was disallowed b/c shot clock expired.
Clips still have a ways to go — and they still don’t have a guy to take the shot at the end of the game.
Clips need a CLOSER.
Posted on January 17th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
The Clippers season is just about over. At the current rate, to make the playoffs in the West, the Clippers need to go 29-14 for the rest of the season. Even if Blake Griffin did come back, Dunleavy has put the Clippers in too large of a hole.
Posted on January 17th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
This season is going to be another lottery pick season. Might as well let Kaman rest up a bit longer.
Did anyone hear the Clips post game show last night on radio? Ralph was talking about how Lebron was being super friendly to he and Mike Smith, and to Blake Griffin, implying that could mean LJ wants to sign with the Clips. Ralph can be a real knucklehead sometimes!
Asperis Reply:
January 17th, 2010 at 5:44 pm
He’s nice to everyone. They’re like little school girls getting all giddy when the quarterback talks to them. James just talked to Blake because he was the number 1 pick and everyone had very high expectations.
bongstradamus Reply:
January 17th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
Yea but when LeBron was asked if he thought about playing for the Clippers he laughed and said “I have no thoughts on that.”
Which we all kinda knew in our heart of hearts.
Posted on January 17th, 2010 at 5:20 pm
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