Cavs Corner with @jaymesbawned

brospn (60)in #sports • 6 years ago (edited)

Playoff Update: Round 2, Game 2

Welcome back Kevin Love. The much-maligned Cavalier came into the game averaging just 10.9 points on 31.9 percent shooting in the 2018 postseason. This is not going to cut it for a current NBA All-Star and official #2 on a team with championship aspirations, even if the #1 is LeBron James. Last night was different, though. They kept Love at center instead of his preferred power forward position and he thrived. He worked the Raptors inside and out, on backdoor cuts, post-up moves and on his usual long range game. He ended up with 31 points, a playoff high this year for any Cav not named LeBron.

Speaking of James, he was magnificent again. Lebron nearly putting down another triple-double, ending with a 43-point, 14-assist, 8-rebound night. He was flat out nasty with his fadeaway jumper in the second half. Some called it disrespectful. He was channeling Jordan and Kobe in these shots, not caring who was guarding him, or where he was on the floor. He just needed a little space, a half-second glance at the rim and it was going in.

_{Photo credits: By Keith Allison from Hanover, MD, USA (Kevin Love) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons}

The Cavaliers controlled this one from fairly early. Even in the first quarter when they were losing they looked in control. This was a different team than what we have seen so far in the playoffs, one with edge, attitude and drive. George Hill and J.R. Smith were being aggressive and active. Bodies were flying around on defense, constantly rotating. I had my doubts if this team could make it to the Finals again, but if they keep playing like this they have a great shot.

Game 3 Preview

Game 3 will be played Saturday in Cleveland at 8:30 p.m. EST on ABC. The pressure on Toronto is immense after losing both games at home. I bet they find a way to sneak one win out of the two games in Cleveland because the cavs are known to throw up some stinkers at home occasionally. I don't think it will matter, though. I had my doubts coming into this series but the Cavs look much improved, like they have finally "flipped the switch." Cavs in 5.

_{Cover photo credits: By Erik Drost (Cleveland Cavaliers) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons>via Wikimedia Commons}

_{Author: @jaymesbawned}
_{Editor: @liberty-minded}