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The Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the Boston Celtics 109-98. Let’s go over today’s winners and losers.
LOSER – First Half Offense
No one can make every shot, even if they’re left wide open. But there are two things you can control. The quality of the shots you attempt, and whether or not you adjust when shots aren’t falling.
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Cleveland wasn’t able to properly adjust throughout the first half.
It’s one thing to generate a three-point attempt by working into the paint and then kicking out to the perimeter. It’s another to rush into a three in semi-transition or by launching it over Boston’s drop coverage. Those shots are fine enough if you’re knocking them down at a decent rate. But if shots aren’t falling, those latter attempts start to look questionable.
The Cavs took a handful of open shots in the first half. None of them fell. So as the misses piled up, the not-so-good attempts in semi-transition or over the drop coverage felt jarring. Thomas Bryant’s quick trigger (0-4 from downtown) felt especially bad.
Overall, Cleveland shot 2-22 from deep in the first half. That’s hard to do.
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In a vacuum, you can argue that the Cavs attempted shots that usually yield more points. But again, there comes a point where you have to read the game and make adjustments. They didn’t work hard enough to attack the basket and open up the perimeter. It was all frustration and settling for less in the first half.
WINNER – Evan Mobley
Boston is a difficult matchup for the Cavaliers. They always have been. But perhaps the only true advantage Cleveland has in this battle is in the frontcourt, where Mobley has a clear edge on any defender the Celtics can throw at him. That’s led to some efficient games from Mobley, including today.
Mobely found little resistance at the rim, speeding around Neemias Queta and Luka Garza. He also had success spacing the floor by knocking down two three-point attempts. This was an inside-out performance from Mobley that showcased one of the ways Cleveland can actually turn the tables on Boston.
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There wasn’t a whole lot else to be happy about in…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/winners-losers-cavs-vs-celtics-202738440.html
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Publish date : 2026-03-08 20:27:00
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