Betrayer

Harden and Mitchell on the perimeter. Allen and Mobley inside. Really tough matchup because it's not just about who you put Ausar on and if Cade will have the energy to guard the other. These are much better offensive creators than Bane who stands there and waits to shoot a three. Expect to see a ton of screens targeting Duncan and Harris to get them on Mitchell/Harden. Also, there are real concerns about foul trouble for both Ausar and Cade against some of the best foul baiters in the business. That's just the perimeter. On the inside you also have to deal with the fact that Mobley and Allen can totally shut down the inside and that's really the only place we can score. Allen is also a terrific offensive rebounder and we're not great at stopping that. If you're hoping for Super-Cade to save us, just know that he had a 44 TS against the Cavs this season. He also averaged 5.8 turnovers and was a -7.3 on the court. They had 4 matchups this season: Game 1: Loss 116-95. They killed us. They had everyone but Harden. Game 2: Win 114-110. No JD for us. No Allen or Harden for them. Game 3: Win 122-119. No Mitchell or Harden. Game 4: Loss 113-109. No Mitchell. This matchup is Piston's kryptonite because they can hunt mismatches on offense, get guys in foul trouble, and shut down the paint. We need our guys to get hot from three for a series to keep up with their ability to score since the paint will be very difficult to navigate, but that's just not really our strength.

Both series in the West should be sweeps.

Best Duren game of the series by a mile.

Why do we struggle so much with the press? One pass and you have a 4 on 3 advantage if you push it. We’re playing like we’re trying to dribble out the clock even though there’s plenty of time.

Definitely. Toronto plays tougher, but Cleveland is a terrible matchup.

We need Cade and Ausar to play 40+ in every game next round.

He runs his mouth even when he’s having a bad game. That’s his super power.

Jenkins showed up!!!

Ugh. Don’t let them do to us what we did to them. Match that intensity! Pressure further out.

Come out of the half like last game and step on their throats. Make them fight just to get it across half court. Pressure the ball. We saw what they can do when they want to. Do it.

Tobias with a contract year playoff performance. We need every bit of it.

Robinson missing is killing us. That, and the turnovers. Should be up 5 or more.

At least he finally hit an open three.

Duncan struggling on open threes and their 30% shooter is 3 for 3. Cmon!

How often do 2 teams come back from 1-3 in the first round? How do the 1 and 2 seeds both lose in the first round? Either way, this outcome is sure to be historical.