Random dribbles following the Cavaliers’ 101-91 loss to the visiting Memphis Grizzlies on Monday.
1. There are really only two things about this game that I could come up with. First, this was a bad loss. Second, I enjoyed watching the game, anyway.
2. The Cavs just beat the Grizzlies in Memphis with largely the same lineup. So there was no excuse for losing to the Grizzlies a few nights later at home.
3. Of course, all those injuries are going to catch up with you eventually. It sure did on this night, as the Cavs (5-6) have lost two straight and fell below .500 for the first time this season.
4. They looked totally lost and lacked energy to start the third quarter — but fought back, courtesy of a 26-8 run. But turnovers and a lack of timely stops doomed them at the end.
5. Hey, it happens. It just can’t keep happening. The Cavs say they know that.
6. Coach J.B. Bickerstaff to reporters: “Again, asking guys who are out of position to get us organized in a pressure-filled fourth quarter isn’t the easiest thing. We hit some bumps. I think we can be better there and we can improve there, for sure.”
7. About the only concerning aspect of this early season? The Cavs are just 2-2 at home. The losses have come to the Knicks and Grizzlies — two teams that aren’t expected to make the playoffs.
8. You need to beat non-playoff teams at home most of the time.
9. In fairness, Collin Sexton (ankle) missed his third straight game. He was scheduled to play, went through warmups … and then was a late scratch.
10. The Cavs still don’t have Darius Garland (shoulder), Kevin Porter Jr. (personal reasons) or Matthew Dellavedova (concussion). They signed point guard Yogi Ferrell to a 10-day contract earlier Monday and he produced nine points in 17 minutes.
11. Why Porter or Dellavedova aren’t around or when they may be available is beyond me and definitely beyond the fans. The Cavs are the most-secretive consistent lottery team in NBA history.
12. Anyway, the Cavs sure could use one of those players. Shooting guard Damyean Dotston (14 points) is not a point guard and rookie small forward Isaac Okoro (12 points) isn’t really a shooting guard. But because of the missing bodies, that’s where those players are positioned.
13. That’s not a knock on either player — they’re both giving clearly everything they’ve had. But something just feels odd about why some of these other guys aren’t active.
14. Andre Drummond led the way with 19 points and 14 rebounds. He continues to be a reason to watch. Cedi Osman added 14 points and Larry Nance Jr. scored 13.
15. Defensively, the Cavs weren’t bad. As Bickerstaff has said repeatedly, with all the missing players, they’re just struggling to put the ball in hole on a consistent basis. Let’s hope at least Sexton can play next time.
16. More Bickerstaff: “To be honest, I thought we lacked for large periods of the game the two things that matter to us most — competitiveness and selflessness. Tonight was the first sign that I saw more than not, we were lacking in those areas. Again, that’s something we can control and if we control those things, we’ll be in better positions going into the fourth quarter.”
17. So, that’s that. The Cavs have very little margin for error, and on Wednesday, they just made to many of them. That’s hardly reason for concern. Mostly, they just need their regulars to start healing and getting back to (or joining) the rest of the guys.
18. Dillon Brooks led the Grizzlies (4-6) with 21 points and Brandon Clarke scored 15.
19. Next up: The Cavs go right back at it Tuesday night, again at home, vs. the Utah Jazz.
