- 9 months ago
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00Game that Miami had a great opportunity to win, and it took an incredible fourth quarter performance from Spider Mitchell.
00:09Spider!
00:10Rise it up!
00:11At that moment, it's just like finding the mismatch and make a play.
00:14There's not much you can do when a team is shooting like this.
00:17Down the stretch, I think they just made a lot of tough shots.
00:19You get home, figure out how we can get two at the crib.
00:26It's a Saturday matinee in Miami.
00:29Miami, the first of a tripleheader here on TNT.
00:33The top seed in the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers took the first two games of the series at home.
00:40It's a pivotal Game 3.
00:44First-round coverage on TNT is presented by NerdWallet as we welcome you inside the Kaseya Center.
00:53The Cavaliers in the heat.
00:55Take a look at the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference.
01:00How about Gary Trent Jr. last night?
01:02He balled out, made nine threes, and then Paolo and Franz were outstanding for the Magic to get back into that series.
01:11This is Evan Mobley, the Defensive Player of the Year in the NBA.
01:15And he, partner, is a difference maker on both sides of the ball.
01:20First in Cavs history.
01:22Hi, everyone.
01:23I'm about to have it alongside Greg Anthony, along with Taylor Rooks as well here on this Saturday.
01:29And when you look at the Miami Heat heading into today's game, how do they get back in it?
01:35Matt, they've got to channel their second half sense of urgency that we saw in Game 2.
01:40And they're going to need a hero.
01:42Tyler Hero is going to have to continue to play at the level he has performed in those first two games.
01:50Their defense has got to give him a chance to shine.
01:52The sense of urgency has to be there.
01:55Change in the starting lineup.
01:57No Darius Garland.
01:58Sam Merrill gets his first career playoff start.
02:02Mitchell Merrill, Struis Mobley, and Allen for the Miami Heat.
02:06Hero, Mitchell, Wiggins, Adebayo, and Ware.
02:10Let's send it over to Taylor Rooks with more on Darius Garland.
02:14Thanks, Matt.
02:15You said it.
02:16Sam Merrill will be starting in his place tonight.
02:18And Kenny Atkinson said that he is an underappreciated player in this league.
02:23That he expects him to bring high energy.
02:25That he plays hard.
02:26That he has defended really well this series, specifically against Tyler Hero.
02:31And now with Darius out, Donovan Mitchell told me nobody is going to feel sorry for them with this injury.
02:37Said that if they are going to be a championship team, they have to know how to adjust in these moments, guys.
02:42And there's a lot of chatter after Game 2.
02:45Darius Garland said, you know, you pick on Tyler Hero.
02:49And Hero said, you know, somebody who doesn't play defense shouldn't be talking.
02:54If he don't play D, we'll have to wait for that a little bit later, maybe in this series, as Garland potentially returns.
03:02But here on this Saturday, it's the Cavs in the heat with the Cavs leading two games to none.
03:11This is the Cavaliers team, third best road record during the regular season.
03:15In the Miami Heat, only 19 and 22 here at home.
03:19Only playoff team without a winning record at home.
03:23Yeah, it's hard to imagine that the Heat have been that poor here at home.
03:27I mean, let's see if the script can flip here in the postseason.
03:32Davion Mitchell starting his second consecutive game for the Miami Heat.
03:37He was tremendous in the fourth quarter.
03:40They cut it to two late, but were not able to overcome that deficit.
03:47Hero cutoff in the quarter.
03:49Atabayo in the corner.
03:50Three is good.
03:51Just two and ten in the series from downtown.
03:53A good sign early.
03:55It is, but he had a huge impact on the game.
03:58Not necessarily scoring in game two, but 14 rebounds and nine assists.
04:02So his impact was felt.
04:06Kenny Atkinson has talked about composure throughout when we have spoken to him.
04:11And they were able to maintain that early after that lead in game two, 16-9.
04:18But he knows it'll be different here on the road.
04:20Yeah, you get a different sense of energy from the home team, especially one down 2-0.
04:25So they're shooting Allen with the slam dunk right over where?
04:30And how about the attack there?
04:32And then to get him in that pocket for the finish.
04:35So you can see Cleveland here early on extending their pressure, trying to force Miami to play
04:41more one-on-one.
04:42Atabayo, his 77th career playoff game.
04:47That's it in.
04:47He has come out strong.
04:49And what I like about that possession, Matt, they need what I call exhale possessions,
04:53where a guy can just go win a one-on-one matchup and not have to stress their half-court offense.
04:58Donovan Mitchell struggled from two in game two, but from three, he was lights out.
05:07Hero.
05:08And over the fingertips of Davy Adam Mitchell.
05:12And how about this with Allen?
05:14You mentioned it.
05:15Yeah, you know, not known as an offensive player, but you can see just gets where to commit.
05:20Enough does Bruce, and then a perfect find there for the finish.
05:24Mobley stretching it out, 37% the last two seasons from downtown.
05:31Misses that one.
05:32Hero in the paint.
05:33Hero bucket, and a great start for the Heat.
05:37Yeah, another possession where their transition, it's not always the initial burst, but you get
05:43a favorable matchup and don't allow that defense to set.
05:47England sails over Allen.
05:49Mitchell finds Hero back over to Davy Adam Mitchell, underneath.
05:56And the bucket is good for Kahlil Ware, the rookie.
06:00And one thing you notice early, the pace.
06:04A lot of their possessions, the Heat, are being finished within the first seven, eight seconds
06:08of the shot clock.
06:09Mobley fading, and the rebound for Ware.
06:15Cleveland gets back in transition.
06:19Hero with it.
06:20Strewson, former teammate here in Miami.
06:24And it traveled too many steps.
06:26One of the things Kenny Atkinson also mentioned to us was you can't have a seven-point lead extend
06:32to 17, right?
06:33And the advantage Cleveland has, you see Eric Spoelstra there, doesn't like a few of these
06:39possessions, but he's got to like their energy early, is that their ability to shoot the three
06:44is such a weapon that it allows you to take off some of those long runs and squash them
06:51before they really get going.
06:53And speaking to Eric Spoelstra, like, you just know there's a confidence level there.
06:59We've been here before.
07:01We've been here before.
07:02We've been here before.
07:03And they've been, you know, they're accustomed to being in the play in the last few years
07:07to have to battle to get to this point.
07:09But there is a level of confidence that this group plays with.
07:13Rising up, Adebayo shot off the mark as Allen will clear it to Donovan Mitchell.
07:19Seven-point lead for the Heat.
07:24We've won the one of five from the field.
07:26We've got one of six as Ware tracks that one down.
07:31Fabian communicating with Andrew Wiggins.
07:34Can he get going?
07:35Was great in the play in first two games and struggled in this series.
07:40Deflects that, but Donovan comes away with it.
07:43Mobley on the run.
07:44Finds Allen right to the iron.
07:46Two-handed slam.
07:47And that Cleveland also very good in the open floor.
07:50And you can sense early how they missed Garland's ability to get into the tee for the defense.
07:57They're going to have to make that adjustment here at this starting group.
08:01He has been outstanding through the first two games.
08:05And as Ware knocks down that three ball.
08:09During the regular season, Cleveland four and three without Darius Garland.
08:14Mitchell off the mark.
08:18Wiggins.
08:19Yeah, they're such a great team.
08:21They can overcome that because of the depth.
08:23Yes.
08:24But in the postseason, you prefer to have a guy as lethal as Garland on the floor.
08:30At 27 in game one, 21 in game two for the Cavs.
08:34Wiggins cut off by the length of Mobley.
08:38Shot clock down.
08:39Merrill on Hero.
08:40Hero gets by him.
08:42Loader doesn't go.
08:44Batted out and controlled by the Cavs.
08:46Yeah, they're getting matchups that they want.
08:48Are the heat here early on.
08:54Mitchell misses with the three.
08:56Trapped down by Davion to Mitchell.
08:59Pushing it up.
09:00There's Wiggins in the corner with an open look.
09:02They're getting a lot of good looks.
09:05I like the pace from Miami here early on.
09:07Cleveland just hasn't found their rhythm yet offensively.
09:100-5 from three.
09:15Here's Mitchell with the left denied by Wiggins and a foul.
09:20Even though he doesn't get that finish, it's Mitchell's attack that oftentimes creates the opportunity on that second chance.
09:28Timeout on the floor.
09:29First round coverage on TNT.
09:32Is presented by NERF.
09:35Eight point lead for the Heat early on in game three.
09:39Here's Chuck with a word from FanDuel.
09:43Glad Kenny's not here today.
09:45Don't forget to download the FanDuel Sportsbook app.
09:47It's the best place for all live betting and same game parlays.
09:50It's the best place for all the players and it pays out instantly.
09:52Today's question.
09:54Who wins?
09:54The Cavs or the Heat?
09:57I'm going with the Heat.
10:00He put the guarantee on it.
10:02Oh, man.
10:03And he's like, and he likes the solar panel.
10:05I'm going to have to share with the Jets.
10:07He likes to be up for everybody to see what he calls his money maker.
10:10But you know what that means by him picking the Heat.
10:12It could be 3-0 after this one.
10:15Oh, man.
10:16What a down.
10:17Miami folks did not want to hear that here in South Florida as Allen is at the line.
10:23Ty Jerome checks in.
10:27DeAndre Hunter in as well for Cleveland.
10:30Wiggins trying to shed marrow.
10:32Pulls up the green.
10:33It's good.
10:34He needed that.
10:35Yeah.
10:36And they need him, you know, because when he sees the ball go through the basket,
10:41it just kind of unleashes his athleticism.
10:43It makes him a better basketball player.
10:46Ty Jerome on the attack.
10:48And that's looking more like Ty Jerome looked in game one where he was electric for this Cavs team.
10:5528.16 in the fourth quarter.
10:58Was held to just six in game two.
11:01A little bit more attention on him in game two by Miami.
11:04Hunter back outside to Jerome.
11:09Seven-point lead for the Heat.
11:11Hunter makes a move.
11:14And it rolls in.
11:15Kenny Atkinson talked about DeAndre Hunter, how big he was in game number two of both ends for them.
11:24Yeah, a terrific two-way player.
11:26And one of the strengths of this Cavs team, right, is they don't lose anything when they go to their bench.
11:32Mitchell unable to knock down that mid-range.
11:35And oftentimes they get better just because of matchups and skill set of those guys coming off the bench.
11:42Struis lets loose and the three is good.
11:46And there you go.
11:46With Ty Jerome, you get a little more playmaking than what you're going to have with Merrill as the second guard.
11:53And now the class offense starting to flow.
11:577-0 run by the Cavaliers.
12:00Top three-point shooting team on the road.
12:03And better than 38 percent.
12:06The Cavaliers had a chance here to tie or take the lead.
12:12As we head to the five-minute mark.
12:14Allen erect to the bucket.
12:16And a timeout taken by Eric Spolstra in the Heat.
12:20And he's not pleased.
12:21Now the Cavs doing a great job of opening up the weak side.
12:26So when they run that elbow pick and roll, there's no help coming over to stop Allen there on the road.
12:34First-round coverage on TNT is presented.
12:38Baywood Highsmith in.
12:40Pella Larson in as well for Eric Spolstra.
12:44Ron put together by the Cavaliers.
12:46Tied at 15.
12:47Dean Wade checks in for Cleveland.
12:55Atta Bayou.
12:56And he's going to lose.
12:58It's scooped up by Jerome.
12:59Great initial D by Allen as Hunter rises up.
13:02And the three is good.
13:04And the Cavs lead by three.
13:06How good that quickly with Jerome and Hunter coming in.
13:10That's the fourth of assists with time.
13:13Jerome and then also Hunter five points.
13:1712-0 run and a turnover on a travel by Andrew Wiggins.
13:22It's their first lead, the Cavaliers.
13:24Yeah.
13:24And the other thing that's happened too, Matt, is now the game's slowing down.
13:28It's allowing Cleveland to kind of set their defense.
13:31They're not giving up anything in transition.
13:33And Hunter didn't have a great offensive game.
13:37And one has gladly gotten better as this season, this series, I should say, is progressing.
13:43Atta does it on Wednesday night.
13:46At home against the Heat.
13:47Time to roam gets in the paint.
13:49Batted out by Dean Wade and scooped up by Jerome.
13:53Hero on him.
13:58Strews puts it on the deck.
14:00Gets by Larson.
14:01And then underneath to Allen on the cut in the bucket.
14:05Just another great decision.
14:06And I love how Allen is spacing the paint right now.
14:10Finding the cracks in the defense to give his team an outlet at the rim.
14:16Hero.
14:17And a foul.
14:18Now the Cavaliers.
14:22And you can see here, look at this nice pocket.
14:25And you see how, because of that attack, that Miami baseline defense has to come up a step or two higher.
14:32And it allows Allen to kind of get behind them and just find a crack there.
14:37And doing a great job of finishing.
14:39Four, four from the field has ten points after the Cavs.
14:45Productivity here in this first quarter.
14:49Miami led by nine, but yet very much like game two.
14:54They was stood the punch of the heat.
14:58And the Cavs grabbed the lead.
15:02And a blocking foul on Dean Wade.
15:07Called by Rodney Mott, one of our three officials here today.
15:11John Goble, Bill Kennedy, and Rodney Mott.
15:14And our crew.
15:16One thing you've seen here is the Heat have gone to the bench.
15:19They've got to be able to win one-on-one matchups.
15:22Meaning they've got to be able to get into the paint.
15:24Break down that defense.
15:26And try to force the Heat into, or the Cavs in the rotation.
15:31And you can see right now, they're struggling.
15:33They can't get the ball into the paint.
15:35And credit the Cavs defensively.
15:37You know, you look at them.
15:39They have guys out there that are doing a hell of a job defensively.
15:41That you may not necessarily look at as a defender.
15:44But they're disciplined.
15:46And they understand who they have on that back line.
15:49Nikola Jovich checks in.
15:51Saw a lot of time in game number two.
15:5525 minutes.
15:57The most since the third week of February.
16:01The inside.
16:02Mobley.
16:03Just getting into the teeth of the D.
16:05They've been doing such a good job.
16:08And it's partly because they have to, the Heat, extend on that pick-and-roll with Jerome.
16:13And that just creates an angle there for Mobley and Allen to take advantage.
16:1916-0 run by Cleveland.
16:21Hero.
16:23Trying to get by Mobley.
16:24Loses it.
16:25And another turnover.
16:27It's been an issue in this series for the Heat.
16:31That's their sixth.
16:34The cut.
16:35Hey!
16:36Up at the rim.
16:37Mobley right now they are just in such a great rhythm offensively.
16:43But it's because of what they're doing defensively.
16:45They are locked in and really disrupting the Heat's offense.
16:49Trapped Wiggins.
16:50Larson now with three.
16:52And that ends the 18-0 run.
16:54How about an 18-0 run there by the Cavs.
16:59Hunter.
17:02Larson able to retrieve him.
17:04Yovic to Hero going in line.
17:10Pulls up.
17:12And he is fouled.
17:20The NBA on TNT is brought to you by the Kia Telluride X-Line.
17:26Kia official automotive partner of the NBA.
17:30At one time, Hero.
17:33So, Hero to the line had 33 in game two.
17:40Only two trips to the line.
17:42Not a Wednesday.
17:43His first year is good.
17:45And they're going to need Tyler here to get going.
17:47But what's been key is when Mitchell's not out there, Davion Mitchell for the Heat,
17:52the tempo slows down.
17:54And then it allows the size of the Cavs to kind of squeeze that Heat offense.
17:59And you saw that last question, they get a defensive rebound, they can get out in transition.
18:03I think pace is so important for the Heat.
18:05It creates cross matches.
18:07It doesn't allow the Cavs to kind of lock in and get five sets of eyes on the basketball.
18:12Because right now, their offense is struggling to create offense.
18:15And that's important for the Heat.
18:16They don't have a lot of guys that can consistently beat great one-on-one defenders.
18:21They've got to be able to execute in the half court.
18:24Zero fast break points for the Miami Heat, five for the Cavs, a deep three.
18:30Jerome doesn't go.
18:32Wade saves it to Mobley.
18:35Mobley.
18:37Bucket.
18:38How about the effort by Wade there to run down that loose ball to create another possession.
18:44And Mobley delivers on the triple.
18:47Hero.
18:49Cut off by Wade.
18:50Redrick spins, foul line, tough shot with Wade draped all over him.
18:56But again, another possession where they can't get into the paint.
18:58They're just doing such a great job of moving their feet laterally and bodying up.
19:04Foul there.
19:06And they've only turned over the Cavaliers one time, the Miami Heat.
19:12They talked about creating pace, getting out and going, and they have not been able to do that here in this opening quarter.
19:18And one of the issues, though, for Miami defensively is because of a dynamic player like Donovan Mitchell tied to Rome.
19:28Their ability to turn the corner defensively and then take advantage of their size on that back line with Mobley looking out.
19:35First is good, his first point, Donovan Mitchell.
19:41TNT is your new home for Roland Garros.
19:44Watch the stars of the tennis world descend on Paris beginning May 25th on TNT in stream on a max.
19:52And this is a second.
19:590 of 4 here in this opening quarter from the field.
20:02Mitchell had a bio with it.
20:06Davion Mitchell up top, working with Bam, pulls up, shot doesn't go.
20:12But that's still better offense.
20:14That's a better look than they have been creating here in the last few possessions.
20:24Jerome directing traffic.
20:27Stutter step in the paint by Jovic.
20:30The bigger Jovic and Jerome, great job manipulating there in the paint.
20:35That's a great call.
20:37He's so crafty that he knows how to use his size.
20:40He can get you on his hip and he can play from that position.
20:45I Smith with Hunter on the scene.
20:48Jovic.
20:49And a turnover.
20:50Digging in on the double.
20:52Tied Jerome.
20:52Trap gets it to Wade.
20:57And a timeout taken with the Cavs up by 10.
21:01And it's been the Cavs defense here that's been dictating the pace of this game.
21:08Voicesões.
21:11And there's a lot of those guys out there.
21:13He's really right.
21:16I can't wait for that.
21:24I can't wait for those.
21:26I get the Aggregion selfie detest.
21:27And there's a great fight box.
21:29And there's no guarantees.
21:29And there's no Technology guy that's been launched in thell.
21:36Whoa!
21:36Oh shit!
22:0810 point lead for the Cavs let's
22:18take a look at our FanDuel live
22:20point spread for today's game
22:25start of the game five and a
22:26half currently eleven and a half
22:29the Cavaliers live point spread
22:32and Ty Jerome coming off of the
22:34bench four points five rebounds
22:37Hunter with seven Hunter into Ty
22:41Jerome along with Mobley Donovan
22:44Mitchell Max Struis slight
22:50difference game clock shot clock
22:57shot clock down Struis got it at
23:01the end of this opening quarter a
23:0413 point lead the Cavs in the
23:08quarter on a twenty seven to five
23:10run over the last 630 Greg that is
23:13the reason why they have one of the
23:15two best records in the league the
23:20twenty twenty five NBA playoffs are
23:23presented by Google the second quarter
23:28moments ago Taylor Rooks was joined by
23:31Jared Allen all right Jared in the
23:35midst of that twenty seven to five
23:37run in the huddle you all were saying
23:38great response what changed just our
23:40defensive intensity I feel like we
23:42picked it up caused a lot of turnovers
23:43and capitalized off of them and like
23:45you said your defense is really
23:46leading to good offense what do you
23:48need to continue to do on that end of
23:50the floor just push the ball and share
23:51the ball every time we got one or
23:53two more passes and offense we got
23:54a good shot earlier thank you so
23:56much back to you GA seven first
23:59quarter turnovers leading to a
24:01dozen points that and then the
24:03second shot opportunity to the
24:05first five on the second shots is
24:07Donovan Knox down the triple plus
24:09ten off the turnovers and that's
24:11just a formula for success and one
24:14that the Heat will not be able to
24:15overcome if they can't show up
24:17particularly taking care of the
24:19basketball up 16 now Davey on
24:24Mitchell Struz in front of them
24:28Duncan Robinson checking in clock
24:32down it's going to be a shot clock
24:34violation the eight turnover by
24:37Miami they now have thirty six in
24:40this series and you can just see how
24:42disciplined defensively this calf
24:45team is they know the personnel and
24:48they are not allowing the Heat to
24:50play the style they want to play he
24:52get it stopped cast back in
24:55transition at a bio with Mobley
24:59draped all over high Smith the shot
25:02doesn't go you can tell me a lot of
25:06times in the regular season you know
25:09it'll tell you who you can be but
25:11the postseason really does tell you
25:13who you are and you can see that
25:14offensively this heat group
25:16struggling just to generate good
25:19looks here against this stifling
25:21calf defense Struz puts it on the
25:24deck wraparound pass over to
25:27Hunter clock down and Hunter has
25:32arrived here in South Florida how
25:35good has Hunter and Ty Jerome when
25:38he was out there had they been off
25:40that calf bench you include the
25:44regular season the calves have
25:46averaged nearly 119 points against
25:51the Heat a top 10 D for six
25:55consecutive seasons baby on the
25:58Mitchell can't go anywhere against
26:00Mobley but out of bio with a clock
26:03down in the corner that's a heck of a
26:06shot by out of bio but you can just
26:09see offensively right now they
26:10don't have anything to create
26:12high quality shots against that
26:16calf defense Yoavich flies in able
26:21to get the rebound he's not able to
26:26get out in transition here's Davey
26:28out back to back threes that was so
26:31big for them Kenny Atkinson can
26:33sense it doesn't want to allow too
26:35much momentum to get started here
26:38for the heat thirty nine twenty
26:40six nine thirty six remaining in
26:42the first half this summer teams
26:47from around the globe will go head
26:49to head on U.S. soil battling it
26:52out for the trophy and of course a
26:54title of world's best soccer
26:55club the inaugural FIFA Club World
26:58Cup begins June 14th on TNT and
27:02streaming on DAZN coming out of the
27:05timeout Miami quick six points in
27:13twenty seven seconds left to that
27:17timeout get the stuff he looked
27:22like the Cavs defensively on that
27:24position terrific job on that
27:27point of attack defense there from
27:29Mitchell on Mitchell that really
27:30disrupts the whole play when you
27:32would stop that initial rust it
27:35allows your defense to stay locked
27:37in to keep bodies on bodies and
27:39that was an example of it there on
27:41that possession Darius Garland
27:44out re-aggravated his big toe left
27:50big toe in game two in the fourth
27:53quarter second foul on Strews at a
27:58bio over to Davion Mitchell in the
28:01corner Yovitz a three weak side
28:04Mobley battling out of Iowa last
28:06touched by the Cavs it's Miami
28:08ball and they've had the heat a
28:10couple opportunities where they
28:11created an opportunity for Bam to
28:14attack Mobley with no help and
28:17he's been a little reluctant he's
28:19going to have to look to win that
28:20matchup more often here they're
28:22going to get a baseline out of
28:24bounds foul it's going to be a
28:26free throw here for the heat
28:29Kenny Atkinson we talked about
28:33rebounding with him and he said
28:35we're doing old school rebounding
28:37drills we're trying to do
28:38everything we can but yet the
28:41numbers just aren't changing for
28:42them so it's interesting listening
28:44to him talk about that part of the
28:46issue Robinson able to knock down
28:48the free throw that's an instinct
28:50thing like people you can drill
28:52things to get better but if you're
28:54not instinctively a rebounder and
28:57you'll see that in our league
28:58there's certain guys they just
28:59have a neck a Josh Hart in New
29:01York certain guys that just have
29:03a knack for the ball tracking it
29:05it's instinctual form some of
29:07their guys that's not necessarily
29:09their strength and you get
29:10another unforced error there and
29:12bam again just not really looking
29:15to take advantage of his skill set I
29:17think he's a guy out of bio that he
29:19can drive get into the team and
29:22force to help that's what they need
29:24with their offense they've got to
29:25figure out a way to get Cleveland in
29:27rotation Isaac Okoro checks in
29:32the field to get it into the front
29:35court through pressure under 10 of
29:37the shot clock Donovan Mitchell
29:40shot clock down to five working
29:43against Highsmith in the paint
29:45rising up what a beautiful shot
29:48that that's about as good as you're
29:50going to defend it but Donovan
29:51Mitchell just too special of a
29:53player short corner there you go he's
29:59gonna have to do more though like
30:01he's got BAM's not at what I call a
30:03natural score but he's just gonna
30:05have to take the onus upon him
30:07especially with this lineup that
30:08they have on the floor to create
30:11more opportunities
30:14Strews with a three doesn't go
30:18flying in offensive rebound and
30:20Okoro with a putback yeah and it's
30:22like they're just kind of getting
30:24whatever they want right there the
30:26timely offensive rebound
30:29out of Iowa pressure to buy Mobley
30:37batted away Mitchell finds High
30:40Smith he was so good on a
30:42Wednesday night from downtown five
30:45of six and 17 points he was
30:49terrific and boy what a good break
30:51there for Miami Cavaliers defense
30:58and G.A. has certainly been a
31:00factor and sometimes you don't
31:01appreciate just how good they are
31:03led by their defensive player of
31:05the year and ever Mobley but they at
31:08the point of attack you can see how
31:10that ball just goes around and
31:13they're able to get deflections
31:14they're able to play passing
31:16lanes because they don't allow you
31:18to consistently break down their
31:19defense and you're going to be
31:21reluctant because of what they
31:22have on that back line with Allen
31:24and mobile best offensive rating on
31:27the road in the NBA 13th defensive
31:31rating on the road have been
31:33tremendous here in the first half
31:36against the heat to run shop doesn't go
31:40batted by out of bio baby on the
31:43Mitchell caps get back in transition
31:45to Mitchell at the elbow cut off
31:47out of bio kicks it over to Wiggins
31:52Wiggins now they'll swing it
31:55Davion on the attack in the corner
31:58and Drew Scott over and it's going
32:04to be Cavs ball now even though
32:07they don't score there that's what
32:09their possessions need to look
32:10like they've got to get two feet
32:12in that paint to force Cleveland to
32:15at least get in rotation much
32:16better job on that possession
32:25Okoro over now to Jerome
32:28shot clock under 10
32:30Struis guarded by the length of
32:33Wiggins the three
32:35Andrew Wiggins Wow
32:38that's a mental breakdown there
32:41about Wiggins you know Struis can
32:44shoot the basketball you cannot give
32:46up airspace there
32:47he was three and three on a
32:51Wednesday night
32:52from three point range in the
32:55second quarter when they made a
32:57NBA record eleven threes the NBA and
33:00TNT is brought to you by nerd
33:02wallet and Struis three is six now
33:07from three point range every shot
33:09in this series has been from three
33:12from Max Struis and that's the
33:15issue you know the game plan is to
33:17not give him three just a
33:20miscommunication there out of my
33:23ball thinking he's gonna be in the
33:24corner and Wiggins start sliding up
33:26on that sideline but like with a
33:29guy like Struis your job is to not
33:33let him shoot three you've got to
33:34make him a driver and that's where
33:36execution defensively becomes so
33:39important here for the Heat
33:40Jerome attacking Larson batted up by
33:45Struis and taken by Hero 14 point
33:50deficit for the Miami Heat Hero clean
33:55look the three no and a collision and
34:03the fouls gonna go against Highsmith and
34:06the Miami Heat Chris Quinn and Eric
34:09Spolstra talking about what they want
34:11to do next you can see the reach in
34:14there by Highsmith the third on High
34:18Smith it's been physical out there but
34:27generally when the grabbing starts
34:29is where the officials are gonna say
34:30nah they're gonna let you use your
34:32body to kind of dictate the
34:34physicality but the grabbing and
34:37reaching they're gonna try to sway
34:39you away from Jovich in here's
34:43Hunter attacking Jovich and it's
34:47gonna be a foul on Jovich Jovich very
34:51critical of himself after game two he
34:54said the stuff at the end it cost us
34:56the game and I need to be better
34:59right he was 0 of 4 from 3 had two
35:01critical turnovers but a 21 year
35:05old and a right hand injury his
35:10last regular season game February
35:12the 23rd as Hunter makes the
35:14first let's take a look at today's
35:16NBA playoff schedule next on TNT
35:19the Thunder and the Grizzlies game
35:21four how about that comeback
35:23but good Denver and the Clippers
35:26game four six o'clock Eastern on
35:28TNT and then the Rockets and the
35:30Warriors game three tonight 830 on
35:32ABC
35:38back to a 16 point advantage
35:43at a bio in the paint jumper
35:45doesn't go hunter yeah they're
35:47getting some better looks here but
35:49they've got to be able to cover up top
35:53as you mentioned earlier Cavs getting
35:56what they want everything transition
35:59three point shots dominant defensively
36:03Ty Jerome continues to excel how about
36:05the chemistry with the chemistry with heat and Allen
36:16first round coverage on TNT is presented by
36:19nerd wallet Cavaliers lead 5032 as we send it over to
36:24Taylor Rooks thanks Matt in the heat huddle they were
36:28preaching make them dribble make them put the ball on the floor we have to get going
36:32OBS he said they have to get stopped but also said pay attention to those offensive rebounds
36:36do not let them win that battle at a bio now 304 from downtown he's got 13 points
36:48in the paint 24 to 6 jerome in the paint again
36:55and Allen throws it off of a bio he was already out of bounds yeah and that's an example what Taylor was
37:00talking about right there force the Cavs to continue to put the ball on the floor don't allow
37:06them to get in there and then swing it and just create rhythm shots
37:11they're exposed to telling us both games game one game two it's been those five to six minute
37:19stretches and they've been in one here Wiggins and he is fouled he'll go to the line and I get the
37:27sense that Wiggins is the guy that they have from an athletic standpoint and an attack mindset that
37:33can win one on one matchups here against the Cavs
37:37download the FanDuel Sportsbook app today and make every playoff moment more on America's number one sportsbook
37:49Wiggins misses the first Mobley and Mitchell checking in for the Cavs
37:56a lead by 15
38:01their largest lead 19
38:03lead by as many as 19 in game two and then the heat in the fourth quarter made it a
38:13one possession game
38:16Mobley
38:18people have to try to do it again
38:21against the Cavs down big
38:25top Allen has just been tremendous six to six from the field
38:30and then just another terrific climb by Mobley who's limping a little bit right now
38:38Yovic
38:40on the deck
38:41Wiggins side step three
38:45at a bio offensive rebound
38:49Yovic the open look
38:52Allen with a rebound
38:55more than capable of shooting that but he had an opportunity
38:57for one more pass to get it to hero and
39:00Jared Allen just having his way
39:03on the way just assaulting the rim right now
39:06for the Cavs
39:07he can't be stopped everything right at the iron
39:12seven to seven
39:14Larson
39:16out of bio met by Hunter
39:18and a travel and another turnover
39:20over the 11th
39:25we talked about being a little hobble mobile you see right there bang knees
39:30with add a bio
39:34but then here just a great job of
39:37Allen just attacking the rim space but they their execution in this first half has been flawless
39:44offensively
39:44and they're going to the paint
39:49scoop shot no
39:51chance to get out and go for the heat
39:55Mitchell finds Wiggins Wiggins is fouled by Hunter
39:59we haven't seen much of that right where the the heat get out in transition
40:04Cavs have just owned the paint in this game
40:08and they've just dictated the pace and tempo with which it's been played
40:12coming up it's the American Express halftime report with Adam Lefkoe Shaq
40:18Jalen Rose and Charles Barkley all coming up at halftime
40:24fifty four thirty five two forty five left here
40:29in this first half as Wiggins first is good
40:33and you just not you see Darius Garland
40:36maybe he had a premonition
40:38take this one off just give that foot a chance to heal
40:43we're loaded and sometimes you do when you watch Cleveland you can see just why they were so dominant right
40:47they really don't have
40:49any weaknesses there's nothing that you can look at and say hey we can attack them in this area
40:54they got great positional size they got rim protection they shoot the lights out of it and they got two guards that
41:00he can't
41:01he can't grab more than one and over there with just another beat down on the rim
41:07getting what they want on the inside early in the postseason right the expectations of this top seed is a deep run in the postseason
41:17and Garland you know a couple of days right yeah and this team
41:22a lot better version of what we saw from the season
41:26no question about that
41:27you know
41:28as hero collects a three his first of the day
41:33now you got two minutes to go to finish this half if you're the heat can you get this thing
41:39into the single digits
41:41donovan mitchell
41:44started by davion
41:47up fake off of the foot of merrill
41:51shot clock down to three
41:52Mitchell and a turnover yo vitch davion lays it up and they're going to count the bucket goaltending
42:06need to see more of that yeah well it's done because of the defense and then you get a few runouts
42:11get something easy in transition that's one way to get some confidence in the rhythm back into your offense
42:17the defense wiggins working on Hunter Hunter
42:24attacking strong take and foul by wiggins
42:30for the most part it's been a just an onslaught on the rim and again great offensive execution
42:37terrific job of passing and not talk a lot of times with bigs their ability the space to paint and
42:43And Mobley and Allen two guys
42:45that do a terrific job of
42:47creating angles for their
42:49teammates to deliver them the
42:51ball and the Cavaliers don't
42:56miss a playoff moment with the
42:59NBA app download the app today
43:01for the latest scores
43:02highlights and behind the scenes
43:03access to all the drama.
43:07Merrill checks out.
43:08Hunter at the line in the first
43:16half for DeAndre Hunter coming
43:18over at the trade deadline from
43:20Atlanta he's got 14 here in the
43:23first half of game three he's
43:25just gotten better and better
43:27with each game.
43:31So that's so that's an example
43:33what we mean about this shell
43:35defense when you cannot get into
43:37the teeth of it and you have to
43:39just consistently pass it around
43:41the perimeter it puts you as an
43:44offensive player on your heel.
43:45It doesn't get you into an attack
43:47mindset because you can't play
43:50down here how much of that is
43:52helped by the versatility of an
43:54Evan Mobley being able to guard
43:56one through five.
43:58It's no question but then it's
43:59also Jared Allen you can see
44:01there he can move his feet he
44:03can play in space and that's the
44:05modern big like that's what makes
44:07it's like you hear this a lot of
44:08people saw they don't defend the
44:10day folks these guys defended
44:11every bit as as well as anybody
44:13they just have to defend more of
44:15the court and they have to ask
44:17guys to play as as a big man
44:19they've got to play 30 35 feet in
44:22the basket now it's not the age
44:23school kind of good.
44:25You're going to see Hunter getting
44:26back to the line when you've got
44:27seven footers like Allen and
44:29Mobley that can guard one through
44:31five that just completely takes
44:33away a lot of what you want to do
44:35offensively and you've seen that
44:36Tyler here was a great offensive
44:37player he has to resort to
44:40shooting fadeaway threes because
44:42he can't get by a guy like Allen
44:44or a guy like Mobley this this
44:46Cavs team they are going to be a
44:48problem for opposing offenses.
44:56May 25th the magic is back and the
44:59adventure is just beginning in the
45:01librarians at next chapter don't
45:03miss the two night premiere event
45:06starting May 25th on TNT.
45:09So a lot of conversation about the
45:11physicality there is a ton of
45:13physicality out on the perimeter
45:15in today's NBA.
45:16It is and I think that that's also
45:19was a concern with this Cavs team
45:21from a year ago right.
45:22They just they force you to almost
45:27play perfect offensively and this
45:29Heat team right now just a little
45:31lax and lacking in terms of what
45:35they can do offensively.
45:37It's going to take a huge second
45:38half by the Heat.
45:43Cavs have been in control here in
45:45the first half Mobley over top
45:48takes Wiggins into the paint it
45:50goes to work.
45:52That's the difference between
45:53Evan Mobley last year and this
45:55year he couldn't win that battle
45:57consistently against high level
45:59defense.
46:00Largest lead and the first half
46:04comes to a close the Cavaliers a
46:08dominant first half performance
46:10impressive when you think of the
46:11fact that Donovan Mitchell only
46:16six points no Darius Garland no
46:19problem before this number one
46:20seeded Cleveland Cavaliers team
46:22Allen was 16 Hunter was 16 that's
46:27the end of the first half after
46:29the break we'll send you to our
46:30TNT studios for the American
46:33Express halftime report you're
46:35watching NBA playoffs first round
46:37coverage on TNT presented by
46:41nerd wallet.
46:47Yeah.
46:48Yeah.
46:48Yes we're doing it as a team.
46:59Yes they are the Cavaliers with the
47:01lead Matt Devin.
Be the first to comment