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00:00Salt Lake City, just outside of the Delta Center,
00:03the home of both the Jazz and the NHL.
00:06A mammoth tip-off between the Cavaliers and the Jazz
00:09is only moments away.
00:11Let's take a look at the injury report.
00:12It is long.
00:14As for the Cavaliers, it was announced a couple of days ago
00:16that both Jalen Tyson and Dean Wade
00:19will miss this entire road trip.
00:21Both Jaren Allen and Max Struess
00:23are returning to full strength.
00:25They both will not play this evening
00:26with the back-to-back looming in L.A.
00:29tomorrow as soon both will play against the Lakers
00:32once the Cavs arrive in L.A.
00:35You saw there on the Jazz side,
00:37this is a Jazz team playing a lot of youngsters.
00:40As for the Cavaliers, this is the second time
00:42they'll go with this lineup, and it's a small lineup
00:44as Keyon Ellis slots in alongside Sam Merrill.
00:48So four guards plus Evan Mobley get the start here this evening,
00:52and there is the 19-year-old Ace Bailey.
00:55Kennedy Chandler signed to a 10-day contract.
00:58Will make his first NBA start as Will Hardy has been shuffling the deck here
01:03over the last couple of weeks with a whole lot of Jazz regulars out of that lineup.
01:09More on that as we roll along as Evan Mobley and Kyle Filipowski step to the center circle.
01:15The Cavaliers win the tip, and we are underway.
01:18John Michael, Brad Doherty, and Serena Winters.
01:21Thanks so much for joining us.
01:22Near the seat, Keyon Ellis takes the feed.
01:24It got stripped by the Ohio State alum and Bryce Sensibov.
01:28Comes to Filipowski.
01:30Boy, Filipowski and Sensibov have done a lion's share of the damage
01:33for the Jazz over the last couple of weeks.
01:36As Cody Williams freaks baseline, out it goes to Sensibov.
01:39His three rims out, Merrill strips it away from Filipowski, and here comes Donovan Mitchell.
01:44Yeah, Filipowski's really starting to develop into a really nice host player at this league level.
01:49Can shoot the lights out of the basketball.
01:51He's got good hands.
01:52Sensibov has been shooting lights out, shooting almost 45% from three-point line,
01:56just really playing good basketball.
01:58So they've got a good young nucleus here in Utah.
02:00They're going to be, as time goes on, a couple more draft picks here or there next year, man.
02:04They could be a real problem.
02:05The Jazz lost big man Walker Kessler really early in the season to a shoulder injury
02:11as it's Bailey who cuts to the basket and takes the feed from Filipowski.
02:15A silver lining is that Filipowski has been allowed to develop.
02:19They, of course, made the big trade for Jaron Jackson.
02:22Jackson is recovering from a knee injury, but, boy, if you look ahead to next season
02:26as that foul is on Filipowski, there is a load of size here in Salt Lake City
02:32as it's Bailey who takes the feed from the 6'11 Filipowski.
02:36Yeah, Kessler, who's been injured, is primarily a shot blocker
02:39and more of just a real dominant player around the goal.
02:42If you get Filipowski, you can move out, shoot the basketball a little bit, good hand,
02:46put a better passer, got two really opposing big guys.
02:51Harden gets the Cavs on the board.
02:52You'll have next season the 6'11 Jaron Jackson and the 7-footer Lowry Markkinen.
02:57Kessler's 7'1.
02:58By the way, that jumper is true.
03:01Kyle Filipowski, 6'11.
03:03Yousef Nurkic is still on the roster.
03:05He's a 7-footer, so a team that's really struggled defensively
03:09over the last handful of seasons as Harden uncorks a three.
03:13We'll have some monsters in this building next season
03:17and as Williams got stripped by Mitchell, Mitchell had a foot on the baseline,
03:21said our crew chief David Guthrie, so the ball belongs to the Javs.
03:26Nice job by Donovan, really improved on moving his feet defensively,
03:29digging that ball out of there.
03:30You know, a couple of years ago, you'd see Donovan reach a little bit more.
03:34He's really worked hard on being step-for-step,
03:37a little bit more fundamentally sound defensively,
03:39and it showed up in his play this season.
03:41Donovan, of course, spent the first five seasons of his career here in Utah.
03:44Mobley knocks that away from Filipowski, and out comes the 7-footer in Mobley.
03:48Mobley right through Williams, double-clunches,
03:51and he tucks home the putback as Evan Mobley, with authority,
03:55ties this game early at 4.
03:57Yeah, that's grown man stuff right there from Evan Mobley,
04:00and we're seeing more and more glimpses of that this season,
04:02especially in the second half of where he just wants to get to that goal
04:05and destroy it.
04:07Cody Williams has really struggled from long range this season.
04:10He misses a three there, Filipowski spins.
04:12Mobley loomed and Mobley altered that shot.
04:15It was really heartwarming to hear this sold-out crowd
04:18give Donovan Mitchell such a warm ovation when he was introduced.
04:23Yeah, they did.
04:24Three seconds later, he completely booed James Harden,
04:27who has done so much damage.
04:28He does some damage, both those guys have done some damage.
04:31Cody Williams leaks out.
04:33Like, are we going to boo Donovan or are we going to boo James?
04:35We're going to boo one of them.
04:36It turned immediately from warm cheers to anything but warmth for James
04:43as Ellis got Bailey on a whoa, big flyby.
04:47He was forking something to the bench as Merrill's three doesn't go.
04:50Bailey recovers and grabs the defensive rebound.
04:53Now scurries Kennedy Chandler.
04:54He tried to find Bailey as Ellis saw that earlier.
04:57He was wise and knocked it away.
04:59Merrill drives and lays it in.
05:01The local product, Sammy Merrill, gets on the board.
05:03I saw about 20 people backstage with blonde hair, blue eyes.
05:07Looked like they just came in from Iceland.
05:09I said, you guys are Merrill's.
05:10There's no doubt about it.
05:12He has 21 folks in the stands.
05:15Saw his beautiful family earlier.
05:17Oh, they're beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.
05:18I said, gee, the Merrill's are Michael's.
05:20It's one of the two.
05:21There's no SPFs that can withstand that skin.
05:26I'll tell you that right now.
05:27Mitchell over the top of Chandler.
05:29He'll float it up and float it in.
05:30No redheads, so it's the Merrill's.
05:32That's right, the Merrill's here.
05:33They're close enough.
05:36Not saying much for that family.
05:38It's over the top of Williams, it goes, and out of bounds.
05:428-11 to go here in the early going.
05:44Opening minutes from Utah.
05:46Evan Mobley all the way.
05:47Missed the first, doesn't miss the second.
05:49Love that aggressiveness.
05:50Love that strength.
05:52You know, and the Cavs looks so good against Miami.
05:55Jared Allen stepped back in.
05:56He and Evan just picked up like nothing had happened,
05:59so I'm encouraged by that.
06:01Evan just continues to work on being a workhorse.
06:04You know, learning to play through things regardless of what the stats look like.
06:08Being there, giving his best effort, he's going to get there.
06:11He's going to be a great, great player one day in this league,
06:13and just putting all these pieces to the puzzle together.
06:16Mobley, well, inbound or find Donovan Mitchell.
06:20Mitchell fires the three as Donovan gets on the board.
06:23You know, the game you were talking about,
06:24Jared Allen came back on Friday when the Cavs
06:27eventually lost to Miami two nights previously by just throttling the heat, 149-128.
06:33The Cavs set a franchise record for the most points ever scored in regulation.
06:37There's Filipowski inside.
06:39It was Harden, by the way, who had bounded that ball to Donovan Mitchell.
06:43The Cavs led by a whopping 35.
06:46Mobley tears right past Filipowski.
06:48Nobody's home, and Mobley dunks to get the Cavaliers this five-point lead.
06:53Mobley zigged, and Filipowski zagged.
06:56Mobley just so quick.
06:57Evan's such a problem for a guy like Filipowski,
06:59who doesn't have the greatest of foot speed.
07:01He's trying to give Evan a little space, and Evan's just so fast.
07:04It'll go by now.
07:06Cavs got to do a better job at this, John.
07:07This is something that we've talked about.
07:08Kenny Atkinson's talked about this.
07:10Offensively, the efficiency rate is off the charts with the Cavaliers.
07:14Best in the league, historical numbers.
07:16And we've got to come up with better defense on that perimeter nightly
07:20if we're going to be a solid team in the playoffs.
07:23They've committed to it.
07:24We're doing better at three-point shots, especially that corner shot,
07:27even though he just made it.
07:28We were third from the bottom at defending that.
07:31Now we're up to 16, so we're getting better.
07:36Kenny Atkinson on cue.
07:37Wants to get his team's attention here in this first quarter.
07:40Evan Mobley with a strong start at both ends as Mobley in that paint,
07:45right to the rim.
07:47Off we go here in Salt Lake City.
07:52A piece here inside the Delta Center as we look at the live odds,
07:55courtesy of FanDuo.
07:57You can play the Cavs right now at a minus 16 and a half.
08:00Cavs plus over Parleys at 2.48.
08:04Second to two meetings between these teams.
08:06The first came back in mid-January in Cleveland,
08:09and the Jazz came to town and took out the Cavs, 1-23, 1-12.
08:13The Jazz got 60 of their 123 points from Lowry Marketing and Keontae George,
08:19neither of whom will play here this evening as, meanwhile,
08:23Dennis Schroeder has checked in.
08:24He replaces Donovan Mitchell.
08:27Cobley takes the feed from Harden, takes his time and throws it down.
08:30Yeah, you're the Cavaliers.
08:31You're looking to wear this team down.
08:33Their starting five is formidable.
08:35This is no – these guys are not pushovers,
08:37and they're in a lot of basketball games just as they go through rotations
08:41because of injury and lack of depth.
08:43It really hurts them.
08:44So Cavs just got to be consistent.
08:46You don't want to get in a shootout, but he's got –
08:48so sometimes they're not running offense for Utah very cohesively.
08:52They're just getting up shots playing one-on-one.
08:54You don't want to do that because that takes you out of your discipline.
08:58Cobley flips and scores over Filipowski.
09:00This is a team that will surrender a lot of points.
09:04The Jazz this year have given up 125 and a half points per game.
09:07That's the most in the NBA in 35 years.
09:11Whoo!
09:11You have to go all the way back to the Nuggets during the 90-91 season.
09:15Do you remember how that team used to get up and down the floor?
09:17Oh, man, I played against that.
09:17He's oxygen.
09:19Oh, my goodness.
09:20This is unbelievable.
09:21They scored 155 points.
09:23Filipowski gets fouled by Mobley.
09:25I had a lung coming out of my nose trying to run up there.
09:28I was chasing Blair Rash because it was the center.
09:29Like, this is silly, man.
09:31You guys slow down.
09:32What are we doing?
09:33No defense at all.
09:34They scored a lot.
09:35They surrendered a lot.
09:37Yeah, they didn't guard anybody.
09:38They just ran.
09:41Filipowski gets fouled.
09:42You ready for an unusual stat?
09:45Yep, I'm ready.
09:46All right.
09:46The Utah Jazz this season have won 13 games at home here in this building.
09:53Their record against the Cavaliers Central Division here in this building is 4-0.
09:59They have beaten the Pacers, the Bulls, the Bucs, and the Pistons.
10:04I would not have thought that.
10:06But they got guys that can play.
10:08I'm telling you.
10:10But you look at this.
10:11You put Laurie Markman out on the floor.
10:12They can go.
10:14They got size that we talked about earlier.
10:17They got scoring.
10:18They got athletes.
10:19That's incredible.
10:21They are looking for the clean sweep of the Central.
10:25Harden.
10:25Wow.
10:26Cavs have to represent.
10:27Yeah, we got to represent tonight.
10:29Cavs need this game.
10:30Indeed.
10:31The Central Division of Legion is so strong.
10:33Oh, yeah.
10:33We love everybody.
10:35Harden cuts to the basket as he tears around Filipowski and gives the Cavaliers this 19-15 edge.
10:41Pull-in for everyone in the Central Division.
10:45Harden has dished out three assists.
10:47He has a couple of buckets as Will Hardy will take a timeout.
10:53Glad Utah's beat everybody else.
10:55Good.
10:58Utah Cavaliers up four.
11:00And Utah is obviously a special place for both of these two guys.
11:03But especially for Sam Merrill.
11:04We're only about 10 miles from where he went to high school.
11:08About an hour and a half from his alma mater, Utah State.
11:11And I was talking to him today at Shootaround.
11:13And we are only about six rows away from where he remembers being in this building
11:19for Donovan Mitchell's first game, his NBA debut here against the Denver Nuggets
11:24since he grew up a huge fan.
11:25So, for him, it's kind of crazy that Donovan is not only his NBA teammate, guys,
11:29but also the guy that he sits next to on the plane.
11:32Now, he said one of his favorite guys in the entire world
11:34and one of the best superstars in the league.
11:37And Donovan said that Sam is one of his favorite guys as well,
11:40that he's closest with on the team.
11:42And reminisce about how he remembers playing pickup with them
11:44when he was back at Utah State.
11:46I also asked Kenny about those two watching him go on the plane.
11:49He called them just basketball geeks, just so desperate for improvement.
11:52And there's not a lot of guys in that bucket.
11:54So, they just get along great guys.
11:57James Harden in the Cavaliers' run, 19-18 as Filipowski commits the personal.
12:02Go ahead.
12:02Great story.
12:03And just for all the young kids out there, you know, who hear that,
12:07you know, just never give up on your dreams.
12:09Sam Merrill's sitting there dreaming of one day maybe playing against Donovan Mitchell,
12:13just being like Donovan Mitchell.
12:14And now today sitting beside him.
12:16So, hard work, perseverance.
12:19You're going to get knocked down.
12:20Just keep getting back up.
12:21And don't let anyone put a period at the end of your sentence.
12:24You can do it.
12:25You can accomplish it.
12:26Sam Merrill was the 60th and final pick of the 2020 draft.
12:32Long road.
12:33Here he sits.
12:34Grinded it out in the NBA G League.
12:36Never quit.
12:37This young man deserves every single thing that he has got.
12:41100%.
12:42100%.
12:4321 Merrill's in attendance.
12:45They're here.
12:45Here tonight should be brought.
12:46They are here in force.
12:512018 is the Cavalier lead.
12:54Colby Williams, a second-year man out of Colorado,
12:57will find Kennedy Chandler.
12:59Chandler back to Williams.
13:00Williams fumbles.
13:01Harden with his head up.
13:02Shoots it ahead to Schroeder.
13:03Now to Ellis.
13:04Broken up.
13:05The play there by Bailey.
13:05However, Bailey got whistled for a foul.
13:08Officials tonight are crew chief David Guthrie.
13:11The referee is J.B. DeRosa.
13:12And our umpire is J.B. Rawls.
13:17Good fast break here.
13:18James Harden excellent in those outlet passes.
13:21See the foul right there.
13:22Nice job running down that hill.
13:24Just kidding the official J.B. DeRosa a little bit.
13:26He's an Ohio guy.
13:28I told him, you know, give us a few calls.
13:31We might give you a ride back home.
13:33I'm sure he loved that.
13:34I love that.
13:35Instead of going, you know, having to go to Cleveland Hopkins, wait, you know.
13:40Your officials love those guys' discussion.
13:42I was trying.
13:42He wouldn't even eyeball them.
13:44Cameras and microphones everywhere.
13:46Yeah, he's like, Brad, please get away from me.
13:47Just five calls.
13:48We'll get you home.
13:49Harden from the Jazz logo.
13:51The shot clock winds to four off to Mitchell.
13:54Mitchell with a pump fake.
13:55Fires a Mayday three.
13:57It's rebounded by Filipowski.
13:58He'll outlet the newly acquired John Conchar.
14:01He was picked up in the Jaron Jackson deal from the Grizzlies.
14:05We'll talk more about that as this ball game progresses again.
14:09It sets the Jazz up nicely for seasons to come as Filipowski wanders in toward Thomas Bryan.
14:14Filipowski couldn't get there.
14:16And now he'll fire a three that's long, tipped by a number of Cavaliers,
14:20and eventually squeezed by Harden.
14:23Good gang box out by Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Greg Porter.
14:26Nice job showing the commitment to the defensive end, working on those habits.
14:30As well, but Porter back to the lineup as Thomas Bryan misfired on a three.
14:36Chandler up ahead to Conchar who runs the floor, but Bryan got there and made the rejection.
14:40Mitchell basket hangs and lays it in.
14:43He twisted his ankle there a little bit.
14:46Seems to be much better.
14:48He's always much better at the score bucket anyway.
14:50He's a bunch better.
14:51William from mid-range.
14:58Harden picked up by Sensabaugh.
15:01Sensabaugh has really spread his wings and this is third NBA season.
15:04Thomas Bryan had that knocked away by Filipowski.
15:07And now Chuggs Sensabaugh.
15:09Sensabaugh around hard, down the lane.
15:11Too easy.
15:12Yeah, the thing with Sensabaugh is he can shoot the lights out of it,
15:15but he's a scorer.
15:16You know, he's sturdy.
15:17Good, like I say, good dribble-fry penetration.
15:20Does a good job.
15:21He's a heck of a two-guard man.
15:22Really can score that basketball.
15:24Fruiter slashes and scores.
15:26Sensabaugh over his last seven games is averaging 26 points at night.
15:30And this is a young man averaging 14 on the season.
15:34He's really put some things together.
15:36Filipowski continues to air it out as Filipowski's fourth attempt to triple.
15:41He's hit a pair and he has given the Jazz this 25-24 lead.
15:46The Cavs have a big grade on the defensive end, on the exterior,
15:50allowing two easy shots, two easy of a shot.
15:53That dribble drive down the lane, you've got to stop that.
15:55No layups should be the mantra of anyone who wears the wine and gold.
15:59You're just not giving up layups.
16:01You think you can get up a foul.
16:02Harden's three is perfect.
16:04Don't want it to be a shooting contest.
16:05You know, you want to stop people and dominate.
16:11As we mentioned on the other side of the break,
16:13particularly against this Jazz team,
16:15it just gives up a load of points for ball game.
16:19They want to play shootout basketball.
16:22Sets the ball.
16:22Got into the paint.
16:24Couldn't finish.
16:24Porter with the rebound.
16:26And then Porter gets fouled.
16:28So that play that the Jazz just ran,
16:30that was actually a broken down play
16:32and ended up getting a good shot because of the drive.
16:37There's a good look at Craig Porter as we pause for a word from Spectrum.
16:43It's internet, mobile, and streaming TV all from one place.
16:47It's only everything.
16:51John Michael, Brad Doherty, and Serena Winters.
16:54Closing minutes, opening quarter.
16:56First game of a three-game road trip.
17:01Truder works on newly inserted Oscar Sheeway.
17:05Truder goes to work halfway down the alley,
17:08throws all the breaks left and short.
17:09Brian got a fingertip on it.
17:11So did Tomlin.
17:12But eventually it's grabbed by the Jazz's Williams.
17:17Williams tears inside.
17:18Again, the Jazz have been getting to the paint relatively easily
17:21here in this first quarter.
17:22Yeah, got to shore that up.
17:23Got to shore that up.
17:24They're going to get an earful from Kenny Atkinson on that.
17:27That's been one of his pet peeves.
17:29We've got to get better there defending the three ball.
17:32So got to focus on that.
17:34You know, the Jazz comes down and every other play they run,
17:37a dedicated play, you defend solidly.
17:40And then other times they come down and it's just kind of one-on-one basketball
17:44and we just kind of don't know where we're supposed to end up.
17:46So just stay in front and guard your yard is what Coach Atkinson loves to say.
17:50Pez Embang, the rookie out of Yale, here on a ten-day contract commits the personal.
17:56You can make Rocket Arena your destination this month with Spring Break in the Land Family Fun Packs
18:02presented by Sheelys.
18:03Score four tickets and four fan meals starting at just $32 a ticket.
18:07Learn more at Cavs.com slash offers.
18:15Donovan Mitchell has one more free throw coming.
18:19He checked in seventh in the NBA in scoring at 28 a night.
18:24Good to see Craig Porter back on the floor.
18:26He missed the last seven games, hasn't appeared in a ball game in 17 days,
18:30was dealing with a groin injury.
18:32Boy, he missed his presence.
18:34Talking to Craig before the game, man, just missed it.
18:36You know, those extra rebounds and blocked shots.
18:39Just everything he brings to the Cavs.
18:41We need it.
18:43Oscar Shibwe floats it up and in.
18:4929-27 Cavaliers.
18:51Cavs are a plus ten in to Payton.
18:52Mitchell trying to find Thomas Bryan as Bryan angled toward the rim.
18:56That's deflected out of bounds.
18:58The ball will stay with the Cavs.
19:01Conovan trying to throw a little slick pass there,
19:03a little bullet chest to chest to Thomas.
19:06Jazz defender got the hands on it just for the last second.
19:08That would be a heck of a pass.
19:11Mitchell, a rip through.
19:13Foul is called on Shibwe.
19:15If you were with us on Friday, you saw Thomas Bryan pick up a technical
19:19as he took exception to a flagrant foul committed by Miami's Myron Gardner
19:23on a vulnerable Tyrese Proctor during a breakaway layup.
19:27We've come to expect nothing less out of Thomas.
19:30There's the reaching Chief Way who commits the personal.
19:33Yeah, Thomas didn't like that.
19:35I like that.
19:35Sticking up for your teammate.
19:37Letting these guys know you can't just try to hurt our guys just because, you know,
19:41you don't think anybody's paying attention.
19:43Play hard.
19:43Play fair.
19:44Good sportsmanship is always important.
19:47This man has been through the battles most recently as last year in the playoffs
19:52as a member of the Pacers.
19:55Pacers ended up in the NBA Finals.
19:59First, the Thunder to seven games is after the Mitchell free throws.
20:03The Cavalier lead is 31-27.
20:05Yeah, I think Thomas is really going to help us in spurts in the playoffs.
20:08He's got so much experience.
20:09As the game slows down, it gives him a chance to utilize some of that veteran experience
20:13and calling out different defenses and helping guys get through those tight screens,
20:18get those defensive rebounds.
20:20I really think he's going to be an asset.
20:24Williams from the elbow.
20:26That's a broken play.
20:28I shouldn't say broken play.
20:29That's just not a play that has a lot of integrity to it.
20:32It's not well-framed.
20:33That's just one-on-one basketball.
20:34Cavs got to adjust to that and defend it aggressively.
20:37Even double-team that ball.
20:38Take it away from him.
20:40Schroeder beats the shot clock.
20:42The shot is no good.
20:43And 12 minutes here in Utah are in the books.
20:47Donovan Mitchell, who played his first five seasons in this city,
20:50leads the way with 11 points.
20:52Kyle Filipowski is the high man for the Jazz.
20:55On to quarter two we go.
20:57This guy's by two.
21:05Cavalier Lee, there's a look at young head coach Will Hardy.
21:09The 38-year-old is already in his fourth season as the head coach in Utah.
21:13He has dealt with loads of injuries all season long.
21:17Take a look at this.
21:17Larry Markkinen averages 27 points tonight.
21:21Keontae George, 24 a night.
21:23Jaren Jackson, former defensive player of the year.
21:26Walker Kessler is a 7'1 monster.
21:28Yusef Nurkic weighs about 300 pounds.
21:31I mean, when healthy, looking forward to next year.
21:33This is going to be a fun team.
21:35The trade of Jaren Jackson changes everything around this play.
21:38Nurkic had 17 rebounds against us last time out.
21:42They get those guys back.
21:44You got to watch out.
21:46They're going to be something.
21:47You know, they shocked a lot of people.
21:49You don't necessarily see these blockbuster trades for a player like Jaren Jackson.
21:54He special goes to the left and couldn't get it to go.
21:57For a team that's where the Jazz were in the standings but the trade was made.
22:02It doesn't add up.
22:02You're looking at this team.
22:03They're not playing very well.
22:04And you're like, well, are they tanking?
22:05What are they doing?
22:06And then they get up with Jaren Jackson.
22:08You're like, okay, wait a minute.
22:09What's going on here?
22:10That guy's great.
22:11He's going to be unbelievable with these guys.
22:13So to get this guy, as he enjoyed that move by Donovan, the Jazz gave him three first.
22:18Taylor Hendricks, Walter Clayton, Kyle Anderson, and George Neang.
22:22Along with Jackson, they acquired Jon Conchar, who has played well for the Jazz this season.
22:27He has a chance to be around once things settle down next year.
22:32But this is a Jazz team that for the third consecutive season is ranked 30th.
22:37That's dead last in terms of defensive efficiency.
22:39And with this guy now on the roster, and he's going to be healthy coming into next season, presumably,
22:45things are really going to change around this joint.
22:47Oh, it's going to be.
22:48They're going to be right in the mix.
22:49No doubt about it.
22:50And Will's a really good basketball coach.
22:52Talk to a lot of coaches that know him and have coached with him.
22:54They think his pedigree is fantastic.
22:57He's just following the script, trying to get this team through, keep everybody healthy,
23:01keep building, putting the pieces in place.
23:02I would not be shocked to see this Jazz team in like fourth next year in the Western Conference.
23:08I would not be shocked.
23:09And to credit the Jazz front office, they did give up those three first,
23:12but Will Hardy was able to keep all of the young pieces around here that he likes.
23:16That's what you want.
23:16Because you're going through this process.
23:18Now you've got all this youth.
23:19Next year it's not youth, you know.
23:21And now all of a sudden you've got Jerry and Jack.
23:23You've got all these guys.
23:24You've got a cupboard full of talent.
23:27I'm telling you, they're going to shock some people.
23:29Different situation.
23:30But boy, the Cavs make that big trade obviously for Donovan Mitchell.
23:33But all of a sudden, everything changed.
23:35The dynamic changes.
23:36It changes everything.
23:37Just the feel changes.
23:39The whole conversation changes.
23:40The whole everything.
23:40Just a sensational trade as Bobley with the dunk.
23:43He runs the floor.
23:44Caps 33, Jazz 30.
23:49Ironic, of course, that this Jazz team is a team now making the deal.
23:54Perhaps noting what the Cavs did a couple of seasons ago with that deal for Donovan Mitchell.
23:59As here comes Dennis Schroeder pedaling into the forecourt.
24:02What a difference is made as Schroeder looks to penetrate.
24:05Tuck to bump.
24:06Puts it up.
24:06And Schroeder draws the foul.
24:08It's on Conchar.
24:09And Schroeder will shoot a couple of free throws as we check in with Serena.
24:14Well, John, outside of that last tunnel, one of the points that Kenny made was,
24:17Hey guys, we've got to read the game better, right?
24:18What is Utah doing right now?
24:20They're trying to drive every time they catch it.
24:23So we've got to read that better defensively.
24:24And then on the offensive end, he said,
24:26Look, we're looking to hit the roll guy a lot.
24:28So let's instead add some variety to the offense.
24:31Try something else.
24:32You know, pop a bit or find something else that's open.
24:35But not be so predictable with the offense.
24:38Kenny's Cavaliers are 46 and 28.
24:41They won 22 of their last 35 of their last six with eight to play.
24:47The Cavs will be in L.A. tomorrow to take on the Lakers.
24:50The Lakers, by the way, are in action tonight as well.
24:53They host the Washington Wizards.
24:55The Lakers, if you haven't been paying attention,
24:57have won 11 of their last 12 games.
25:00Yeah.
25:01That shapes up to be a beauty tomorrow night.
25:03And then the Cavs will be in San Francisco on Thursday to take on the Warriors.
25:07The Warriors are desperately battling to try to get out of that 9 and 10 range.
25:12Yeah.
25:13Get into a 7 and 8 spot for the play in tournament.
25:15Shooter Enola finds Mobley.
25:17Mobley twists inside on Shibway.
25:19Off it goes Tyrese Proctor.
25:21Proctor a pretty pass.
25:23He'll find Tomlin.
25:24Tomlin at the doorstep.
25:25Banks it in.
25:26Very nice pass from Proctor down to Tomlin.
25:28Good quick play.
25:29Gets an easy basket.
25:31Talk about those Lakers, man.
25:32Luka has scored like 30 points in 10 of the last 12 games.
25:35And they're just phenomenal, man.
25:37They are playing great basketball.
25:39Hey.
25:39Proctor gets pushed from behind.
25:40Puts it up and in.
25:42And Tyrese Proctor has a chance for the three-point play as it was Mitchell with a beauty of an
25:47outlet pass to set up the sequence.
25:51Tyrese Proctor's come in and so I'm coming into Miami the other night, getting some minutes and starting to take
25:56advantage of this opportunity.
25:57I think young man's got tremendous talent.
25:59It's going to be a heck of a pro.
26:00This is a great pass.
26:02Glad to see something good happen for him, especially since his Duke Blue Devils got waxed yesterday.
26:08He didn't get a hearing for me on that.
26:11I do like the young man.
26:12He's one of my favorite ex-Dookies.
26:16Good young man is Tyrese.
26:17He is a good young man.
26:18He works hard.
26:18Works really hard.
26:20Got a bright future.
26:21Tyrese in the Cavs.
26:22We're in the midst of an 8-0 run.
26:25Back in the ball game is Stelepowski.
26:26He misses a three.
26:28I'm thinking that thought about the Lakers.
26:30Luka Doncic, by the way, tonight serves a one-game suspension because he picked up 16 technicals.
26:35That's how it works.
26:36Proctor for a three.
26:37Nice job.
26:37He buries it from the corner.
26:39It's almost as if Luka timed it out, didn't he, for the home game against the Wizards.
26:44He didn't say anything.
26:46Which, if you watch Luka play, he's constantly talking to the officials.
26:51He swears it.
26:52He didn't say nothing.
26:53He speaks four different languages fluently.
26:56They usually take your pick.
26:57To the officials.
26:58Yeah, take your pick.
26:58The entire game.
27:00Anyways, he somehow magically picked tonight to serve his one-game suspension.
27:05And he'll be available tomorrow.
27:07He'll be ready tomorrow.
27:08Mitchell tears to the basket.
27:09And Will Hardy needs a timeout as the Cavaliers restore some order here early in the second quarter.
27:14They flex their muscles, and they have opened up this 14-point lead.
27:28Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers are on top of the Jazz.
27:3144-30.
27:338-29 to go here in the first half.
27:34Here's our Allison Jewelers time to get engaged feature.
27:38Let's take a look at the Eastern Conference standings.
27:41Scoreboard watching.
27:43Take center stage often at this time of the season.
27:46Miami tonight beat Philadelphia 119-109.
27:51We take a look at the updated standings.
27:53The Hawks are about to finish off the Celtics at home.
27:56They're leading in the final minute by ten.
27:58Boy, the Hawks are making a charge for that five spot.
28:02They're playing some terrific basketball.
28:04The Heat, by the way, had lost seven of eight.
28:06The Magic also have lost seven of eight, so still a lot to play for as, meanwhile,
28:11Chandler had it knocked away momentarily.
28:13Can it be Chandler gets it back?
28:15The Jazz reset.
28:17Five shows on the shot clock.
28:19Bez, and bang for three.
28:21And bang on a ten-day contract.
28:24Played four seasons at Yale between 2021 and 2025.
28:29As Mitchell slashes, deals to Proctor.
28:31Proctor to the standstill three.
28:33That's no good, and rebounded on the weak side by Ace Bailey.
28:39Tomlin, Mitchell, Schroeder, Mobley, and Proctor make up the Cavalier five
28:43as Bailey finds M-Bang.
28:46M-Bang is the three-time Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year.
28:52Also on Player of the Year last season did M-Bang as Proctor picks up the personal.
28:58Got to see that.
28:59Let's see it again.
28:59Looked like he just lost the basketball.
29:01Looked like Theresa's in good defensive position.
29:05But I love the fact that, like I say, Theresa and they're going to get in quality.
29:10Man, it's early on.
29:11This is critical to see who's going to be that eighth or ninth guy in the playoffs
29:15to see if he hits him on the arm.
29:17Yeah, you got him right there.
29:18Good call by the official.
29:22Kenny said just moments before the game, one of the bright spots, obviously,
29:26of having players in and out of the lineup is that he would trust the Naquan
29:30in the playoffs to be the ninth man.
29:33I heard him say that.
29:34He said he didn't really have Thomas Bryant in his top ten plans coming into this season.
29:38Now Bryant is a huge piece of what this team does.
29:42So it's going to be interesting.
29:44He will have options.
29:45Will Kenny, and, you know, you'd have to believe, you'd imagine that the matchup
29:49is going to dictate so much as Mobley continues to carve his way inside and will.
29:54Yeah, it's right.
29:55The matchups will dictate everything, but T.B. has worked himself into that rotation
29:59and Naquan and Therese.
30:02They've got to keep playing hard because they could be very valuable.
30:05Bailey stops.
30:06Twists and scores.
30:08Bailey's up to a nice start.
30:09He has 11.
30:10He's the high man for the Jazz.
30:12He approached the seven-minute mark.
30:14Cavs by nine.
30:15James Harden has dished out five assists already here this evening.
30:19As back it goes to Merrill.
30:21Merrill works in toward Bailey.
30:23Doesn't hesitate.
30:23His three is no good.
30:25He's poking it up and into his proctor.
30:27Boy, that was a terrific play.
30:28It appeared that the Jazz had that ball surrounded,
30:31but Proctor found a way to get his hand on it
30:33and give the Cavaliers this 48-37 edge.
30:36Proctor's had a lot of energy.
30:37I like his aggressiveness.
30:40Learned a lot this season.
30:41Got to play early and, you know, play well,
30:44and then learned some things about the physical stature and strength
30:46that takes to play.
30:47He's worked hard in that weight room, John.
30:49Like what I'm seeing.
30:51Cavs turn it over.
30:52Cody Williams now has eight points.
30:55He's coming off a night he'd like to forget Saturday in Phoenix
30:58where in 29 minutes he went 0 for 9 from the field
31:01and was held scoreless.
31:03He's the younger brother of Oklahoma City's Jalen Williams.
31:06They got a nice win last night as they took out the Knicks.
31:10They did get a good win, man.
31:12I tell you, they're the only team that's been consistent throughout the year.
31:15Just no matter what everybody's saying,
31:17everybody's complaining about these guys foul.
31:19They do this, they do that, but they just win.
31:21They just win.
31:22Everybody's complaining and they just keep rolling right along.
31:25Thunder play the tail end of a back-to-back tonight against the Pistons.
31:30He's driving and floating it up.
31:31It's going to be Chandler.
31:32Chandler making his first NBA start.
31:34Can't get it to go.
31:37In his second NBA season, Chandler appeared in 36 games with Memphis
31:41through the 22-23 season, like the four NBA G League teams in between.
31:48So congratulations to Chandler back in the NBA.
31:52That ball gets knocked away from Maryland out of bounds
31:54as Sam wants a challenge.
31:56Kenny Atkinson will take a timeout.
32:00Oh, good challenge.
32:01Good job.
32:02Yeah.
32:03Ball got slapped out of Sam's hand.
32:04Plus he's at home.
32:05He wouldn't feel at home.
32:06Come on.
32:09We're going to see.
32:13Warm night in Salt Lake City.
32:16It's just past the midway point of the second quarter.
32:20The Cavs are on top of the home.
32:22Jazz 48-39.
32:23This was challenged by Kenny Atkinson,
32:26and he wins the challenge that originally was ruled Jazz basketball.
32:30The Cavs, however, have called for a shot clock violation,
32:34and the ball goes over to Utah.
32:36I think, yeah, I would trust Sam if I was a coach.
32:39I don't trust any rest of them.
32:40I trust Sam.
32:41Sam's like going to pull the wool over there.
32:46Sam's in that good category.
32:49Jazz one or two here.
32:51Trustable category.
32:53I don't know how you label that.
32:54Yeah.
32:55Reliable category?
32:56Yeah, kind of.
32:57Something like that.
32:57That's going to go.
32:58Philipowski for three.
32:59It's his third triple.
33:00Philipowski leads the Jazz with 13 points.
33:03He's cut the Cavalier lead to 48-42.
33:08Hard and bothered by Williams.
33:10Williams got shorted by Bryant.
33:12However, a steal by Philipowski, and he'll go all the way.
33:15We mentioned it earlier.
33:17Kyle Philipowski has had a really good couple of weeks here for this Jazz club.
33:23Well, he showed some great footwork there, stepping out as a big guy,
33:27intercepting that basketball.
33:29That's big-time stuff.
33:30That's great speed.
33:32Merrill's three is no good out of bounds.
33:35It goes last off Keyon Ellis.
33:39Jazz have put together a 14-4 run and trim this Cavalier lead to four.
33:46The Cavs can put together a good solid defensive stance here.
33:52Play five minutes of good, smart defense.
33:54Be aggressive.
33:55Like I say, I love to double-team the basketball.
33:57We'll see double-teams.
33:58I see a little zone every once in a while as well, just to mix it up,
34:01make it hard on this team.
34:05Both Ellis and Philipowski ended up on the floor.
34:07Ellis got called for the foul.
34:09I see how much good your conversation with J.B. DeRosa did.
34:12Yeah, he's off.
34:13He ain't getting a ride for sure now.
34:15I guarantee you that.
34:17Bailey for three.
34:18They have forced it.
34:20Hard and got a hand up to contest.
34:22Rebounded by Bryant.
34:23Out gallops Tyrese Proctor.
34:26They're out here with Harden, Merrill, and Ellis.
34:30Merrill creeps baseline to the shoulder from Chandler.
34:32Finds the cutter.
34:33And Proctor, he throws it.
34:34Floats it with the left hand.
34:35He left it short, however, as it's rebounded by M. Bang.
34:38M. Bang scurries into the forecourt.
34:42Good work on Merrill.
34:43Down the alley he goes.
34:44Good defense by Sam Merrill.
34:45Great job moving his feet.
34:48And as an over and back violation, credit Sam Merrill breath.
34:52Yeah, nice job.
34:53That was the excellent defense on that exterior that we're talking about all the time.
34:57He's moving his feet exceptionally well.
35:00This is the little thing that's our little bugaboo.
35:03Move your feet, move your feet, move your feet.
35:04Nice, nice.
35:05Don't allow him to turn the corner.
35:07That's excellent defense by Sam Merrill.
35:14Cavaliers 48, Jazz 44.
35:17Harden shovels with Donovan Mitchell, who's back in the ballgame.
35:19Donovan takes a dribble.
35:21Whoa!
35:21Fires a 15-footer straight up into the rafters and drops it through.
35:25Yeah, and a 15-footer shot at 30 feet high.
35:27Nice touch by Donovan.
35:29Got to get Donovan going.
35:30He's got James Harden going.
35:31Put some pressure on these guys defensively.
35:33Get some fouls on him.
35:35Get the free throw line.
35:37Bryant with the intercept.
35:39And then Ellis gets poked in the face by Filipowski.
35:41Both Mitchell and Harden have been efficient.
35:43Donovan's 5 of 8.
35:45James is 3 of 4.
35:47Mobley's 6 of 8.
35:49Cavs as a team are shooting 54% as Bryant with the deflection.
35:55And then Ellis with the quick hands and the slap to his face.
35:58Good job.
35:58Yeah.
35:59That's so much energy on both ends of the floor.
36:01It just automatically elevates your energy as a team.
36:05So, need him on the court.
36:06He's just so, so aggressive and dynamic.
36:09Plays at 100% speed.
36:11Really forces the other guys to step it up a notch.
36:15Harden works up.
36:16Cody Williams strikes him off.
36:17A foul is called.
36:20Harden had it up.
36:21He threw a shoulder to the 21-year-old.
36:24And it's Williams who picks up the foul.
36:28Harden is so hard to stay in front of.
36:30He gets you on his hip.
36:31That's pretty good defense.
36:33Then he stepped back across the young man who's moving to his right.
36:37Then James steps to the right.
36:39It's so hard.
36:41That's where the foul goes.
36:44Harden misses his first as we pause for a word from Auto Owners Insurance.
36:49Auto Owners customizes your policies.
36:51So when the unexpected happens, you know you're covered at Simple Human Sense.
36:5628% of James Harden's total points come from the free throw line.
37:01Absolutely.
37:02Just an absolutely mechanic.
37:05Third highest percentage in the end.
37:06They should call it the mechanic because he just absolutely dismantles you.
37:10And, you know, it is a long night's work even at 36 years of age guarding James Harden.
37:17Filipowski penetrates.
37:18He sweeps one out to Williams.
37:21And, you see, Williams didn't want that three.
37:23Williams shoots threes at just 23%.
37:25But, boy, he's been good for the mid-range here in this first half.
37:28Williams now has five field goals for ten points.
37:33Ellis.
37:34Nice job moving zone defense here.
37:38Love a little zone throw, man, every time.
37:41It just disrupts every team in this league.
37:43You don't want it for a steady diet because the guys are too good.
37:45But every eighth play, it's really –
37:50There's a reach right there.
37:52That's what we're talking about.
37:53Don't reach.
37:54Move your feet.
37:56Yep.
37:56Move your feet.
37:57Watch this.
37:58Watch him reach.
38:00See, that's not what you want.
38:02Can't do that.
38:03Cannot do that in the NBA.
38:04That's a foul every time.
38:07Got to get your body over there.
38:11Mobley has picked up his third.
38:14Williams, who was picked tenth overall in the 2024 draft in his second NBA season.
38:21Highs the target.
38:24A really good touch does Williams.
38:28Fresh-faced young man.
38:29Very young looking.
38:31Got a really good – got a lot of talent, a lot of ability.
38:34Good athlete.
38:35Good length.
38:37Gets into the passing lanes.
38:38He continues to develop his trade.
38:40He's going to be a really good NBA player.
38:41This is a Jazz team that really is built through the draft.
38:45Six of their rotation players have been added through the draft over the last three seasons.
38:50Six, it was eight before they sent Walter Clayton and Taylor Hendricks to Memphis in that Jaron Jackson deal.
38:56Really?
38:56That's incredible.
38:57They got a plan.
38:58They got a plan.
38:59Yeah.
38:59I admire it.
39:02Hard to do with all the experts and pundits.
39:05The noise, it's hard to stick with a plan.
39:07Bailey was looking for Chandler.
39:09That pass went awry.
39:16Kennedy Chandler has played six games now for the Jazz.
39:19In his first five, Chandler is here on a ten-day.
39:23He did not get cheated.
39:24He took 56 big shots and just about 36 assists.
39:28I have been in the NBA G League too long.
39:31That's right.
39:31It's going up.
39:32I'm going home or it's going up.
39:34Merrill got Conchard to lean.
39:36More and more of Sam Merrill we've seen this second half,
39:39and particularly just driving the basketball.
39:41Everybody expects him to shoot threes, which he does fantastically,
39:44but driving to that basket's made him a different weapon on that basketball court.
39:48Mobley with quick hands.
39:49He's playing here with three fouls.
39:52Harden off to Mitchell.
39:53Mitchell for Evan Mobley.
39:55Mobley takes his time and throws it down.
39:57Good unselfish basketball by Donovan Mitchell.
40:01Feed the big guy.
40:02Got you a steal on the other end.
40:04Mobley now has a crisp seven of nine from the field.
40:07He has 14.
40:08Sensabaw.
40:10Off it goes to Williams.
40:15Mobley tracks the other way.
40:17Has a half step on Sensabaw.
40:19Euro steps inside.
40:20Missed the shot.
40:21Can he get it back?
40:22He does as he pokes it off to Ellis.
40:24Mitchell from long range.
40:27Mobley was able to knock that off the foot of one of the Jazz inside,
40:30and the ball will stay with the Cavaliers.
40:33Great hustle by Evan Mobley.
40:34Just kept his body moving even with those fouls.
40:37He still was keeping that basketball alive.
40:40See a nice pass here.
40:41Good job by James getting that ball to Sam.
40:43He just breaks down the defender.
40:44Nice job at smart basketball play.
40:47Ellis inside.
40:49He gives the Cavaliers this 57-48 lead.
40:57Sensabaw.
40:57Looks to size up.
40:58Mitchell cannot penetrate.
41:00Goes to Williams.
41:01Gets it back.
41:02Got loads of three.
41:03It's pretty easy, like I said.
41:05It's one pick and roll, and it's just one-on-one basketball.
41:08He's got to defend the guy who's in front of him.
41:11Cavs need to adjust to that a little bit, a little bit more aggressively.
41:16Harden uses a Merrill.
41:17Screen lobs toward Mobley.
41:19Mobley draws a crowd.
41:20Finds the cutter.
41:21It's Merrill once again.
41:22Nice job.
41:23So now Evans becoming so dominant on that block.
41:26The double teams have to come get him.
41:27When they do that, all he's doing is watching Sam Merrill's man run at him.
41:31You throw it right over his shoulder.
41:32Nice pass.
41:33This is the Cavs starting five on the floor.
41:35If he just joined us, no Jared Allen, no Max Struess.
41:40Look at this.
41:40This is just one-on-one basketball.
41:42This is not a play.
41:45Sensiball makes it work.
41:49Eight now for Sensiball.
41:51He let the Buckeyes in scoring back during the 22-23 season.
41:54Also a three-point percentage did Bryce.
41:59All Big Ten third-teamer.
42:01Look at that inbounds.
42:02Pass to find Keon Ellis.
42:05Nice job there.
42:07Smart play.
42:07Good, well-designed play.
42:08Executed extremely well.
42:12The Cavs are doing work inside.
42:1542-18 points in the paint.
42:17Make it 44-18 as Mobley has yet another dunk.
42:20Got no answer for him, obviously, so just be patient.
42:22Play through Evan every play.
42:25Just keep destroying him.
42:28There's about a six-second difference between shot clock and game clock.
42:32Chandler's watched by Ellis.
42:34This is the Cavs starting five near this evening.
42:37Ellis, Merrill out there with Mobley.
42:39Mitchell and Harden as Chandler can't get it to go.
42:43Rebounded by Merrill with the shot clock off.
42:45Well defended by Sam Merrill again.
42:48Another great example of good, hard defense moving your feet.
42:51Mitchell crossed over.
42:52Chandler looks it off the window.
42:54Beats the buzzer, and Donovan Mitchell gives the Cavaliers the 63-53 lead.
43:00Yeah, the Cavs did a great job of really attacking on that offensive end.
43:03Got to do a better job of the defense.
43:05They'll make adjustments.
43:05Let's see if they can shore it up.
43:09Mitchell goes for 17 first-half points against his former club.
43:14Evan Mobley 16 as they lead the way for this Cavalier team.
43:19The Cavs have a ten-point advantage going into the locker room
43:22on the Jazz side of the ledger.
43:24It was Filipowski with 15, Williams with...
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